2013 Volvo VNL Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#7 most-complained of 16 VNL years
The 2013 Volvo VNL has a Complaint Index of 60 with 7 complaints and 14 recalls on file with NHTSA, ranking 7th worst among 16 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, better than 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018 which are rated Avoid.
- Complaints
- 7
- Recalls
- 14
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2013 Volvo VNL problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (29%)
- Brakes1 (14%)
- Engine1 (14%)
- Steering1 (14%)
- Structure & Body1 (14%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (14%)
What owners report
- Brake ECU faults trigger a TCS warning light and increase stopping distance, reported around 22,000 miles.
- A loose overhead window fabric cover repeatedly falls onto the driver's lap and can interfere with vehicle control.
- An exhaust flex pipe developed a hole, causing a leak that overworked the turbo and melted a nearby plastic wheel well, reported at 207,000 miles.
- Steering fails to hold the truck straight at 40 to 60 mph, requiring force on the wheel to keep control, reported at 276,000 miles; tie rod and tire replacement did not fix it.
- Bridgestone Greatec M885 super single tires lose traction at various speeds and driving conditions, reported at 270,000 miles.
2013 Volvo VNL recalls
14 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V928000Dec 22, 2016Brakes5,547 vehicles
Service brakes, air
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 VNL and VNM trucks and certain model year 2017 VNX trucks. In the affected vehicles, incorrect software for controlling the electronic air dryer may result in oil and water contaminating the brake system.
Risk: If the brake system becomes contaminated, braking performance could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module and replace the air dryer filter, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1608.
- NHTSA 16V467000Jun 27, 2016Suspension, Wheels & Tires129 vehicles
Suspension:front
Volvo Trucks North America, (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2013 VNM and VNL trucks manufactured April 16, 2012, to May 4, 2012. These vehicles are equipped with certain Meritor FF967 non-drive front steer axles that may have been incorrectly heat treated.
Risk: The improperly heat treated axles may fracture, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the axles for specific heat code serial numbers. The affected axles will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1605.
- 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.
2013 compared with other VNL years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Volvo VNL reliable?
- NHTSA lists 7 complaints and 14 recalls for the 2013 VNL, giving it a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict relative to other VNL model years.
- What are the main problems with the 2013 Volvo VNL?
- The top problem area is Suspension, Wheels & Tires, making up 29% of complaints, followed by Brakes, Engine, Steering, Structure & Body, and Visibility & Wipers each at 14%.
- How does the 2013 VNL compare to other years?
- The 2013 VNL ranks 7th worst out of 16 model years with a Complaint Index of 60, better than 2012 (93), 2014 (80), 2016 (100), and 2018 (87), all rated Avoid.
- Does the 2013 Volvo VNL have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 14 recalls for the 2013 VNL, covering areas including Brakes, Suspension, Structure & Body, Electrical System, and Collision Avoidance systems.
- At what mileage do 2013 VNL problems typically appear?
- Reported median mileage varies by issue: Brakes complaints occurred around 22,000 miles, Suspension issues around 141,000 miles, and Engine and Steering issues around 207,000 and 276,000 miles.