Volvo VN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
52 owner complaints analyzed
47 distinct recall campaigns
212,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 to 2027 model years. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 52 complaints (23.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 10 | 19.2% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 13.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 5.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 5.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.9% |
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 | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Tires | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 2 |
Suspension: 12; Unknown Or Other: 8; Electrical System: 5; Tires: 5; Exterior Lighting: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 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 | 8 |
Under 25,000: 2; 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: 8
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 40 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2000: 4; 2001: 8; 2002: 6; 2003: 1; 2005: 4; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 5; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 2; 2016: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2024: 5; 2025: 5; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 565265 · 2001-08-15 (August 15, 2001)
VEHICLE'S STEERING BOX FELL OUT. *JG
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 565265 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10357868 · 2010-09-27 (September 27, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLVO VN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SPORADICALLY BECOME EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STEERING DRAG LINK WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL CONCERNING THE STEERING DRAG LINK IN SEPTEMBER 2010. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 600,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 600,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10357868 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 559640 · 2001-02-13 (February 13, 2001)
THE BRAKES ON THE HUB DID NOT FULLY RELEASE CAUSING A FIRE IN THE RIGHT FRONT HUB OF THE TANDEMS (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 559640 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 863631 · 2000-06-15 (June 15, 2000)
BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING A GRINDING NOISE AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 863631 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 565062 · 2002-04-11 (April 11, 2002)
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 565062 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132045 · 2005-08-09 (August 9, 2005)
DT:HISTORY OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE OF SEMI-TRUCK. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEEDS OR EVEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR THE TRUCK STOPS WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE ENGINE DIES AND LOSES ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. SEVERAL TIMES, THE ENGINE STALLED FOR A SECOND AND THEN QUIT. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE BLOWEN OUT 30 AMP AND 15 AMP FUSES. THERE IS A LOAD OF 75-80,000 POUNDS, AND VEHICLE STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC. HAS BEEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, SAID WARRANTY EXPIRED AAFTER ONE YEAR. DEALER TRIED TO FIX SOME ELECTRI…
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 10132045 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 ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 3 |
| 2027 | 1 |
2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2018: 0; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 6; 2023: 9; 2024: 7; 2025: 8; 2026: 3; 2027: 1
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 | 1 | Not available |
| 1997 | 0 | 9 | +8 |
| 1998 | 9 | 6 | -3 |
| 1999 | 8 | 5 | -1 |
| 2000 | 5 | 2 | -3 |
| 2001 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 | 5 | +3 |
| 2003 | 3 | 4 | -1 |
| 2004 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 2005 | 2 | 2 | -2 |
| 2006 | 2 | 4 | +2 |
| 2007 | 3 | 3 | -1 |
| 2008 | 2 | 2 | -1 |
| 2009 | 0 | 4 | +2 |
| 2010 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 | 2 | -2 |
| 2012 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2013 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2014 | 2 | 1 | -1 |
| 2015 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 | 2 | +1 |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | Not available |
| 2019 | 0 | 1 | +1 |
| 2020 | 5 | 2 | +1 |
| 2021 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 6 | +4 |
| 2023 | 0 | 9 | +3 |
| 2024 | 1 | 7 | -2 |
| 2025 | 0 | 8 | +1 |
| 2026 | 0 | 3 | -5 |
| 2027 | 0 | 1 | -2 |