2012 Volvo VNL
Only 5 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 5 complaints 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 5 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
2 of 5 total reports mention: suspension.
1 of 5 total reports mentions: structure.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 (NA) VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GETTING OFF THE TOP BUNK OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BECAME INJURED AND RECEIVED NERVE DAMAGE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20151130
1 of 5 total reports mentions: steering.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
DRAG LINK FAILED, A KNOWN ISSUE TO THE MANUFACTURER RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL. CRASHED INTO CENTER WALL THEN THRU GUARDRAIL AND DOWN EMBANKMENT. AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ALSO. PASSENGER WAS HURT VERY BAD, DRIVER SLIGHTLY HURT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150320
1 of 5 total reports mentions: service brakes, hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO VNL 670. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V036000 (SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE) AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120302
1 of 5 total reports mentions: electrical system.
SAFETY TIMELINE
Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding
VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 VHD, VNL, AND VNM TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A MERITOR DRIVELINE. THE TUBING USED TO ASSEMBLE THE DRIVELINES HAS A NONCONFORMING SEAM WELD WITH INSUFFICIE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVELINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
Campaign 11V294000 — check if this car was fixed
VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 VHD, VNL, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 VNM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 15, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH GUNITE AUTOMATIC SLACK A
Remedy: VOLVO TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT SLACK ADJUSTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 12, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUC
Campaign 11V265000 — check if this car was fixed
VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 VNL AND VNM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 1, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2011. DURING THE COUPLING PROCESS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE DRIVER TO PARTIA
Remedy: DEALERS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCK BAR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
Campaign 11V460000 — check if this car was fixed
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 VHD AND MODEL YEAR 2011-2013 VNL AND VNM VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 2, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2012, AND EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX ATR-6 TRACTION
Remedy: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND PROVIDE A TEMPORARY REPAIR UNTIL BENDIX DEVELOPS A PERMANENT REMEDY. A PERMANENT REMEDY HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. THIS SERV
Campaign 12V036000 — check if this car was fixed
Stop Lamp Switch Signal
Windshield Wiper Failures
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 VHD, VNL, and VNM trucks, manufactured from April 18, 2011, through March 14, 2013, and equipped with a horizontally mounted remote battery disconnect s
Remedy: Volvo will send owners an interim letter and dealers will replace and relocate the remote battery disconnect switch. The recall began on May 7, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo's recall support line a
Campaign 13V102000 — check if this car was fixed
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 VAH, VHD, VNL, VNM, and VT models. The affected vehicles were built without a redundant clutch disengagement switch.
Remedy: Volvo Trucks will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the vehicles if necessary. The recall began on August 26, 2013. Volvo's recall number is RVXX1303. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.
Campaign 13V268000 — check if this car was fixed
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 VAH, VHD, VNL, and VNM trucks manufactured February 1, 2010, through September 30, 2010 and June 1, 2011, through November 30, 2011. The windshield wiper motor may fail.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor, free of charge. The recallbegan on December 6, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000. Volvo's recall number is RVXX1304.
Campaign 13V349000 — check if this car was fixed
Volvo Trucks of North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 VNL and 2014-2015 VNM trucks manufactured November 17, 2010, through February 5, 2014, and equipped with enhanced cruise control and without side fairings.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1402.
Campaign 14V356000 — check if this car was fixed
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012, 2014-2015 VHD, 2012-2015 VNL, and 2014-2015 VNM trucks manufactured June 16, 2011, to August 18, 2014, and equipped with the Eco-Roll option.
Remedy: Volvo has notified owners, and dealers will update the Eco-Roll software, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1406.
Campaign 14V739000 — check if this car was fixed
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 VAH and VNL trucks manufactured May 12, 2010, to October 31, 2014.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tires and set the road speed limiter, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586.
Campaign 14V740000 — check if this car was fixed
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured May 31, 2011, to December 1, 2014.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the trim panel slot and make it longer, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-258-6586.
Campaign 15V524000 — check if this car was fixed
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured June 21, 2010, to December 14, 2012.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and Fontaine dealers will replace the fifth wheel with an Ultra NT model fifth wheel, free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586.
Campaign 15V643000 — check if this car was fixed
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Volvo VNL trucks manufactured December 1, 2011, to September 1, 2013, equipped with certain Electric Auxiliary Power Units (APU), part number BA600, manufactured by Idle...
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and IFS dealers will inspect the APU for damage and, where needed, install a welded gusset upgrade kit to strengthen the APU C-channels. All units will receive stronger clamping brackets.
Campaign 15V634000 — check if this car was fixed
Discrepancies in Required CFR Reporting
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VHD and VNL vehicles manufactured December 13, 2010, through July 17, 2012. These vehicles are equipped with an MGM Type 24 J-series piston parking brake chamber.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and the brake chambers will be replaced as needed, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or before, June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.
Campaign 13V152000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Volvo VNL — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (1 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (1 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 13V152000 (parking brake) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V294000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V265000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11V460000 (trailer hitches) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V036000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V102000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V268000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V349000 (visibility/wiper) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V356000 (forward collision avoidance) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V739000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V740000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V524000 (service brakes) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V643000 (trailer hitches) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V634000 (electrical system) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2012 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 2012 Volvo VNL?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Volvo VNL have?
14 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.