2020 Volvo VN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
117,990 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 5 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 40.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 |
Electrical System: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Structure: 1; Suspension: 1; Visibility/Wiper: 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 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. 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 11360398 · 2020-09-22 (September 22, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 VOLVO VNL TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLEEPER BUNK WINDOW DETACHED ON TOP HOWEVER, THE BOTTOM BRACKETS PREVENTED THE WINDOW FROM COMPLETELY DETACHING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. WESTFALL GMC TRUCK INC LOCATED AT 3915 RANDOLPH RD, RANDOLPH, MO 6416[phone removed], WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V208000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAI…
Owner-reported narrative. 145,980 miles reported. Look up ODI 11360398 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11416256 · 2021-05-12 (May 12, 2021)
THE OWNER PROGRAMMED A 5 MINUTE IDLE SHUT OFF AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANYTHING FOR ME AS THE DRIVER TO STAY WARM AT NIGHT I WAS DRIVING DURING WINTER AND TRAVELING TO STATES LIKE WYOMING WHERE IT REACHED 23 DEGREES. HE HAS MANY THINGS NOT UP TO DOT REGULATIONS WITH HIS TRUCK, LOT OF THINGS ARE NOT WORKING AND DAMAGED. HE ALSO DIDN'T DO ANY TYPE OF A PRE EMPLOYMENT DRUG TEST OR FOR ANY OF THE OTHER DRIVERS HE HIRED. HE THREATENED NOT TO PAY ME AND WITHHELD MY PAY ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. HE STOLE 800.00 FROM MY BACK ACCOUNT FOR DAMAGES TO HIS COMP…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11416256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11454839 · 2022-03-02 (March 2, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Volvo VNL-860. The contact stated that her husband was driving at 65 MPH and towing a 53-foot trailer, and the steering wheel would overcompensate while making adjustment, left or right to stay centered in lane. The failure lead to constant steering adjustments. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the leaf springs and bushings needed to be replaced. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken to a second dealer …
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11454839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11630307 · 2024-12-12 (December 12, 2024)
The contact owns a 2020 Volvo VN. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V790000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the contact called the local dealer to schedule an appointment and was informed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11630307 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11723271 · 2026-03-10 (March 10, 2026)
I have just purchased this truck to replace an old truck lost due to a total loss . I picked up the truck in South dakota and drove back to Pennsylvania. When setting the parking brakes parked on a small incline with the truck empty the parking brake hold on the front drive axle and it skids those tires when rolling away. However the rear rear drive axle is not equipped with parking brake chambers which results in insufficient braking force to hold the truck in place. The truck has rolled away on me twice since I have purchased it . This is a h…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11723271 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V769000 · Seats:Critical Fasteners
Reported: 2023-11-15 (November 15, 2023)
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2019-2024 VN and VHD vehicles. The passenger side bench seat may be inadequately attached to the floor. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, "Seating Systems" and 210, "Seatbelt Assembly Anchorage."
Consequence: The attachment points may fail, allowing the bench seat to shift and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the weld nut with two nuts and a washer, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 29, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks number for this recall is RVXX2312.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V790000 · Electrical System:Software | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2024-10-23 (October 23, 2024)
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2020-2025 VN, VAH, VHD and VNRE trucks, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop working.
Consequence: Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may have diminished or lost functionality, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Truck's number for this recall is RVXX2409.
NHTSA campaign record ↗