2002 Volvo VNL
Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1999 | 11 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 15 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 1 complaint on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
1 of 1 total report mentions: service brakes, air.
Show complaint excerpts
DT: CALLER HAD A HEAVY DUTY TRUCK. CALLER SAID HE COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY IF THE BRAKES FAILED. CALLER HAD IT IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20050714
SAFETY TIMELINE
CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE TWO TAIL LAMPS, BAC
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ATTACH THE TWO TAIL LAMPS, BACK-UP LAMP, AND THE LICENSE TAP LAMP ON STIFFER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 31, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALE
Campaign 02V238000 — check if this car was fixed
INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE CHASSIS MOUNTED ELECTRICAL INVERTER MAY ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE INVERTER AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE INVERTER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
Campaign 03V260000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK HUB UNITS MANUFACTURED BY SKF EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON ARVINMERITOR'S FF98X SERIES NON-DRIVE STEER AXLES, THE HUB UNIT BEARINGS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FRONT AXLE HUBS. AN INTERIM NOTICE TO OWNERS WAS MAILED ON JUNE 25, 2003. FINAL OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZE
Campaign 03V199000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS, WHEN THE BUNK IS RAISED INTO THE STORED POSITION, AN OBJECT LEFT ON THE BUNK MAY INADVERTENTLY TURN ON A BUNK LAMP.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BUNK LAMP WITH A PUSH BUTTON ON/OFF SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DA
Campaign 03V516000 — check if this car was fixed
Drag Link Failure
VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING 127,764 MY 2001-2008 VHD, VNL, VNM, AND MY 2005-2008 VT TRUCKS. A SEAL MAY FAIL ALLOWING WATER AND CONTAMINANTS TO SEEP INTO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.
Remedy: VOLVO WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. SINCE THIS RECALL INVOLVES A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES, VOLVO WILL RELEASE THE RECALL IN STAGES AS PARTS ARE RECEIVED. PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO TH
Campaign 09V173000 — check if this car was fixed
VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2006 VNL AND VNM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED WITH A TRW SEALED DRAG LINKS. CERTAIN FACTORS CAN EXIST, WHICH IF LEFT UNTREATED MAY RESULT IN A BALL SOCKET SE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE BALL SOCKET OR THE DRAG LINK AS REQUIRED IF NECESSARY. AS PARTS ARE LIMITED, VOLVO TRUCKS MAILED AN INTERIM OWNER LETTER ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2010. THE SAFETY RECALL B
Campaign 10V282000 — check if this car was fixed
Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH JOST INTERNATIONAL JSK 37U SERIES FIFTH WHEELS, A FATIGUE CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE BRACKET PIN WELD UNDER CERTAIN LOADING CONDITIONS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET PINS AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE.
Campaign 03V204000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2002 Volvo VNL — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes, air issues (1 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 03V204000 (trailer hitches) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V238000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V260000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V199000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V516000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09V173000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V282000 (steering) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2002 Volvo VNL reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Volvo VNL?
The most-reported component is service brakes, air, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Volvo VNL have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.