2016 Volvo VNL problems and recalls

58% of owner complaints on the 2016 Volvo VNL related to the Power Train (7 of 12).

12
Complaints
6
Recalls
2
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
0
Injuries
61.6
Severity index

Severity index 61.6 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 61.6p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

Power TrainPower Train: 7 complaints (58.3%)7 58%SuspensionSuspension: 2 complaints (16.7%)2 17%Service BrakesService Brakes: 2 complaints (16.7%)2 17%WheelsWheels: 1 complaints (8.3%)1 8%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 1 complaints (8.3%)1 8%StructureStructure: 1 complaints (8.3%)1 8%SteeringSteering: 1 complaints (8.3%)1 8%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
POWER TRAIN758.3%
SUSPENSION216.7%
SERVICE BRAKES216.7%
WHEELS18.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER18.3%
STRUCTURE18.3%
STEERING18.3%

Complaints filed per year

0252016: 52017: 12018: 32019: 3165171819
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20165
20171
20183
20193
Filings in 2017 to 2019 ran 1.4x those in 2016 to 2016 (7 against 5).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V66800025/09/2018ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESELVolvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Volvo VNL trucks equipped with Cummins ISX15 diesel engines. In certain driving conditions, such as on a long down-hill grade, the fuel line may burst if the fuel pump cooling circuit screen becomes restricted.
17V53600029/08/2017STEERINGVolvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2016 Volvo VNL and VNM trucks equipped with certain Dana Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen.
16V92800022/12/2016SERVICE BRAKES, AIRVolvo 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 syste
16V09700017/02/2016STEERINGVolvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 VNL, VNX, and VNM trucks manufactured from May 11, 2015, through April 18, 2016. The trucks may have been manufactured without a roll pin on the steering shafts. If the roll pin is missing, the lower s
15V02600022/01/2015PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC:ACTUATORVolvo 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
16V09500019/02/2016SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINTVolvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 VT trucks manufactured from April 9, 2008, through September 24, 2009, and certain 2016 model VNL and VNM trucks manufactured from January 2, 2015, through to November 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.