2006 Volvo VNL: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 7 owner complaints on record; most reports concern exterior lighting; the 2008 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Was driving north on interstate 95 at 55 mph, went to turn wheel on curve, and had complete loss of steering. Wheel turned, but wheels stayed straight. Was surrounded by at least 10 other vehicles who were able to move out of the way. I then ran off side of road into ditch with trailer attached carrying 40,000 pounds was stuck in the highway.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2016
“Vehicle was inspected at a local shop where they advised that the drag link was on recall and it had to be replaced due to a safety issue. Drag link was in a very bad shape and I was advised that I was not to conduct driving in that condition. Repairs have been processed, now I need to be paid for the recall part. Please contact me directly for more information. VIN: [xxx] yr: 2006 model: vnl make: volvo information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2011
“2006 volvo vnl64t, unit 2 tire and rim came off at mile post 57.8. Unit 2 didn't realize he lost his tire and rim until he was at mile post 53. Supplemented oh-2 with turnpike damage. Several vehicles were damage. *bf ohio traffic crash police report numbers;10-0237-89, 10-0238-89, and 10-0240-898. *jb updated 08/05/10 *bf updated 10/13/10. *lj the consumer stated the wheels did not come off the power unit. The tire and rims came off the trailer. Updated 10/19/10”Owner report · Wheels · Jun 2010
Show 3 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 volvo vnl. The contact stated that when driving at night, the clear plastic that covered the headlight assembly would impair the distance of illumination causing him to utilize the high beams instead in order to properly see the roadway. The dealer was notified who advised the contact to purchase a kit to improve the illumination distance. The contact did not inform the manufacturer of the failure nor was the vehicle repaired or diagnosed. The current mileage was approximately 430,000 and the failure mileage was approximately 300,000. Updtated 2/17/11 *cn the consumer replaced the lights. Updated 02/28/11”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2009
“I drive a 2006 vnl volvo when the headlights are on dim you cannot hardly see the road most of the time especially when it is raining I have spoken to many drivers with this same type of truck and they all say the same thing about the poor lighting system when on dim I have checked everything to try and figure out the cause or reason for this including how many volts are getting to the lights and even replacing the bulbs many times with different brands and using a higher wattage bulb with no better results many times I have almost been in a wreck because of this and would like to see volvo correct this problem I have driven this truck since it was new and it has always been this way. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2009
“Russo trucking, corp. Owns two volvo trucks with major steering and front axle problems, which volvo trucks of north america and the dealer nextran truck center at pompano beach, fl seems that can't fix, we have taken our trucks to try to fix the problem to several places, and nobody has been able to fix it, we are afraid that our volvo trucks can cause an accident. I will mention some of the shops where we have taken our trucks: ml tire in miami, volvo in pompano beach, fl, josan in orlando, fl, volvo dealer in nc, volvo dealer in knoxville, tn, volvo dealer in arkansas, volvo dealer in chattanooga, tn, volvo dealer in ct. Etc. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2006
Recalls - 7 campaigns
CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT STEER AXLE AIR SUSPENSION MAY DEVELOP A FRONT WHEEL WOBBLE WHEN THE TIRES BECOME WORN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE THE FRONT VERTICAL SHOCKS ON EACH SIDE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND ADD A HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING 127,764 MY 2001-2008 VHD, VNL, VNM, AND MY 2005-2008 VT TRUCKS. A SEAL MAY FAIL ALLOWING WATER AND CONTAMINANTS TO SEEP INTO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.
Remedy: VOLVO WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. SINCE THIS RECALL INVOLVES A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES, VOLVO WILL RELEASE THE RECALL IN STAGES AS PARTS ARE RECEIVED. PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO THE VEHICLES LOCATED IN THE REGIONS/STATES THAT HAVE A CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2006 VNL AND VNM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED WITH A TRW SEALED DRAG LINKS. CERTAIN FACTORS CAN EXIST, WHICH IF LEFT UNTREATED MAY RESULT IN A BALL SOCKET SEPARATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE BALL SOCKET OR THE DRAG LINK AS REQUIRED IF NECESSARY. AS PARTS ARE LIMITED, VOLVO TRUCKS MAILED AN INTERIM OWNER LETTER ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2010. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING 366 MY 2006-2009 VNL TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SUPER SINGLE TIRES, BENDIX BRAKE CAM TUBES, AND VOLVO AIR SUSPENSION. THE VIBRATION FREQUENCY FROM THE SUSPENSION WITH SUPER SINGLE TIRES MAY RESULT IN A FATIGUE CRACK OF THE MOUNTING BRACKETS FOR THE BRAKE CAM TUBE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A SUPPORT BRACKET TO THE BRAKE CAM TUBE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH D12D ENGINES, THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) COOLER INLET PIPES OR THE PIPES THAT CONNECT THE EGR VALVES TO THE COOLER MAY CRACK OR BREAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE EGR COOLER PIPES AS REQUIRED AND INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM OWNER LETTER WAS MAILED ON FEBRUARY 17, 2006, TO ADVISE ON PRECAUTIONS THAT THE OWNER CAN TAKE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED STARTING MARCH 3, 2006, THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION (I.E. AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT BREAKERS) USED TO PROTECT THE VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS WITH FUSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 25, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE TIRE SIZE DESIGNATION ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS NOT SHOWN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CERTIFICATION LABELS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
How other years compare
Check your exact VNL by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Volvo VNL reliable?
NHTSA has 7 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Volvo VNL. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting.
Does the 2006 Volvo VNL have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning wheels. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.