2013 Volvo VNM: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2012-02-01 (February 1, 2012)

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 VHD AND MODEL YEAR 2011-2013 VNL AND VNM VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 2, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2012, AND EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX ATR-6 TRACTION RELAY VALVES. IN EXTREMELY COLD CONDITIONS, THESE BENDIX RELAY VALVES MAY POTENTIALLY DEVELOP INTERNAL LEAKAGE. INTERNAL LEAKAGE CAN LEAD TO AIR PRESSURE BEING DELIVERED TO AFFECTED PRIMARY OR SECONDARY BRAKE CAUSING CONTINUOUS BRAKE APPLICATION.

Consequence: INADVERTENT BRAKE APPLICATION CAN CAUSE THE BRAKES TO OVERHEAT AND LEAD TO A FIRE. INADVERTENT BRAKE APPLICATION CAN CAUSE THE WHEELS TO LOCK-UP LEADING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND PROVIDE A TEMPORARY REPAIR UNTIL BENDIX DEVELOPS A PERMANENT REMEDY. A PERMANENT REMEDY HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Reported: 2013-03-21 (March 21, 2013)

Volvo is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 VHD, VNL, and VNM trucks, manufactured from April 18, 2011, through March 14, 2013, and equipped with a horizontally mounted remote battery disconnect switch. The remote battery disconnect switch was manufactured with incorrect hardware allowing the cables to loosen. Additionally, as mounted, the cables may vibrate and chafe.

Consequence: Loose or chafed cables may lead to overheating of the battery cable and switch which may result in a fire.

Remedy: Volvo will send owners an interim letter and dealers will replace and relocate the remote battery disconnect switch. The recall began on May 7, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo's recall support line at 1-877-800-4945 and select option 1.

Reported: 2013-06-26 (June 26, 2013)

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 VAH, VHD, VNL, VNM, and VT models. The affected vehicles were built without a redundant clutch disengagement switch. Without a redundant switch, a loss of signal from the brake air pressure switch can prevent the clutch from automatically disengaging when the brake is applied.

Consequence: Without a signal to disengage the clutch when the brakes are applied, the distance required to stop the truck may lengthen, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volvo Trucks will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the vehicles if necessary. The recall began on August 26, 2013. Volvo's recall number is RVXX1303. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.

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.

Reported: 2015-05-11 (May 11, 2015)

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 VNM trucks manufactured March 21, 2011, to April 30, 2015. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing engine oil to come into contact with hot surfaces.

Consequence: If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there could be an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will secure the ends of the 90-degree elbow. In addition, the electronic control module (ECM) will be reprogrammed with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit crankcase pressures. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1502.

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.

Reported: 2015-10-13 (October 13, 2015)

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured June 21, 2010, to December 14, 2012. The affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, which, due to cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking mechanism, have a locking mechanism that may fail to operate or to properly engage.

Consequence: If the fifth wheel and locking mechanism are sufficiently damaged, the locking mechanism may fail to operate as intended and the trailer may unexpectedly detach from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and Fontaine dealers will replace the fifth wheel with an Ultra NT model fifth wheel, free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1507.

Reported: 2016-06-27 (June 27, 2016)

Volvo Trucks North America, (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2013 VNM and VNL trucks manufactured April 16, 2012, to May 4, 2012. These vehicles are equipped with certain Meritor FF967 non-drive front steer axles that may have been incorrectly heat treated.

Consequence: The improperly heat treated axles may fracture, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the axles for specific heat code serial numbers. The affected axles will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1605.

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.