2021 Volvo VNL Problems & Complaints

Few complaints67% fewer complaints than a typical year of the VNL at the same age

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 2021 Volvo VNL yet, but there are 7 recalls. 7 recalls cover this model year.

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7recalls
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Volvo VNL complaints by model year

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26’278111011256715324578512842224
Owner complaints per model year, Volvo VNL. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best VNL years: 2017, 2020, 2021. Years to avoid: 2016, 2007. Compare all years →

2021 Volvo VNL recalls (7)

Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump

NHTSA recall 21V-858 · Nov 4, 2021 · 3 vehicles

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2021 VNL vehicles. A machining defect may cause pressure to build in the power steering pump, breaking the shaft seal and resulting in a loss of power steering assist.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the power steering pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 10, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586.

Wheels › Hub

NHTSA recall 21V-417 · Jun 2, 2021 · 1,050 vehicles

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2021-2022 VAH, VDH, VNL, AND VNR vehicles. The hubcap compression spring can cause the hubcap to separate.

Remedy: Dealers will remove the hubcap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 12, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Mack's number for this recall is RVXX 2102.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Critical fasteners

NHTSA recall 20V-782 · Dec 15, 2020 · 6,982 vehicles

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling 2021 VNL, VNR, VAH, and VHD vehicles. The collets (internal jaws) for the brass fitting inserts used in the pneumatic pass-through plate may have been damaged during leak testing.

Remedy: Volvo Trucks will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air brake line for proper engagement of the fitting in the pass-through plate, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 31, 2021.

Service brakes, air

NHTSA recall 20V-536 · Sep 2, 2020 · 11,127 vehicles

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2020-2021 VAH, VHD, VNL and VNR vehicles. The die cast pedal plate may break at one of its attachment points, possibly resulting in the brake pedal dislodging.

Remedy: Volvo Trucks will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the pedal plates if required, free of charge. The recall began October 7, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-458-1552.

Steering

NHTSA recall 20V-535 · Sep 2, 2020 · 12 vehicles

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2021 VNL, VHD, and VNR vehicles. The king pin nut may not have been installed or properly tightened during axle assembly.

Remedy: Volvo Trucks will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to make sure that the king pin nut is installed and that it properly tightened, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2020.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 20V-384 · Jul 1, 2020 · 89 vehicles

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2021 VNL and VNR buses. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the rear drive axles stated on the Federal Certification Label exceeds the rating of the wheel hubs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and send corrected replacement labels, free of charge. The recall began August 18, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX2002.

Show 1 more recall

Steering

NHTSA recall 20V-241 · Apr 29, 2020 · 23 vehicles

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2020-2021 VNL and VNR trucks. The steering gear fasteners may have not been properly tightened.

Remedy: Volvo Trucks will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the steering gear fasteners to specification, free of charge. The recall began May 20, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 800-528-6586.

Frequently asked questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Volvo VNL have?

There are 7 recalls for the 2021 Volvo VNL, the most recent from November 4, 2021 (pump). 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.

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.