2000 Volvo VHD: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2001-03-20 (March 20, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS 8 HEAVY DUTY, AXLE BACK MODEL VEHICLES. THE DESIGN OF THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT BOOT COULD ALLOW THE BOOT TO GET ENTANGLED IN THE UNIVERSAL JOINT.

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR STEERING LOCK-UP.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO REMOVE THE UNIVERSAL JOINT BOOT PER INSTRUCTIONS. IF AN OWNER CHOOSES, A VOLVO TRUCK DEALER CAN PERFORM THE REMEDY FOR THEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Reported: 2001-08-21 (August 21, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS BUILT WITH A STEERABLE AUXILIARY AXLE AND EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN MERITOR-WABCO BRAKE SYSTEM TWO AND FOUR PORT RELAY VALVES. THE VALVE MAY STICK OPEN WHEN A HIGH-PRESSURE APPLICATION IS RELEASED.

Consequence: WHEN THE VALVE STICKS OPEN, IT CAN RESULT IN A TOTAL LOSS OF AIR FROM EITHER THE SERVICE OR THE PARK BRAKE SYSTEM. THE DRIVER MAY LOSE BRAKING ABILITY UNDER A SERVICE APPLICATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE VALVES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 31, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586 OR MERITOR WABCO AT 800-535-5560.

Reported: 2001-07-06 (July 6, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS. THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT MAY SIDE-LOAD THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN NON-UNIFORM STEERING WHEEL EFFORTS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, ONCE THE STEERING WHEEL TURN IS INITIATED, THE VEHICLE MAY CONTINUE TURNING WITHOUT RETURNING TO THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION WITH DRIVER EFFORT.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 19, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Reported: 2002-08-15 (August 15, 2002)

ON SOME HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR AXLE ASSEMBLIES WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH TRW MODEL 20EDL BALL SOCKETS, THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OUT OF THE SOCKET IN SOME APPLICATIONS.

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLIES. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERSEDES NHTSA CAMPAIGN NOS. 01V-139.001 AND 02V-037.002. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 25, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Reported: 2002-06-13 (June 13, 2002)

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 AXLE BACK VEHICLES, THE TELESCOPING STEERING SHAFT IN SOME DRIVING SITUATIONS COULD BOTTOM OUT AND SIDE LOAD THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT WHENEVER THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN IS ADJUSTED TO THE LOWER POSITION.

Consequence: OVER TIME, THIS CONDITION COULD DAMAGE THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RE-DESIGNED STEERING SHAFT, WHICH WILL NOT BOTTOM OUT DURING VEHICLE OPERATION REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN IS POSITIONED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 25, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Reported: 2003-03-20 (March 20, 2003)

CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL TWO-MAN PASSENGER BENCH SEAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." ON THE TWO-MAN PASSENGER BENCH SEAT INBOARD (CENTER) POSITION, SEAT BELT D-RING MOUNTING BRACKET WELDNUT, THE WELD IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE SEAT BELT PULL REQUIREMENTS .

Consequence: THESE TRUCKS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT D-RING MOUNTING BRACKET. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Reported: 2004-09-17 (September 17, 2004)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH VALEO WIPER SYSTEMS, THE WIPER MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIVE TO SALT INTRUSION THAT COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A CONDITION WHERE THE CONNECTOR OVERHEATS TO A POINT WHERE THE CONNECTOR COULD IGNITE.

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, EXCESSIVE HEAT AND SMOKE COULD RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR PLATE ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. PHASE 2 OF THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.