2011 Volvo VNL Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
No verdictComplaint Index
40/100
#10 most-complained of 16 VNL years
The 2011 Volvo VNL has 4 NHTSA complaints and 12 recalls, giving it a Complaint Index of 40, ranking it 10th of 16 model years. It sits well below the higher-complaint 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018 model years, which carry Avoid verdicts.
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 12
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2011 Volvo VNL problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System1 (25%)
- Engine1 (25%)
- Steering1 (25%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (25%)
What owners report
- Steering wheel locked up abnormally when turned while brakes were engaged, requiring six dealer visits without a fix.
- Check engine and engine fault lamps illuminated at 40 mph, traced to a defective NOx sensor at 247,000 miles.
- Engine ran intermittently over bumps or during acceleration, then shut down completely, with sparks and an electrical burning smell reported at 474,000 miles.
- Truck cabin jerked out of control over bumps or rough terrain; rear shocks and later all shocks were replaced but the problem recurred at 621,232 miles.
2011 Volvo VNL recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V643000Oct 13, 2015Structure & Body669 vehicles
Trailer hitches:fifth wheel assembly
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured June 21, 2010, to December 14, 2012. The affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, which, due to cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking mechanism, have a locking mechanism that may fail to operate or to properly engage.
Risk: If the fifth wheel and locking mechanism are sufficiently damaged, the locking mechanism may fail to operate as intended and the trailer may unexpectedly detach from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and Fontaine dealers will replace the fifth wheel with an Ultra NT model fifth wheel, free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1507.
- NHTSA 14V740000Nov 18, 2014Suspension, Wheels & Tires115 vehicles
Tires
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 VAH and VNL trucks manufactured May 12, 2010, to October 31, 2014. The affected vehicles may experience premature tire failure during certain operating conditions such as high speeds, heavy load, and high road temperature.
Risk: Premature tire failure could increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tires and set the road speed limiter, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1405.
- NHTSA 14V356000Jun 20, 2014Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,025 vehicles
Forward collision avoidance: crash imminent braking
Volvo Trucks of North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 VNL and 2014-2015 VNM trucks manufactured November 17, 2010, through February 5, 2014, and equipped with enhanced cruise control and without side fairings. In the affected vehicles, the active braking component of the enhanced cruise control can become disabled.
Risk: If the active braking feature becomes disabled, the vehicle may not automatically activate the brakes as intended when the enhanced cruise control system is in use, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1402.
2011 compared with other VNL years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Volvo VNL reliable?
- NHTSA lists 4 complaints and 12 recalls for the 2011 VNL, with a Complaint Index of 40. That ranks it 10th out of 16 model years covered, placing it in the middle of the pack rather than among the worst or best.
- What are the main problem areas for the 2011 Volvo VNL?
- Owner complaints are split evenly across Electrical System, Engine, Steering, and Suspension, Wheels & Tires, each accounting for 25% of complaints, with none tied to crashes or fires.
- Does the 2011 Volvo VNL have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 2011 VNL, covering structure and body, suspension/wheels/tires, collision avoidance, visibility, transmission and powertrain, and brakes; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2011 VNL compare to other Volvo VNL model years?
- The 2011 VNL's Complaint Index of 40 is lower than the 2012 (93), 2014 (80), 2016 (100), and 2018 (87) model years, all of which carry Avoid verdicts, making 2011 a relatively less complaint-heavy year.