2015 Volvo VNL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 5 complaints (60.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 3 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Suspension: 3; Steering: 1; Structure:Body: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior 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 10701592 · 2015-03-24 (March 24, 2015)
FROM RECEIPT OF THIS VEHICLE, AND ESPECIALLY SINCE PLACED INTO SERVICE, WE HAVE COMPLAINED TO VOLVO ABOUT THE RIDE OF THE TRUCK. INITIALLY, THE CAB WOULD BOTTOM OUT AND IT SWAYED EXCESSIVELY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. WE CONSULTED WITH VOLVO TECHS, WITH REGARDS TO WHAT THIS MIGHT BE, AND WERE TOLD THAT THEY HAD BEEN SEEING THIS IN NUMEROUS OTHER VOLVO 780'S AND WERE UNSURE THE CAUSE OR THE CURE. AS TIME PROGRESSED, THE PROBLEMS BECAME WORSE. IT BECAME HARD TO RIDE IN THE CAB, AS IT BEGAN TO BOTTOM OUT AT THE LEAST OF ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS WAS CAUS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10701592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10747593 · 2015-08-10 (August 10, 2015)
WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH OUR VEHICLE FROM THE BEGINNING. WE FILED AN EARLIER COMPLAINT. WE HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING COMING FROM THAT COMPLAINT, BUT HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH AN ODI INVESTIGATOR. WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD, OUR TRUCK HIT A BRIDGE ABUTMENT AND THE CAB BOTTOMED OUT HARD ON THE CHASSIS AND THE CAB SWAYED AGGRESSIVELY TO THE POINT THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL. I WAS IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT BOTTOMED OUT AND FELT AN INTENSE PAIN GO FROM MY LOWER BACK AND UP THROUGH MY SPINE TO MY HEAD. THE TRUCK SWAYED AND JERKED…
Owner-reported narrative. 79,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10747593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10852592 · 2016-03-30 (March 30, 2016)
MY 2015 VOLVO SEMI HAS BEEN THE ROUGHEST RIDING TRUCK I HAVE BEEN IN. IT HAS FRONT AIR RIDE SUSPENSION, AND EXHIBITS UNUSUALLY HEAVY CAB SWAY, AND TAKES A LOT OF ATTENTION AND STEERING INPUT TO STAY IN ITS OWN LANE. I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT NUMEROUS TIMES TO.THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT NEW FROM, AND DISCUSS IT WITH OTHER VOLVO DEALERS AROUND THE COUNTRY. I AM NOT NEW TO VOLVO. I DROVE 8 DIFFERENT ONES FROM 2006 THRU 2008 WHILE EMPLOYED AT KNIGHT TRANSPORTATION. SINCE BUYING IT BRAND NEW I HAVE: 1. REPLACED LEAKING CAB SHOCK ON DRIVER…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10852592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10897323 · 2016-08-20 (August 20, 2016)
HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/EU119G9VYCU THIS NEW TRUCK BOUGHT MID MARCH 29K MILES PARTS R COMING LOSE DEALER AND VOLVO GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND ON FIXING IT ?????? CAN U HELP
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10897323 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11066571 · 2018-02-02 (February 2, 2018)
THE CAB SUSPENSION IS AFFECTED BY SOME TYPE OF MANUFACTURE FAULT, THE CAB IS TWISTED 3 INCHS TO THE LEFT. I HAVE SEEN THE SAME COMPLAINT OF OTHER VOLVO'S VNL MODEL OWNERS. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND REALLY NEED A ATTENTION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11066571 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
9 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V139000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2014-03-24 (March 24, 2014)
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 VNL trucks, and 2013-2014 VNM trucks equipped with certain Cummins Westport Model ISL G and ISX12 G engines. Condensation in the intake manifold may freeze during cold weather conditions and interfere with the proper operation of the intake manifold pressure sensor.
Consequence: The improper operation of the sensor could induce elevated exhaust temperatures or flames from the exhaust pipe, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire or burn injury to a person near the exhaust pipe.
Remedy: Cummins Inc. and Cummins Wesport Inc. will notify owners, and authorized Cummins service facilities will upload a new ECM calibration, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1401.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V356000 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | Forward Collision Avoidance: Crash Imminent Braking
Reported: 2014-06-20 (June 20, 2014)
Volvo Trucks of North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 VNL and 2014-2015 VNM trucks manufactured November 17, 2010, through February 5, 2014, and equipped with enhanced cruise control and without side fairings. In the affected vehicles, the active braking component of the enhanced cruise control can become disabled.
Consequence: If the active braking feature becomes disabled, the vehicle may not automatically activate the brakes as intended when the enhanced cruise control system is in use, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1402.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V555000 · Service Brakes, Air:Disc:Caliper
Reported: 2014-09-11 (September 11, 2014)
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 VAH, VNL, and VNM trucks manufactured March 4, 2013, to April 28, 2014. Due to the bolts holding the disc brake caliper to the backing plate not being tightened to the specified torque, the disc brake caliper may detach from the backing plate.
Consequence: If the disc brake caliper detaches from the backing plate it can affect the brakes to that particular wheel causing the vehicle to "pull" to the left or right, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts to specification, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1403.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V557000 · Electrical System:Software
Reported: 2014-09-11 (September 11, 2014)
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2015 VNL and VNX trucks manufactured January 7, 2014, to June 5, 2014, and equipped with a D16 engine. Due to the engine control unit having an incorrect parameter setting in the software, the engine may stall.
Consequence: An engine stall while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1404.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V739000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2014-11-18 (November 18, 2014)
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012, 2014-2015 VHD, 2012-2015 VNL, and 2014-2015 VNM trucks manufactured June 16, 2011, to August 18, 2014, and equipped with the Eco-Roll option. The affected trucks may fail to re-engage the vehicle drivetrain after using the Eco-Roll feature.
Consequence: If the drivetrain does not re-engage, the vehicle's stopping distance may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo has notified owners, and dealers will update the Eco-Roll software, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1406.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V026000 · Parking Brake:Driveline:Hydraulic:Actuator
Reported: 2015-01-22 (January 22, 2015)
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.
Consequence: If the diaphragm is not completely attached, there may be internal leakage from the service section past the diaphragm, potentially trapping air pressure in the parking brake section. This air pressure in turn, if not vented, may prevent full release of the actuator unit, and may induce brake drag and may result in overheated wheelend service brakes, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V524000 · Service Brakes
Reported: 2015-08-17 (August 17, 2015)
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured May 31, 2011, to December 1, 2014. In the affected trucks, the trailer hand brake handle may not to return to the off position due to being restricted by the cut out in the trim panel.
Consequence: If the brake handle does return to the off position, the trailer service brakes may drag causing the wheel end to overheat and potentially cause a wheel end fire or tire blowout. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the trim panel slot and make it longer, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-258-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1504.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V928000 · Service Brakes, Air
Reported: 2016-12-22 (December 22, 2016)
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.
Consequence: If the brake system becomes contaminated, braking performance could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V617000 · Suspension:Front
Reported: 2019-08-21 (August 21, 2019)
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2015 VNL vehicles equipped with Meritor FF967 Non-Drive Front Steer axles. The axles missed the heat treating operation during manufacturing, reducing their strength and possibly causing the axle beams to fracture.
Consequence: Fracture of the axle beam can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo Trucks will notify the affected vehicle owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the axles as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 27, 2019. Owners may contact Meritor customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks' number for this recall is RVXX1905.
NHTSA campaign record ↗