2012 Volvo VNL Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

14 safety recalls on file

The 2012 Volvo VNL has 14 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, including 1 crash, 3 injuries.

The most-reported problem area is Suspension (2 reports).

14Recalls
5Owner complaints
1Crashes reported
n/aNHTSA safety rating
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A recall covers specific vehicles. Your VIN shows whether yours still needs the free repair.

2012 Volvo VNL recalls

Trailer May Detach From Truck Due to Fifth Wheel Lock Failure

Recall 15V643Oct 13, 2015669 vehicles affected

Certain 2011-2013 Volvo VNL and VNM trucks built between June 2010 and December 2012 have Fontaine Ultra LT fifth wheel connectors.

Auxiliary power unit may detach from truck, creating crash risk

Recall 15V634Oct 8, 2015101 vehicles affected

Certain Volvo VNL trucks built between December 2011 and September 2013 may have an electric auxiliary power unit (APU) with a metal housing whose mounting points can crack and tear.

Trailer Brake Handle May Stick, Causing Brake Drag and Fire Risk

Recall 15V524Aug 17, 20152,854 vehicles affected

Certain 2012-2015 Volvo VNL and VNM trucks built between May 31, 2011, and December 1, 2014, may have a trailer hand brake handle that does not return fully to the off position.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Recall 14V739Nov 18, 20146,234 vehicles affected

Tires

Recall 14V740Nov 18, 2014115 vehicles affected

Visibility/Wiper

Recall 13V349Aug 13, 201317,824 vehicles affected

Power Train:Clutch Assembly

Recall 13V268Jun 26, 201323,056 vehicles affected

Parking Brake:Conventional:Air

Recall 13V152Apr 22, 2013701 vehicles affected

Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables

Recall 13V102Mar 21, 20135,207 vehicles affected

Service Brakes, Air:Supply:Check Valve

Recall 12V036Feb 1, 201221,625 vehicles affected

Trailer Hitches:Fifth Wheel Assembly

Recall 11V460Sep 1, 2011299 vehicles affected

Power Train:Driveline

Recall 11V294May 20, 2011341 vehicles affected

Service Brakes, Air:Slack Adjusters

Recall 11V265May 3, 20112,765 vehicles affected

Most common 2012 Volvo VNL problems

Problem areas named in the 5 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem areaReports
Suspension2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Steering1
Air Bags1
Structure1
Electrical System1

What owners report

2017-06-12, Suspension
I BOTH THE VOLVO 780 SEMI TRUCK 8 MONTHS AGO AND I DO STILL HAVE A PROBLEM. I DO REPLACE WHOLE SUSPENSION, MAKE A 6 TIMES ALIGNMENT AND TRUCK STILL SWAY IN THE ROAD. DEALER FROM CONNECTICUT DO TEST DRIVE AND HE SAID MY WHOLE CAB SWAY FROM RIGHT TO THE LEFT. HE RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT CAB SHOCKS AND I DID, JUST WHOLE CAB IT'S SWAY ANY WAY. POOR WATHER LIKE WIND IT'S IS DIFFICULT DRIVING, ROAD ZONE NOT EVEN LANE IT'S TERRIBLE AND AWCORSE IN THE TAKE A CURVE I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO THE MINIMUM SPEED, MAKE A DENGER FOR OTHER DRIVER. I WILL BE PUT TRUCK FOR SHOP DO INVESTIGATION, JUST I'M PUT IN ALMOST $10.000 FOR REPAIR LIKE I DO NOT HAVE TO REPLACE MY WHOLE SUSPENSION AND OTHER STUFF, ALSO I
2017-04-24, Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND RODE ROUGHLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR THEM TO PROVIDE A REPAIR SOLUTION. THE RECALL SPECIFICS AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
2015-11-30, Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 (NA) VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GETTING OFF THE TOP BUNK OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BECAME INJURED AND RECEIVED NERVE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
2015-03-20, Steering
DRAG LINK FAILED, A KNOWN ISSUE TO THE MANUFACTURER RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL. CRASHED INTO CENTER WALL THEN THRU GUARDRAIL AND DOWN EMBANKMENT. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ALSO. PASSENGER WAS HURT VERY BAD, DRIVER SLIGHTLY HURT. LARGE TRUCK OUT OF CONTROL ON THE INTERSTATE FROM A PROBLEM THE COMPANY KNEW TO EXIST IS CRIMINAL. TRUCK WAS WELL MAINTAINED PER VOLVO INSTRUCTIONS. 329090 MILES ON THE TRUCK. *TR
2012-03-02, Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO VNL 670. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V036000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE) AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE RECALL REPAIR WAS A TEMPORARY REPAIR WHICH INCLUDED DISABLING THE TRACTION CONTROL. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY FOR THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NO LONGER FELT SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,390.

2012 Volvo VNL questions

Does the 2012 Volvo VNL have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls for the 2012 Volvo VNL: Trailer May Detach From Truck Due to Fifth Wheel Lock Failure; Auxiliary power unit may detach from truck, creating crash risk; Trailer Brake Handle May Stick, Causing Brake Drag and Fire Risk; Power Train:Automatic Transmission; Tires. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volvo VNL?

Based on 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Suspension (2), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1), Steering (1).

How do I check if a recall on my 2012 Volvo VNL has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

Other Volvo VNL years

Other 2012 Volvo models