2003 Volvo VNL

○ Not enough data
2003 Volvo VNL
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:52:06.641Z

Only 2 complaints 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 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volvo VNL Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1990: 0 complaints 1990 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1994: 0 complaints 1995: 0 complaints 1995 1996: 0 complaints 1997: 0 complaints 1998: 8 complaints 1999: 11 complaints 2000: 10 complaints 2000 2001: 1 complaints 2002: 1 complaints 2003: 2 complaints 2003 2004: 5 complaints 2005: 6 complaints 2005 2006: 7 complaints 2007: 15 complaints 2008: 3 complaints 2009: 2 complaints 2010: 0 complaints 2010 2011: 4 complaints 2012: 5 complaints 2013: 7 complaints 2014: 8 complaints 2015: 5 complaints 2015 2016: 12 complaints 2017: 0 complaints 2018: 8 complaints 2019: 4 complaints 2020: 0 complaints 2020 2021: 0 complaints 2022: 2 complaints 2023: 1 complaints 2024: 0 complaints 2025: 0 complaints 2025
2003: 2 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19900
19910
19920
19930
19940
19950
19960
19970
19988
199911
200010
20011
20021
20032
20045
20056
20067
200715
20083
20092
20100
20114
20125
20137
20148
20155
201612
20170
20188
20194
20200
20210
20222
20231
20240
20250

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 2 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

INTERIOR LIGHTING

1 of 2 total reports mentions: interior lighting.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

COUTESY LIGHTS TOO SOFT TO ACTIVATE, ALSO TOO HOT TO TOUCH, STARTED PILLOW ON FIRE IN SLEEPER BUNK. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030720

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 of 2 total reports mentions: engine and engine cooling.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO VNL610 TRUCK. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 65-70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100106

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 of 2 total reports mentions: electrical system.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

COUTESY LIGHTS TOO SOFT TO ACTIVATE, ALSO TOO HOT TO TOUCH, STARTED PILLOW ON FIRE IN SLEEPER BUNK. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20030720

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20030226 — visibility

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE SLEEPER SECTION UPPER SIDE WINDOW GLASS MAY DE-BOND FROM THE WINDOW OPENING SLIDE TRACK MECHANISM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDOW. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 26, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMED

Campaign 03V038000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030815 — electrical system

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

R 20031224 — equipment

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

R 20060220 — wheels

CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT STEER AXLE AIR SUSPENSION MAY DEVELOP A FRONT WHEEL WOBBLE WHEN THE TIRES BECOME WORN.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE THE FRONT VERTICAL SHOCKS ON EACH SIDE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND ADD A HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS

Campaign 05V498000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060303 — engine and engine cooling

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH D12D ENGINES, THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) COOLER INLET PIPES OR THE PIPES THAT CONNECT THE EGR VALVES TO THE COOLER MAY CRACK OR BREAK.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE EGR COOLER PIPES AS REQUIRED AND INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM OWNER LETTER WAS MAILED ON FEBRUARY 17, 2006, TO ADVISE ON PRECAUTIONS THAT THE

Campaign 06V021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080225 — electrical system

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION (I.E. AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT BREAKERS) USED TO PROTECT THE VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS WITH FUSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 25, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Campaign 07V573000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090115 — EA (closed 20100706)

Drag Link Failure

R 20090930 — visibility

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

R 20100902 — steering

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

I 20110523 — RQ (closed 20120120)

Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding

R Date not on file — trailer hitches

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

2003 Volvo VNL — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for interior lighting issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V204000 (trailer hitches) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V038000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V260000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V516000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V498000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V021000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V573000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V173000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V282000 (steering) has been completed.

FAQ

Is the 2003 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 2003 Volvo VNL?

The most-reported component is interior lighting, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Volvo VNL have?

9 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.