2016 Volvo VNL: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 12 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train; the 2014 and 2015 and 2017 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My stupid dealer cit trucks could not find y my truck was shaking so they played with transmission programing its an I shift no clutch peddle . Stonington il. Got fuel at f.s. Coming back cross rail road tracks and tried to stop for rt 48 . The clutch would not release .this the 4 time .”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2017
“New volvo truck mid march 2016 it had a shake that got worse . My dealer cit trucks was to stupid find the problem. Anther dealer look at it. The rear drive shaft was out of phase but how after almost 80000 miles the rear ends are going out . My truck is not the only one out there . Videos can be seen at you tube- volvo shakes and volvo truck shakes”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2016 volvo vnl semi-truck. While driving various low and high speeds, the vehicle vibrated. A series of independent mechanics confirmed that the driveshaft was loose within the transmission. Vomac sales and service mack (5556 east margaret drive, terre haute, indiana 47803, (812) 233-6406) was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown. *tt”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Volvo and mack trucks drive shafts out of phase. Making it shake and eat up tires and wear truck out should be recalled”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2016 volvo vnl630. The contact stated that the vehicle arrived from the manufacturer with a rear driveshaft that was not calibrated. The driveshaft was three times over the maximum specifications where the transmission and driveshaft were attached. The failure in manufacturing caused a considerable amount of vibration while the vehicle was being driven at any speed. Cit trucks (located at 3440 gatlin dr, springfield, il 62707, (217) 544-5300) as well as several unknown dealers were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100. The VIN was invalid.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2016
“Front wheels loose from factor and dealer didn't check, tires psi 1/2 what should been , drive shaft out of phase . Damage the truck more .I know of about 20 of these truck with the drive shaft problem . Dealer and factor wont fix/ this is not safe”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2016 volvo vnl. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the cab would sway back and forth causing the vehicle to lean to the side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the cab bushings were and cab needed to be leveled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2016 volvo vnl. While driving at an unknown speed, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle violently shook without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2016 volvo vnl. While driving at various speeds and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the contact felt an abnormal vibration in the wheels. The vehicle independently veered to the left, especially during inclement weather. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the brake drums were changed, but the remedy failed to repair the failure. The contact stated that the failure recurred after the repair. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2016 volvo vnl. While driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle shook violently. While driving in the rain, the vehicle independently veered to the left. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer on three separate occasions to diagnose and repair the issue; however, the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 5,000.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Volvo VNL trucks equipped with Cummins ISX15 diesel engines. In certain driving conditions, such as on a long down-hill grade, the fuel line may burst if the fuel pump cooling circuit screen becomes restricted.
Remedy: Cummins will notify owners, and dealers will replace the single screen filter banjo bolt will be replaced with a dual screen filter banjo bolt, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1802.
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2015 and 2016 VNX and VNL trucks manufactured from May 20, 2014, through March 6, 2015, equipped with certain Haldex Life Seal Type 30/30 Long Stroke Air Brake Actuators manufactured January 9, 2014, to October 28, 2014. The affected actuators may have an incomplete attachment of the internal rubber diaphragm to the actuation mechanism of the parking brake section of the Life Seal actuator.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator and replace, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1501.
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 VT trucks manufactured from April 9, 2008, through September 24, 2009, and certain 2016 model VNL and VNM trucks manufactured from January 2, 2015, through to November 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with USK non-greasable drag links that may experience corrosion of the ball joints due to the seals being compromised, possibly resulting in accelerated wear and failure of the ball joint.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drag links, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1601. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall 15V-651.
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 VNL, VNX, and VNM trucks manufactured from May 11, 2015, through April 18, 2016. The trucks may have been manufactured without a roll pin on the steering shafts. If the roll pin is missing, the lower steering shaft may disconnect from the junction block. Also, the bolt connecting the upper steering shaft to the lower steering shaft may not have been properly tightened. Either condition can lead to separation of the steering shaft.
Remedy: Volvo is strongly recommending that the affected vehicles not be driven until the interim remedy is applied. An interim notice was sent to Volvo owners on March 16, 2016, and an interim repair is available now. A second notice was mailed on May 13, 2016. The final remedy is now available. Both remedies are free of charge. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-877-800-4945 opt #1. Volvo's recall numbers for this campaign are RVXX1602 and RVXX1603. This recall supersedes safety recall 15V-786.
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 VNL and VNM trucks and certain model year 2017 VNX trucks. In the affected vehicles, incorrect software for controlling the electronic air dryer may result in oil and water contaminating the brake system.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module and replace the air dryer filter, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1608.
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2016 Volvo VNL and VNM trucks equipped with certain Dana Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nut and tie rod, tightening it as necessary. If the tie rod stud and knuckle on units cannot be sufficiently torqued, the dealer will replace the knuckle and tie rod end assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1702.
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.
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Is the 2016 Volvo VNL reliable?
NHTSA has 12 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Volvo VNL. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2016 Volvo VNL have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel. 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.