2012 Volvo VHD recalls

• Lights And Instruments#2018604November 2, 2018

  984 units affected

  Certain vehicles equipped with a snowplow preparation kit may fail to comply with the requirements of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 108 - Lighting System and Retroreflective Devices. The snowplow headlamps can be turned on without other exterior lights, and the high beam indicator does not work when the snowplow high beams are turned on, which is contrary to the requirements of the standard. This could allow the vehicle to be operated with the snowplow headlamps on and marker and tail lamps off, making the vehicle harder to see and potentially increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will update vehicle software to correct the non-compliance.

• Steering#2016494October 11, 2016

  1,116 units affected

  On certain vehicles, a defect in the ball joint seals on the drag link could allow corrosion to form in the joint, leading to accelerated wear. This could result in ball joint failure, potentially resulting in a loss of steering control which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the non-greasable drag link with a greasable drag link.

• Visual System#2013275August 9, 2013

  3,287 units affected

  On certain vehicles, the windshield wipers may fail. Loss of windshield wiping capability, should it occur during a rainy/snowy day, may compromise the driver’s ability to see the road and its users, which could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the wiper motor.

• Other#2013221June 25, 2013

  7,911 units affected

  On certain vehicles, the secondary clutch disengagement switch may have been omitted during vehicle assembly or, in some instances, removed during servicing. As such, primary switch failure would cause the automated manual transmission’s clutch to remain engaged when the brakes are applied. This could increase stopping distances, possibly resulting in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will install a micro-switch at the brake pedal and update the software to run a diagnostic on the switch during engine start-up.

• Electrical#2013090March 22, 2013

  461 units affected

  On certain trucks, the battery cables were fastened to the remote battery disconnect switch using incorrect hardware. In addition, the cables may be prone to chafing and vibration. Both issues could lead to electrical arcing, which could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will relocate the remote battery disconnect switch module.

• Seats And Restraints#2012356October 18, 2012

  401 units affected

  Certain vehicles may fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 210 – Seatbelt Assembly Anchorages. The weld used to secure the nut to the center-passenger seatbelt D-ring mounting bracket may not be sufficient to meet the strength requirements of the Standard. Failure of the seatbelt D-ring anchorage to restrain the occupant would increase the risk of personal injury during a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the D-ring for the middle seating position.

• Brakes#2012032February 1, 2012

  3,111 units affected

  On certain trucks equipped with Bendix ATR-6 Antilock Traction Relay valves, in extremely cold conditions (at or below -18 degrees Celsius), internal ATR valve leakage can occur. This could cause unintended brake application, which could overheat the affected brakes and cause a fire. Also, in certain low traction conditions, unexpected brake application can cause a loss of vehicle control and a crash. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will update the cover assembly on the ATR valves.

• Powertrain#2011204May 19, 2011

  452 units affected

  On certain trucks, the driveshaft may not have been welded correctly during the manufacturing process. This could allow the driveshaft to fracture along the length of the tube seam weld when torque is applied. The fractured tube can twist or sever, which could result in additional damage to the driveline, the vehicle to which it is attached, and any additional nearby components. Should the brake air lines become damaged, it could allow spring brake application, causing immediate brake lock-up. If this occurs while the vehicle is in motion, it could result in a crash. Also, failure of the driveshaft would result in lost vehicle propulsion which, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash. Either condition could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the driveshaft assembly.

• Brakes#2011183May 2, 2011

  151 units affected

  On certain vehicles, the slack adjuster housings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which could allow the housings to fracture and fail. As a result, the wheel brake to which the slack adjuster is attached would no longer function, which could increase vehicle stopping distances. Should a steer axle slack adjuster fail, it could also cause the vehicle to pull to one side during braking. Either problem could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the slack adjusters.

Canadian data updated August 24, 2026

• EXTERIOR LIGHTING#18V766000October 30, 2018

  Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2004-2019 Volvo VHD trucks equipped with snow plow lamp preparation kits. The snow plow headlights can be turned on without other exterior lights, and high beam indicator will not work when the snow plow high beams are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

  Risk: The driver may operate the vehicle with the snow plow headlights on but the marker and tail lamps off, reducing the vehicle's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the software related to the plow lights, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1804.

• SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT#16V735000October 13, 2016

  Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 VHD trucks manufactured from April 7, 2008, through December 9, 2015, equipped with USK non-greasable drag links. The ball joint seals may be compromised, which can allow water and other contaminants to enter the ball joints.

  Risk: If water and contaminants enter the ball joint, corrosion can occur and lead to accelerated wear, which over time can result in failure of the ball joint, possibly resulting in complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drag links, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1606.

• POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION#14V739000November 18, 2014

  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. The affected trucks may fail to re-engage the vehicle drivetrain after using the Eco-Roll feature.

  Risk: If the drivetrain does not re-engage, the vehicle's stopping distance may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.

  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.

• VISIBILITY/WIPER#13V349000August 13, 2013

  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.

  Risk: Inoperable wipers may result in poor driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  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.

• POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY#13V268000June 26, 2013

  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. Without a redundant switch, a loss of signal from the brake air pressure switch can prevent the clutch from automatically disengaging when the brake is applied.

  Risk: Without a signal to disengage the clutch when the brakes are applied, the distance required to stop the truck may lengthen, increasing the risk of a crash.

  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.

• PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:AIR#13V152000April 22, 2013

  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. The brake chambers may leak pressure allowing the parking brake to drag when it is supposed to be released. Brake dragging could lead to overheated brake components.

  Risk: Overheated brake components could result in a fire.

  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. Volvo’s campaign recall number is RVXX1302.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES#13V102000March 21, 2013

  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 switch. The remote battery disconnect switch was manufactured with incorrect hardware allowing the cables to loosen. Additionally, as mounted, the cables may vibrate and chafe.

  Risk: Loose or chafed cables may lead to overheating of the battery cable and switch which may result in a fire.

  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 at 1-877-800-4945 and select option 1.

• SEAT BELTS#12V510000October 18, 2012

  Volvo is recalling certain model year 2002-2013 VHD and VN trucks, manufactured from August 4, 2000, through June 22, 2012, and equipped with bench passenger seats. The seat belt d-ring weld may not be sufficient enough to meet the seat belt pull test. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

  Risk: In the event of a crash, an insufficient seat belt weld may prevent the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant. This increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant.

  Remedy: Volvo Trucks of America will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspected d-ring, free of change. The safety recall began on May 10, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.

• SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE#12V036000February 1, 2012

  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 RELAY VALVES. IN EXTREMELY COLD CONDITIONS, THESE BENDIX RELAY VALVES MAY POTENTIALLY DEVELOP INTERNAL LEAKAGE. INTERNAL LEAKAGE CAN LEAD TO AIR PRESSURE BEING DELIVERED TO AFFECTED PRIMARY OR SECONDARY BRAKE CAUSING CONTINUOUS BRAKE APPLICATION.

  Risk: INADVERTENT BRAKE APPLICATION CAN CAUSE THE BRAKES TO OVERHEAT AND LEAD TO A FIRE. INADVERTENT BRAKE APPLICATION CAN CAUSE THE WHEELS TO LOCK-UP LEADING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

  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 SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

• POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE#11V294000May 20, 2011

  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 INSUFFICIENT BONDING OF THE MATERIAL.

  Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN SEAM WELD FRACTURE WHEN TORQUE IS APPLIED. ONCE THE TUBE SEAM WELD IS FRACTURED, THE DRIVELINE MAY BECOME INOPERABLE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A DISABLED VEHICLE OR DEBRIS FROM THE DRIVELINE FALLING ONTO THE ROADWAY, BOTH OF WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

  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.

• SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SLACK ADJUSTERS#11V265000May 3, 2011

  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 ADJUSTERS. DUE TO AN INCOMPLETE "KNITTING" OF THE IRON AT THE TIME OF CASTING, INADEQUATE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING CAN OCCUR, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE HOUSING TO BREAK AT THE HANDLE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING LOADS.

  Risk: SLACK ADJUSTERS WITH THIS FLOW NOTCH COULD CRACK UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

  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 TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.