Most common 2005 Volvo VN problems
Share of the 2 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo VN complaints by model year
Best VN years: 2011, 2012, 2016. Compare all years →
2005 Volvo VN recalls (2)
Seat belts
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2002-2013 VHD and VN trucks, manufactured from August 4, 2000, through June 22, 2012, and equipped with bench passenger seats. The seat belt d-ring weld may not be sufficient enough to meet the seat belt pull test.
Remedy: Volvo Trucks of America will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspected d-ring, free of change. The safety recall began on May 10, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.
Suspension
On certain heavy duty class 8 trucks, equipped with holland air suspension systems, a transverse beam casting May fracture under normal loads. If a casting breaks when the vehicle is traveling on a roadway there is the potential for pieces of the casting to become projectiles and the suspension?s transverse beam May drop down…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the defective transverse beam assemblies. The recall began on August 26, 2005. Owners May contact Volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2005 Volvo VN:
Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding
ODI opened Recall Query RQ11-001 after a review of EWR Field Reports identified lower bunk window separations on the subject vehicles.Volvo had issued three recalls for sleeper window separations since 2003.Additionally, Volvo had issued two bulletins for sleeper window issues during the same time period.The frequency of related actions led ODI to open this formal investigation.An Information Request (IR) letter was…
Drag link failure
Odi has decided to upgrade this pe and conduct field work and testing.summary numbers in this resume are represenative of only the 2005 model year vehicles. See the attached report for details.
Drag Link Failure
EA09-003 is closed with the submission of Volvo's recall 10V-282 recalling approximately 111,034 Model Year (MY) 1998 through 2005 VN and VNL class 8 trucks.Volvo announced recall 10V-282 in response to NHTSA's recall request letter dated June 3, 2010 (available at NHTSA's web site www.safercar.gov).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Volvo VN a good car?
Based on 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 VN rates few complaints: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the VN at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Volvo VN?
The lights — 2 complaints, 100% of all complaints for this model year, most often about brake lights › switch. Next is the electrical system (1).
How many recalls does the 2005 Volvo VN have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2005 Volvo VN, the most recent from October 18, 2012 (seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volvo VN?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2012 and 2016. See the full Volvo VN years comparison.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.