2018 Volvo VNL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
300,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 8 complaints (37.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 37.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 12.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 12.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 3 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Power Train: 3; Steering: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 5
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2023: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 11131041 · 2018-09-24 (September 24, 2018)
A PRIOR WRECK HAPPEN SEMI TRUCK TRAILER CROSS MEDIAN AND LAY OVER BLOCKING ALL MY LANES IN THE DARK ON 09/10/18 TIME 0040 HRS RAINING WIPER ON . DID NOT SEE IT TILL FINAL SECONDS ROOF OF SEMI TRAILER FACING ME ON THE GROUND I DROVE THRU THE ROOF OF SEMI TRAILER WITH A LOAD OF CANDY IN IT AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF , EARLY WARNING DISTANCE SENSOR DID NOT GO OFF EXTREME DAMAGE TO FRONT HOOD , CAB AREA MAYBE WITH THE TRAILER IN A ANGLE HIT AND ROOF FACING ME SENSORS DID NOT GO OFF VEHICLE ???
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11131041 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11164980 · 2019-01-07 (January 7, 2019)
THE STEERING WHEEL ON ALL NEW 2018 VOLVO VNL760 TRACTORS IS PAINFUL TO USE, IMPOSSIBLE TO GRIP PROPERLY, AND HAS A MIS-FUNCTIONING TURN SIGNAL LEVER. PLEASE SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=8LT4MCUVUCG
Owner-reported narrative. 625 miles reported. Look up ODI 11164980 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11182763 · 2019-02-27 (February 27, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLVO VNL. WHILE DRIVING 57-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AND WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,421. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 99,421 miles reported. Look up ODI 11182763 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11318728 · 2020-03-19 (March 19, 2020)
ENGINE WORKING NOT PROPERLY AND SHAKING!!!ITS HAPPENED IN 2019 !!! NOW THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN!!!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11318728 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11338922 · 2020-07-12 (July 12, 2020)
2019 COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT UNEVEN WEARING OF THE FRONT TIRES THEY CHECKED ALIGNMENT THEN SAME COMPLAINT IN MARCH 2020 NO DEFECTS FIND THEN IN JULY 02 2020 I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF VIBRATION , AFTER INSPECTION THEY FOUND PLASTIC BUSHINGS FOR BOTH KINGPINS WORN OUT AND REPLACED AS WHOLE SETS. MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT PREMATURE FAILURE COMPONENTS AT 300000 MILES DUE TO USE OF PLASTIC BUSHINGS BY MANUFACTURER. TRUCK WAS USED ON HIGHWAYS NOT AS A VOCATIONAL TRUCK
Owner-reported narrative. 300,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11338922 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11499899 · 2023-01-03 (January 3, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Volvo VNL. The contact stated that while approaching a stop, the clutch failed to disengage. The contact also stated that after decelerating, he depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle rolled back. The contact stated that the check warning light illuminated, indicating to check the transmission at the next stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and produced code: DTC-P107538 (Throttle Actuator Control Module) however, the contact was informed by the dealer that the clutch needed to fail …
Owner-reported narrative. 574,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11499899 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11508392 · 2023-02-21 (February 21, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Volvo VNL Truck. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was lunging forward and failed to properly respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no additional information provided. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the power train warning light illuminated a week later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…
Owner-reported narrative. 600,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11508392 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11508399 · 2023-02-21 (February 21, 2023)
The contact owns a Volvo 2018 VNL64 Commercial vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle would shut down while driving at various speeds. There was no further information provided. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the high pressure fuel pump filter, the differential pressure sensor, the rear wire harness were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing transmission failures and would fail to respond intermittently while reversing. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired.…
Owner-reported narrative. 537,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 11508399 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V668000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel
Reported: 2018-09-25 (September 25, 2018)
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.
Consequence: If the fuel line bursts, fuel may leak onto the road resulting in a roadway hazard for other motorists. The engine may also stall without warning, resulting in the vehicle's inability to restart, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V032000 · Power Train:Clutch Assembly
Reported: 2019-01-14 (January 14, 2019)
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volvo VNL vehicles equipped with an automated manual transmission. An internal component in the clutch assembly may fail, possibly resulting in unintended vehicle movement.
Consequence: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo has notified owners and dealers will update the Transmission Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began February 1, 2019. Owners can contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1901.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V208000 · Structure:Body
Reported: 2019-03-18 (March 18, 2019)
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2018-2020 VNL and VNX vehicles configured as 740 and 760 sleeper models. The sleeper bunk window may detach and fall from the vehicle.
Consequence: If a window detaches from the vehicle, it may strike another vehicle or pedestrian, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Volvo Trucks has notified owners, and dealers will replace the window hinge, free of charge. Owners were notified of the recall on April 8, 2019 and will be sent a second notice when the remedy parts are available. The recall began August 21, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks' number for this recall is RVXX1902.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V509000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers
Reported: 2019-07-02 (July 2, 2019)
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2018-2020 VAH, VHD, VNL, and VNR vehicles. The fuse in the transmission circuit may blow, preventing the transmission from shifting.
Consequence: If the fuse blows the transmission may not shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo Trucks will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuse, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Truck's number for this recall is RVXX1903.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V384000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2020-07-01 (July 1, 2020)
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2021 VNL and VNR buses. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the rear drive axles stated on the Federal Certification Label exceeds the rating of the wheel hubs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Consequence: If the rear axles are overloaded, over time the wheel hubs may fail prematurely, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and send corrected replacement labels, free of charge. The recall began August 18, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX2002.
NHTSA campaign record ↗