Most common 2026 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 →
2026 Volvo VNL recalls (17)
Structure
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2025-2026 VNL (4) vehicles. The truck cabs may have loose or missing structural bolts.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for missing structural bolts and install and/or tighten the bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 14, 2026.
Service brakes, electric › Software/programming
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2025-2027 VNL (4) and 2026-2027 VNR (4) vehicles equipped with a tanker application package. Inaccurate axle load calculations may cause reduced braking performance while transporting smoothbore tanker trailers.
Remedy: Dealers will install new software to disable the dynamic trailer braking calculations, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 27, 2026.
Exterior lighting
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2026-2027 VNL (4) and VNR (4) vehicles. The center roof marker lights may fail to illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy: Dealers will replace the center roof marker light, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 22, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available.
Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2026 VOLVO VAH, VN, VHD, 2026-2027 VNL (4) and VNR (4) vehicles. The steering knuckles may have been manufactured with insufficiently tightened steering arms.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the fasteners between the steering arm and steering knuckle, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2026.
Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2026 VAH, 2026-2027 VN, VHD, VNL (4), and 2027 VNR (4) vehicles. The wheel lug nuts may loosen and allow the wheel to detach.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect the wheel and hub mating surfaces, remove any masking material, and replace any worn components if necessary, free…
Service brakes, air › Antilock › Control unit/module
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2026-2027 VNR (4) and 2025-2027 VNL (4) vehicles. The rear brake modulators may have unprotected electrical connectors that can short circuit and lead to a loss of the anti-lock brake system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC).
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear brake modulator electrical connectors, install a protective cover, and replace the rear brake modulators, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 8, 2026.
Show 11 more recalls
Exterior lighting › Turn signal
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2025-2027 VNL (4) and 2026-2027 VNR (4) vehicles. The vehicle turn signals may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated…
Remedy: Dealers will update the turn signal indicator software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 7, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 800-528-6586.
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2025-2026 VNL (4) vehicles. The instrument panel may fail while driving. 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 replace the instrument panel clusters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 8, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 800-528-6586.
Service brakes, air › Supply › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2025-2026 VNL (4) vehicles. The service brake may take longer than expected to release. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Remedy: Dealers will install an additional brake valve and fittings to the service brake pneumatic plumbing, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed July 29, 2026.Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at…
Parking brake
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2024-2027 VNL (4) vehicles that do not include auxiliary parking brakes. If the vehicle is in weight bias mode there may not be enough weight on the parking brake axle, which could result in inadequate parking brake force.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake chambers, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 29, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks' number for this recall is RVXX2601.
Exterior lighting › Lighting control module › Software
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2026 VNR (4) and 2024-2026 VNL (4) vehicles. The automatic high beams (AHB) may not switch to low beam headlights as intended.
Remedy: As an interim action, Volvo Trucks will update the vehicle software through an over-the-air (OTA) update to disable the AHB feature, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 1, 2026.
Equipment › Mechanical
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2024-2026 VNL (4) vehicles. The load lock clamps, located on the back of the cab, may loosen and cause the load lock bars to become unsecured.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the load lock clamps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 800-528-6586.
Exterior lighting
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2026 New VN trucks. The roof center marker lights may fail to illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy: Dealers will replace the center roof marker light, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 19, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 800-528-6586.
Exterior lighting › Lighting control module
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2025-2026 New VN trucks. When towing a trailer, the trailer lights may fail to illuminate due to an improperly manufactured body control module.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trailer body input/output module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 800-528-6586.
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2026 New VN trucks. The door latch cable on the interior door handle may be incorrectly installed, preventing the door from opening.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the door latch cable and pivot clip, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 11, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 800-528-6586.
Steering
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Volvo New VN trucks. The dynamic steering and oversteer guidance feature may malfunction and cause a loss of steering control.
Remedy: The oversteer guidance feature will be disabled through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 22, 2025.
Interior lighting
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2026 Volvo VNL a good car?
Based on 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2026 VNL rates few complaints: 3.0× 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 2026 Volvo VNL?
The electrical system — 1 complaint, 25% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the lights (1) and steering (1).
How many recalls does the 2026 Volvo VNL have?
There are 17 recalls for the 2026 Volvo VNL, the most recent from October 15, 2026 (structure). 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 2026 Volvo VNL problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 54,000 miles; 50% 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.