2004 Volvo VNL Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other VNL years
- Not enough data 11th of 31 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Volvo VNL. That ranks 11th out of 31 VNL model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is steering (2 complaints, 40%), typically at around 500,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 5owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2004 Volvo VNL problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 2 | 40% | 500,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 20% | 688,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 20% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 20% | 2,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2004 Volvo VNL recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Steering:linkages:drag:link:connection
Problem: 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 separation.
Risk: Ball socket separation at the drag link results in complete loss of steering, and therefore can result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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 began on february 14, 2011. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Problem: 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.
Risk: If this happens a short circuit may occur, which over time could possibly lead to a vehicle fire.
Fix: 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 the vehicles located in the regions/states that have a corrosive environment. The recall began on september 30, 2009. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers
Problem: 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.
Risk: If a short circuit occurs and is left untreated, components and wiring may be subject to overheating which could possibly result in a vehicle fire.
Fix: 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.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the pipes or the cooler inlet pipes fail and are left untreated, the air cleaner and inner fender may be subject to hot exhaust gases, which could lead to a fire.
Fix: 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 owner can take until parts become available. Owners are being notified starting march 3, 2006, that parts are now available. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Wheels
Problem: Certain trucks equipped with front steer axle air suspension may develop a front wheel wobble when the tires become worn.
Risk: If the wobble persists and is left untreated, damage may occur which could impair vehicle control and a crash could occur without prior notice.
Fix: 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 at 1-800-528-6586.
Equipment:other:labels
Problem: Certain heavy duty trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars." the tire size designation on the certification label is not shown.
Risk: The certification label is incorrect giving improper information.
Fix: Dealers will replace the certification labels. The recall began on september 12, 2005. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding (RQ11001) — opened May 23, 2011, closed Jan 20, 2012.
- Drag Link Failure (EA09003) — opened Jan 15, 2009, closed Jul 6, 2010, led to recall 10V282000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
West bound on 288. Did my pre trip. I was fully loaded. I was in the middle lane. All of the sudden my steering wheel got light. It did not have any control. The truck started drifting to the right. I tried to steer to the left. The truck did not respond. I started to apply the brakes. I was able…
Drag link came loose while our driver was pulling a load on interstate 81. He lost all steering and drove into a guardrail. The total costs for repairs to us was $17,022.93. The tractor had just been served and the drag link appeared fine at that time. We have noticed them failing in the past and…
My volvo truck started having low power problem after a certified volvo dealer replaced copper cups on it. To fix that problem, i took the truck to another certified volvo dealer, who replaced egr valve,which was under warranty. According to them, it was supposed to resolve the problem, but it did…
There were two recapped tires placed on the rear-extended lift axle of a dump truck. While driving 55 mph one tire blew out, and the other tire separated while carrying a load. Upon speaking with the retailer they referred the consumer to the wholesaler. Neither claimed responsibility, and referred…
Glass mirrors vibrated to the point were it was difficult to see. *ak
Other Volvo VNL years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 VNL | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 VNL | 0 | 7 |
| 2023 VNL | 1 | 3 |
| 2022 VNL | 2 | 7 |
| 2021 VNL | 0 | 7 |
| 2020 VNL | 0 | 9 |
| 2019 VNL | 4 | 8 |
| 2018 VNL | 8 | 5 |
| 2017 VNL | 0 | 5 |
| 2016 VNL | 12 | 6 |
| 2015 VNL | 5 | 9 |
| 2014 VNL | 8 | 12 |
| 2013 VNL | 7 | 14 |
| 2012 VNL | 5 | 14 |
| 2011 VNL | 4 | 12 |
| 2010 VNL | 0 | 4 |
| 2009 VNL | 2 | 4 |
| 2008 VNL | 3 | 12 |
| 2007 VNL | 15 | 9 |
| 2006 VNL | 7 | 7 |
| 2005 VNL | 6 | 6 |
| 2004 | 5 | 6 |
| 2003 VNL | 2 | 9 |
| 2002 VNL | 1 | 7 |
| 2001 VNL | 1 | 8 |
| 2000 VNL | 10 | 4 |
| 1999 VNL | 11 | 5 |
| 1998 VNL | 8 | 5 |
| 1997 VNL | 0 | 4 |
| 1996 VNL | 0 | 1 |
| 1995 VNL | 0 | 1 |
See all Volvo VNL problems by year, every Volvo model, or the Volvo VIN decoder.
Similar Volvo models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Volvo VNL?
Owners most often report steering, engine and engine cooling, tires problems. The top one, steering, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Volvo VNL?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2004 Volvo VNL a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other VNL model years, the 2004 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.