Volvo VNL Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Among Volvo VNL model years, 2016 ranks worst with a complaint index of 100 and 12 complaints including a do-not-drive recall, followed by 2012 (93), 2018 (87), and 2014 (80). No year in this dataset carries a Best verdict; 2020 and 2021 show the lowest complaint indexes at 7 and 13.
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 56
- Recall campaigns
- 60
- Crashes reported
- 6
- Fires reported
- 1
- Top problem area
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
VNL Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Volvo VNL problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — |
| 2011 | No verdict | 40 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 93 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 14 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2013 | Caution | 60 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 14 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2014 | Avoid | 80 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 12 | Engine | — | — |
| 2015 | Caution | 67 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 9 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 100 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 6 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2017 | No verdict | 73 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 ! | — | — | — |
| 2018 | Avoid | 87 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 5 | Engine | — | — |
| 2019 | No verdict | 53 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | — | — |
| 2020 | No verdict | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | — | — | — |
| 2021 | No verdict | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | — | — | — |
| 2022 | No verdict | 47 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | Engine | — | — |
| 2023 | No verdict | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | — | — |
| 2024 | No verdict | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — |
VNL years to avoid: what went wrong
2016 Volvo VNL Index 100 · 12 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2016 VNL is the worst-ranked year in this dataset, with a complaint index of 100, 12 complaints, and one do-not-drive recall. Transmission & Powertrain problems account for 58% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of just 11,000. Owners described violent shaking, brake pedal vibration, and steering issues at low mileage. Suspension complaints appeared at a median of 30,000 miles. Six recall campaigns were issued, including a fuel line burst risk and steer axle nut torque defect. Two crashes were reported.
2012 Volvo VNL Index 93 · 5 complaints · 14 recalls
The 2012 VNL shows a complaint index of 93 and ranks 2nd worst of 16 model years. Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints make up 40% of its issues, with median failure mileage listed at 118,390 for a brakes-related complaint. Owners also reported airbag and electrical problems. NHTSA recorded 14 recall campaigns for this year, including fifth-wheel connector, electric auxiliary power unit, and trailer hand brake handle issues. One crash and three injuries were reported.
2018 Volvo VNL Index 87 · 8 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2018 VNL has a complaint index of 87 and ranks 3rd worst. Engine and Transmission & Powertrain complaints each make up 38% of the total, with median failure mileages of 387,000 and 537,850 respectively. Owners also reported steering issues at a median of 150,312 miles and an airbag failure at 200,000 miles. Five recall campaigns were issued, covering axle weight rating labels, transmission fuse defects, and sleeper bunk windows detaching. One crash and one injury were reported.
2014 Volvo VNL Index 80 · 8 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2014 VNL carries a complaint index of 80 and ranks 4th worst. Engine complaints dominate at 38% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 390,000. Owners also described steering drag link failures near 229,000 miles and early fuel system and structural problems. NHTSA logged 12 recall campaigns for this year, covering brake air dryer software, electric auxiliary power unit, and trailer hand brake handle defects. One crash was reported with no injuries or deaths.
Most common Volvo VNL problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires14 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (23%)
- Engine11 (20%)
- Steering9 (16%)
- Brakes6 (11%)
- Structure & Body6 (11%)
- Electrical System4 (7%)
- Other3 (5%)
- Airbags2 (4%)
- Fuel System2 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Volvo VNL should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2016, 2012, 2018, and 2014 VNL model years are flagged as Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100, 93, 87, and 80 respectively.
- Which Volvo VNL year is worst according to NHTSA data?
- The 2016 VNL ranks worst of the 16 model years covered, with a complaint index of 100, 12 complaints, two crashes, and a do-not-drive recall.
- Is there a Volvo VNL year that stands out as best?
- No year in this dataset carries a Best verdict. The lowest complaint indexes belong to 2020 (7) and 2021 (13), though neither is formally rated Best.
- What are the most common problem areas across Volvo VNL years?
- Across all years, Suspension, Wheels & Tires account for 25% of complaints, Transmission & Powertrain 23%, Engine 20%, and Steering 16%, based on NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2016 Volvo VNL have a do-not-drive recall?
- Yes, NHTSA data lists one do-not-drive recall for the 2016 VNL, along with six total recall campaigns for that model year.