2020 Volvo VN Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 10, 2026 · 5 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other VN years
Not enough data 3rd of 32 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Volvo VN. That ranks 3rd out of 32 VN model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (2 complaints, 40%). There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2020 Volvo VN problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System2
Exterior Lighting1
Service Brakes1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Structure1 · ~145,980 mi
Suspension1 · ~90,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System240%———
Exterior Lighting120%———
Service Brakes120%———
Service Brakes, Hydraulic120%———
Structure120%145,980——
Suspension120%90,000——
Visibility/wiper120%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2020, with 1 complaints
2020: 1202012021: 1202112022: 1202212024: 1202412026: 120261

n = 5 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2020 Volvo VN recalls (2)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electrical system:software; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/moduleOct 23, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V790000 · 124,949 vehicles

Problem: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2020-2025 VN, VAH, VHD and VNRE trucks, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop working.

Risk: Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may have diminished or lost functionality, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Truck's number for this recall is RVXX2409.

Seats:critical fastenersNov 15, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V769000 · 638 vehicles

Problem: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2019-2024 VN and VHD vehicles. The passenger side bench seat may be inadequately attached to the floor. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, "Seating Systems" and 210, "Seatbelt Assembly Anchorage."

Risk: The attachment points may fail, allowing the bench seat to shift and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the weld nut with two nuts and a washer, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 29, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks number for this recall is RVXX2312.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

I have just purchased this truck to replace an old truck lost due to a total loss . I picked up the truck in South dakota and drove back to Pennsylvania. When setting the parking brakes parked on a small incline with the truck empty the parking brake hold on the front drive axle and it skids those…

Service Brakes · received Mar 10, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11723271

The contact owns a 2020 Volvo VN. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V790000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the contact called the local dealer to schedule an appointment and was informed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The…

Electrical System · received Dec 12, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11630307

The contact owns a 2020 Volvo VNL-860. The contact stated that her husband was driving at 65 MPH and towing a 53-foot trailer, and the steering wheel would overcompensate while making adjustment, left or right to stay centered in lane. The failure lead to constant steering adjustments. The contact…

Suspension · received Mar 2, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11454839

The owner programmed a 5 minute idle shut off and did not provide anything for me as the driver to stay warm at night i was driving during winter and traveling to states like wyoming where it reached 23 degrees. He has many things not up to dot regulations with his truck, lot of things are not…

Electrical System · received May 12, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11416256

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 VOLVO VNL TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLEEPER BUNK WINDOW DETACHED ON TOP HOWEVER, THE BOTTOM BRACKETS PREVENTED THE WINDOW FROM COMPLETELY DETACHING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. WESTFALL GMC TRUCK INC LOCATED AT 3915 RANDOLPH RD, RANDOLPH, MO 64161…

Structure · received Sep 22, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11360398

Other Volvo VN years

← 2019 VN · 2021 VN →

See all Volvo VN problems by year, every Volvo model, or the Volvo VIN decoder.

Similar Volvo models

Embed this 2020 Volvo VN badge on your site

Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Volvo VN?

Owners most often report electrical system, exterior lighting, service brakes problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 2 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2020 Volvo VN?

Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2020 Volvo VN a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other VN model years, the 2020 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.