2003 Volvo VN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
247,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1 | 33.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 1 |
| Suspension:Front:Hub | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch: 1; Suspension:Front:Hub: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2005: 2; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10112596 · 2005-03-06 (March 6, 2005)
THE BEARINGS IN THE INTEGRAL HUB/BEARING ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL (STEERING AXLE) FAILED AT 247,000 MILES. THIS IS A UNIT DESIGNED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, AND THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE POSSIBLE. THIS WAS A VERY LOW MILEAGE FOR SUCH A FAILURE. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES WERE CAUSED BY THE FAILURE BECAUSE IT WAS NOTICED BEFORE THAT COULD HAPPEN, BUT SUCH A FAILURE COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. WE PAID APPROXIMATELY $625 FOR PARTS, LABOR, AND SHIPPING FOR A NEW PART. THE DEALERSHIP REMOVED AN IDENTICAL HUB FROM A NEW TRUCK ON TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 247,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112596 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10118023 · 2005-04-17 (April 17, 2005)
HOOD SHOCKS ON VOLVO TRUCKS ARE COMING OFF AT HOOD CONECTION SIDE. WHEN PULLING HOOD OPEN IF BOTH SHOCKS ARE LOSE HOOD CAN COME OVER ON DRIVER, CAUSING DRIVER POSSIBLE INJURIES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10118023 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10354251 · 2010-09-01 (September 1, 2010)
2003 VOLVO 660, UNIT 1 STRUCK THE REAR OF UNIT 2. UNIT 1 THEN WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING TO CLOSELY BEHIND THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF HIM. (OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT # 10-0467-90) *JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10354251 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V077000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Reported: 2004-02-13 (February 13, 2004)
ON CERTAIN HEAVY-DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE ASSEMBLED ENGINE PRE-HEATER JUMPER WIRING HARNESS WAS INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED.
Consequence: THE ENGINE PRE-HEATER COULD OVERHEAT RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE PRE-HEATER AND OTHER ENGINE HEAT SENSITIVE COMPONENTS NEAR THE PRE-HEATER AND THE ABILITY TO RE-START THE ENGINE COULD BE COMPROMISED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE AFFECTED CIRCUITS IN THE JUMPER WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2004. 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V315000 · Trailer Hitches:Fifth Wheel Assembly
Reported: 2004-07-02 (July 2, 2004)
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, A MALFUNCTION IN THE SOLENOID VALVE MAY ALLOW AIR TO BE RELEASED TO FIFTH WHEEL LATCH WHEN THE PARK BRAKE IS ENGAGED.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE FIFTH WHEEL LATCH TO RELEASE INADVERTENTLY WHEN THE PARK BRAKE IS ENGAGED, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF THE TRAILER. A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD AN ADDITIONAL SOLENOID VALVE IN SERIES WITH THE EXISTING PNEUMATIC CIRCUIT FOR THE FIFTH WHEEL AIR RELEASE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-528-6586.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V457000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗12V510000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 2012-10-18 (October 18, 2012)
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2002-2013 VHD and VN trucks, manufactured from August 4, 2000, through June 22, 2012, and equipped with bench passenger seats. The seat belt d-ring weld may not be sufficient enough to meet the seat belt pull test. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Consequence: In the event of a crash, an insufficient seat belt weld may prevent the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant. This increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Remedy: Volvo Trucks of America will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspected d-ring, free of change. The safety recall began on May 10, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.
NHTSA campaign record ↗