Most common 2002 Volvo VNL problems
Share of the 1 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo VNL complaints by model year
Best VNL years: 2017, 2020, 2021. Years to avoid: 2016, 2007. Compare all years →
2002 Volvo VNL recalls (7)
Steering › Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection
Volvo trucks is recalling certain model year 2001-2006 vnl and vnm trucks manufactured with a trw sealed drag links. Certain factors can exist, which if left untreated May result in a ball socket separation.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the ball socket or the drag link as required if necessary. As parts are limited, Volvo trucks mailed an interim owner letter on September 2, 2010.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Volvo trucks is recalling 127,764 my 2001-2008 vhd, vnl, vnm, and my 2005-2008 vt trucks. A seal May fail allowing water and contaminants to seep into the windshield wiper motor.
Remedy: Volvo will replace the wiper motor free of charge. Since this recall involves a large number of vehicles, Volvo will release the recall in stages as parts are received.
Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailer
On certain heavy-duty trucks, when the bunk is raised into the stored position, an object left on the bunk May inadvertently turn on a bunk lamp.
Remedy: Dealers will install a bunk lamp with a push button on/off switch. Owner notification began on December 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…
Electrical system › Wiring
On certain trucks, the wiring harness connected to the chassis mounted electrical inverter May allow water to enter the inverter and cause an electrical short in the inverter.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these vehicles. Owner notification is expected to begin during August 2003. Owners should contact Volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Trailer hitches › Fifth wheel assembly
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with jost international jsk 37u series fifth wheels, a fatigue crack can develop in the bracket pin weld under certain loading conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the bracket pins and repair instructions free of charge. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable…
Suspension › Front
On certain trucks equipped with truck hub units manufactured by skf exclusively for use on arvinmeritor's ff98x series non-drive steer axles, the hub unit bearings can wear prematurely.
Remedy: Dealers will replace all front axle hubs. An interim notice to owners was mailed on June 25, 2003. Final owner notification began on October 6, 2003.
Show 1 more recall
Exterior lighting › Tail lights › Switch
Certain heavy duty class 8 trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the two tail lamps, back-up lamp,and license tag lamp were mounted on insufficiently rigid mounts.
Remedy: Dealers will attach the two tail lamps, back-up lamp, and the license tap lamp on stiffer brackets. Owner notification began October 31, 2002.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2002 Volvo VNL:
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…
Integral hub and bearing assembly
The companies involved in this matter are: skf (hub mfr), arvinmeritor (front axle mfr), and Volvo (manufacturer of class viii tractor/trucks).skf identified manufacturing defects for specific build dates on front axle hub and bearings (wheel bearings) supplied to arvinmeritor.as a result, arvinmeritor notified Volvo of axles supplied with possible defective front hub assemblies.as a result of that notification, 433…
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 2002 Volvo VNL a good car?
Based on 1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA, the 2002 VNL rates average: 57% fewer complaints than a typical year of the VNL 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 2002 Volvo VNL?
The brakes — 1 complaint, 100% of all complaints for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2002 Volvo VNL have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2002 Volvo VNL, the most recent from June 24, 2010 (connection). 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 VNL?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2020 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016 and 2007. See the full Volvo VNL years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Volvo VNL problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 159,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.