2023 Volvo VNL Problems & Complaints

Few complaintsabout as many complaints as a typical year of the VNL at the same age

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2023 Volvo VNL with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is a low number of complaints for a car on sale this long. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (1 complaint). 5 recalls cover this model year.

2complaints
5recalls
1crashes
0fires
1injuries
1deaths

Most common 2023 Volvo VNL problems

  • Electrical system
    150%
  • Air bags
    150%

Share of the 2 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

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 →

2023 Volvo VNL recalls (5)

Interior lighting

NHTSA recall 25V-214 · Apr 8, 2025 · 5,257 vehicles

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2023-2026 New VN trucks. The hazard switch back lighting may become inoperative. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Remedy: Dealers will update the vehicle master control unit (VMCU) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 800-528-6586.

Service brakes, air › Controls › Proportioning relay valve

NHTSA recall 25V-102 · Feb 18, 2025 · 8 vehicles

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2023-2025 New VN trucks. The brakes may take longer than expected to activate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Remedy: Dealers will install a new pneumatic circuit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 11, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 800-528-6586.

Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

NHTSA recall 23V-511 · Jul 24, 2023 · 55,012 vehicles

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2022-2024 VNR, VNL, VHD, and VAH trucks. The windshield wiper motor gears may wear prematurely, causing the motor to fail.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586.

Electrical system › Wiring

NHTSA recall 23V-403 · Jun 4, 2023 · 29 vehicles

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Truck) is recalling certain 2022-2024 VNL and VHD vehicles equipped with RollTek driver seats. A missing circuit will prevent the side air bag from deploying during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will connect a jumper harness between the seat and main cab harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 4, 2023.

Service brakes, air › Critical fasteners

NHTSA recall 22V-896 · Dec 6, 2022 · 412 vehicles

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2022-2023 VNL vehicles. The air tank bracket fasteners were excessively tightened and may have broken.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Volvo VNL a good car?

Based on 2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 VNL rates few complaints: 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 2023 Volvo VNL?

The electrical system — 1 complaint, 50% of all complaints for this model year. Next is the air bags (1).

How many recalls does the 2023 Volvo VNL have?

There are 5 recalls for the 2023 Volvo VNL, the most recent from April 8, 2025 (interior lighting). 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.