2019 Volvo VNL Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
No verdictComplaint Index
53/100
#8 most-complained of 16 VNL years
The 2019 Volvo VNL has 4 NHTSA complaints, 8 recalls, and a complaint index of 53, ranking 8th out of 16 model years. Suspension and transmission issues each account for half of reported complaints, with no crashes or deaths recorded.
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2019 Volvo VNL problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (50%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (50%)
- Engine1 (25%)
- Steering1 (25%)
What owners report
- Owners report the rear axle smoking and catching fire while driving around 50 mph, forcing the driver to detach the trailer.
- Some drivers describe the transmission slipping into neutral on downhill grades or when letting off the accelerator, at a median mileage of 1,600 miles.
- Owners describe front axle u-bolts losing tension, causing the steering wheel to shift orientation by as much as 30 to 45 degrees while driving over bumps.
- Some drivers report the truck pulling to the right at 65 mph with a thump felt in the steering wheel, traced to failed u-bolts securing the front leaf springs, at a median mileage of 409,228 miles.
2019 Volvo VNL recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V384000Jul 1, 2020Other89 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2021 VNL and VNR buses. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the rear drive axles stated on the Federal Certification Label exceeds the rating of the wheel hubs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Risk: If the rear axles are overloaded, over time the wheel hubs may fail prematurely, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and send corrected replacement labels, free of charge. The recall began August 18, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX2002.
- NHTSA 19V510000Jul 2, 2019Transmission & Powertrain24,848 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2019-2020 VAH, VHD, VNL, and VNR vehicles. The t-bolt clasps on the transmission auxiliary air tank straps may have been over-tightened, resulting in potential deformation to the strap where the t-bolt is anchored.
Risk: The deformation of the air tank strap t-bolts may cause the t-bolt to disconnect from the strap allowing the tank to drop to the ground and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo Trucks will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the air tank strap, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Truck's number for this recall is RVXX1904.
- NHTSA 19V509000Jul 2, 2019Electrical System235 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2018-2020 VAH, VHD, VNL, and VNR vehicles. The fuse in the transmission circuit may blow, preventing the transmission from shifting.
Risk: If the fuse blows the transmission may not shift, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo Trucks will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuse, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Truck's number for this recall is RVXX1903.
2019 compared with other VNL years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Volvo VNL reliable?
- NHTSA lists 4 complaints and 8 recalls for the 2019 VNL, with a complaint index of 53, placing it 8th out of 16 model years for reported problems.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Volvo VNL?
- Suspension, wheels and tires issues and transmission and powertrain issues each make up 50% of reported complaints, including u-bolt failures affecting steering and a transmission that slipped into neutral.
- Does the 2019 Volvo VNL have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2019 VNL, covering areas including transmission air tank straps, a transmission circuit fuse, sleeper bunk windows, tires, engine fuel lines, and fifth wheel couplings.
- How does the 2019 VNL compare to other Volvo VNL years?
- With a complaint index of 53, the 2019 VNL ranks better than years like 2016 (index 100) and 2012 (index 93), which carry an Avoid verdict, but worse than years such as 2020 (index 7) and 2021 (index 13).
- Were there any fires reported for the 2019 Volvo VNL?
- NHTSA lists 1 fire complaint for the 2019 VNL, involving smoke from the rear axle that developed into a fire while driving.