2016 Volvo VNL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
30,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 12 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 25.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 25.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 |
Power Train: 6; Service Brakes: 2; Suspension: 2; Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft: 1; Steering: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1; Wheels: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
2016: 5; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 11057890 · 2018-01-01 (January 1, 2018)
MY STUPID DEALER CIT TRUCKS COULD NOT FIND Y MY TRUCK WAS SHAKING SO THEY PLAYED WITH TRANSMISSION PROGRAMING ITS AN I SHIFT NO CLUTCH PEDDLE . STONINGTON IL. GOT FUEL AT F.S. COMING BACK CROSS RAIL ROAD TRACKS AND TRIED TO STOP FOR RT 48 . THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT RELEASE .THIS THE 4 TIME .
Owner-reported narrative. 104,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11057890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11121647 · 2018-08-22 (August 22, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO VNL SEMI-TRUCK. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. A SERIES OF INDEPENDENT MECHANICS CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT WAS LOOSE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. VOMAC SALES AND SERVICE MACK (5556 EAST MARGARET DRIVE, TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA 47803, [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11121647 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10849687 · 2016-03-15 (March 15, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO VNL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10849687 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10853273 · 2016-04-04 (April 4, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO VNL. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE ISSUE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10853273 at NHTSA ↗