Most common 2015 Volvo VNL problems
Share of the 5 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 →
2015 Volvo VNL recalls (9)
Suspension › Front
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2015 VNL vehicles equipped with Meritor FF967 Non-Drive Front Steer axles. The axles missed the heat treating operation during manufacturing, reducing their strength and possibly causing the axle beams to fracture.
Remedy: Volvo Trucks will notify the affected vehicle owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the axles as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 27, 2019.
Service brakes, air
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 VNL and VNM trucks and certain model year 2017 VNX trucks. In the affected vehicles, incorrect software for controlling the electronic air dryer may result in oil and water contaminating the brake system.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module and replace the air dryer filter, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2017.
Service brakes
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured May 31, 2011, to December 1, 2014. In the affected trucks, the trailer hand brake handle may not to return to the off position due to being restricted by the cut out in the trim panel.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the trim panel slot and make it longer, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-258-6586.
Parking brake › Driveline › Hydraulic › Actuator
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2015 and 2016 VNX and VNL trucks manufactured from May 20, 2014, through March 6, 2015, equipped with certain Haldex Life Seal Type 30/30 Long Stroke Air Brake Actuators manufactured January 9, 2014, to October 28, 2014.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator and replace, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012, 2014-2015 VHD, 2012-2015 VNL, and 2014-2015 VNM trucks manufactured June 16, 2011, to August 18, 2014, and equipped with the Eco-Roll option. The affected trucks may fail to re-engage the vehicle drivetrain after using the Eco-Roll feature.
Remedy: Volvo has notified owners, and dealers will update the Eco-Roll software, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586.
Electrical system › Software
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2015 VNL and VNX trucks manufactured January 7, 2014, to June 5, 2014, and equipped with a D16 engine. Due to the engine control unit having an incorrect parameter setting in the software, the engine may stall.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall began in October 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586.
Show 3 more recalls
Service brakes, air › Disc › Caliper
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 VAH, VNL, and VNM trucks manufactured March 4, 2013, to April 28, 2014. Due to the bolts holding the disc brake caliper to the backing plate not being tightened to the specified torque, the disc brake caliper may detach from the backing plate.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts to specification, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2014. 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.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 VNL trucks, and 2013-2014 VNM trucks equipped with certain Cummins Westport Model ISL G and ISX12 G engines.
Remedy: Cummins Inc. and Cummins Wesport Inc. will notify owners, and authorized Cummins service facilities will upload a new ECM calibration, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2014.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2015 Volvo VNL:
Ride Quality
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Defect Petition (DP) assessment in response to a defect petition received from owners of a 2015 Volvo VNL 780 tractor.Prior to submitting the letter the owners had submitted two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ).Their concerns included: cab sway, cab alignment , and loss of control.The petitioners further allege that due to a failure of the suspension system…
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…
What 2015 Volvo VNL owners say
Suspension
We have been experiencing problems with our vehicle from the beginning. We filed an earlier complaint. We have not heard anything coming from that complaint, but have been in contact with an odi investigator. When traveling down the road, our truck hit a bridge abutment and the cab bottomed out hard on the chassis and the cab swayed aggressively to the point the driver lost control. I was in the back of the vehicle when it bottomed out and felt an intense pain go from my lower back and up through my spine to my head. The truck swayed and jerked and my neck was slapped back and forth and I could feel and hear my spine snap in my neck. I had an instant and intense headache. I thought it would go away, but it did not. I saw a doctor and he diagnosed injury from that incident. I have been out of work for over a month now from this incident. …
My 2015 Volvo semi has been the roughest riding truck I have been in. It has front air ride suspension, and exhibits unusually heavy cab sway, and takes a lot of attention and steering input to stay in its own lane. I have complained about it numerous times to.the dealer I bought it new from, and discuss it with other Volvo dealers around the country. I am not new to Volvo. I drove 8 different ones from 2006 thru 2008 while employed at knight transportation. Since buying it brand new I have: 1. Replaced leaking cab shock on drivers side 2. Taken truck back to same shop to have ssme new shock retightened. 3. Purchased extra thick.$800.00 tempurpedic mattress to try and resolve co drivers complaint about being unable to sleep 4. Had chassis air ride height adjusted 3 different times trying to improve rough ride. 5. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2015 Volvo VNL a good car?
Based on 5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 VNL rates average: about as many complaints as 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 2015 Volvo VNL?
The suspension — 3 complaints, 60% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (1) and steering (1).
How many recalls does the 2015 Volvo VNL have?
There are 9 recalls for the 2015 Volvo VNL, the most recent from August 21, 2019 (front). 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 2015 Volvo VNL problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 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.