Volvo VNL Problems by Year
Volvo VNL years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical VNL year: 1999, 2000, 2007, 2016. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2007 VNL: 15 complaints, 9 recalls
- 2016 VNL: 12 complaints, 6 recalls
- 1999 VNL: 11 complaints, 5 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Volvo VNL problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 36 | 11 | 0 |
| Steering | 27 | 17 | 7 |
| Power Train | 15 | 6 | 2 |
| Structure | 10 | 9 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| Tires | 9 | 7 | 2 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 8 | 7 | 0 |
| Engine | 7 | 5 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Visibility | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Volvo VNL model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 VNL | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2024 VNL | 0 | 7 | — | — | |
| 2023 VNL | 1 | 3 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2022 VNL | 2 | 7 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2021 VNL | 0 | 7 | — | — | |
| 2020 VNL | 0 | 9 | — | — | |
| 2019 VNL | 4 | 8 | — | Power Train | |
| 2018 VNL | 8 | 5 | — | Power Train | |
| 2017 VNL | 0 | 5 | — | — | |
| 2016 VNL | 12 | 6 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 VNL | 5 | 9 | — | Suspension | |
| 2014 VNL | 8 | 12 | — | Engine | |
| 2013 VNL | 7 | 14 | — | Tires | |
| 2012 VNL | 5 | 14 | — | Suspension | |
| 2011 VNL | 4 | 12 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2010 VNL | 0 | 4 | — | — | |
| 2009 VNL | 2 | 4 | — | Tires | |
| 2008 VNL | 3 | 12 | — | Service Brakes | |
| 2007 VNL | 15 | 9 | — | Exterior Lighting | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2006 VNL | 7 | 7 | — | Steering | |
| 2005 VNL | 6 | 6 | — | Steering | |
| 2004 VNL | 5 | 6 | — | Steering | |
| 2003 VNL | 2 | 9 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2002 VNL | 1 | 7 | — | Service Brakes, Air | |
| 2001 VNL | 1 | 8 | — | Unknown or Other | |
| 2000 VNL | 10 | 4 | — | Suspension | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 VNL | 11 | 5 | — | Suspension | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1998 VNL | 8 | 5 | — | Suspension | |
| 1997 VNL | 0 | 4 | — | — | |
| 1996 VNL | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 1995 VNL | 0 | 1 | — | — |
More from Volvo: all Volvo models · Volvo VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo VNL years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1999 (11), 2000 (10), 2007 (15), 2016 (12) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical VNL year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Volvo VNL?
Suspension, with 36 complaints across 11 model years.
How many recalls does the Volvo VNL have?
87 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.