Most common 2011 Volvo VNL problems
Share of the 4 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 →
2011 Volvo VNL recalls (12)
Trailer hitches › Fifth wheel assembly
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured June 21, 2010, to December 14, 2012. The affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, which, due to cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking mechanism, have a locking mechanism…
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and Fontaine dealers will replace the fifth wheel with an Ultra NT model fifth wheel, free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2015.
Tires
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 VAH and VNL trucks manufactured May 12, 2010, to October 31, 2014. The affected vehicles may experience premature tire failure during certain operating conditions such as high speeds, heavy load, and high road temperature.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tires and set the road speed limiter, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586.
Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control
Volvo Trucks of North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 VNL and 2014-2015 VNM trucks manufactured November 17, 2010, through February 5, 2014, and equipped with enhanced cruise control and without side fairings.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586.
Visibility/wiper
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 VAH, VHD, VNL, and VNM trucks manufactured February 1, 2010, through September 30, 2010 and June 1, 2011, through November 30, 2011. The windshield wiper motor may fail.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor, free of charge. The recallbegan on December 6, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000. Volvo's recall number is RVXX1304.
Power train › Clutch assembly
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 VAH, VHD, VNL, VNM, and VT models. The affected vehicles were built without a redundant clutch disengagement switch.
Remedy: Volvo Trucks will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the vehicles if necessary. The recall began on August 26, 2013. Volvo's recall number is RVXX1303. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.
Parking brake › Conventional › Air
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VHD and VNL vehicles manufactured December 13, 2010, through July 17, 2012. These vehicles are equipped with an MGM Type 24 J-series piston parking brake chamber.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and the brake chambers will be replaced as needed, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or before, June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.
Show 6 more recalls
Service brakes, air › Supply › Check valve
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 vhd and model year 2011-2013 vnl and vnm vehicles, manufactured from December 2, 2010, through January 18, 2012, and equipped with bendix atr-6 traction relay valves. In extremely cold conditions, these bendix relay valves May potentially develop internal leakage.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and provide a temporary repair until bendix develops a permanent remedy. A permanent remedy has been developed and notification to owners began on April 27, 2012.
Trailer hitches › Fifth wheel assembly
Volvo trucks is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 vnl and vnm trucks manufactured from May 1, 2010, through January 31, 2011. During the coupling process, it is possible for the driver to partially close the fifth wheel lock and if solely relying on a tug test (pull test), the driver May think that the fifth wheel lock is…
Remedy: Dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lock bar free of charge. The safety recall began on December 7, 2011. Owners May contact Volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Service brakes, air › Slack adjusters
Volvo trucks is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 vhd, vnl, and model year 2012 vnm trucks manufactured from October 15, 2010, through January 31, 2011, and equipped with gunite automatic slack adjusters.
Remedy: Volvo trucks will notify owners and dealers will replace the subject slack adjusters free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about August 12, 2011. Owners May contact Volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery
Volvo trucks is recalling certain model year 2011 vnl trucks manufactured from March 23, 2010, through December 22, 2010. There is a potential for the vehicle to start without warning because of an unintended path to ground that exists.
Remedy: Dealers will replace a wiring harness free of charge. The safety recall began on April 13, 2011. Owners May contact Volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 vhd, vnl, vnm, as well as 2008-2010 vt vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of part 567, "certification." the tire description May be incorrect on the vehicle's certification label.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the labels free of charge. The safety recall began on February 25, 2011. Owners May contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Volvo trucks is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 vnl trucks. The adhesive used in the upper window in the bunk area to secure the glass May debond.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the window as required free of charge. The safety recall began on June 4, 2010. Owners May contact Volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2011 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…
Windshield Wiper Failures
Through regular communications with heavy truck fleets, ODI learned of a potential issue involving failures of both the windshield wiper motor or linkage on model year 2011-2012 Volvo VNL trucks.ODI searched its Early Warning Reporting (EWR) database and identified a significant number of claims of wiper system problems reported by Volvo.In some cases the windshield wiper linkage separated and in others the wiper…
Stop Lamp Switch Signal
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data from the manufacturer that indicated some number of subject vehicles equipped with the subject automated manual transmission had allegedly experienced a condition where the clutch failed to automatically disengage the transmission from the engine as intended.
Discrepancies in Required CFR Reporting
On October 22, 2018, an Audit Query (AQ18-005) was opened to assess the completeness and timeliness of Volvo Group's early warning reporting, safety recalls, and communications submissions to the agency.NHTSA's investigation determined that Volvo Group failed to recall vehicles in a timely fashion and to comply with other recall and reporting requirements, including notifying owners of recalls and reporting death…
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Volvo VNL a good car?
Based on 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 VNL rates average: 14% 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 2011 Volvo VNL?
The steering — 1 complaint, 25% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (1) and electrical system (1).
How many recalls does the 2011 Volvo VNL have?
There are 12 recalls for the 2011 Volvo VNL, the most recent from October 13, 2015 (fifth wheel assembly). 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 2011 Volvo VNL problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 247,000 miles; 33% 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.