NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Volvo VHD Recalls & Complaints

The 2013 Volvo VHD has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volvo dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Volvo VHD. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2013 Volvo VHD owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2013 Volvo VHD, describing incidents dated July 26, 2012.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10523956 · Filed July 9, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLVO VHD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR INTAKE VENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR…

Read the full complaint

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2013 Volvo VHD in 2 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Audit Query AQ18-005: Discrepancies in Required CFR Reporting
Closed August 4, 2023
Preliminary Evaluation PE13-002: Stop Lamp Switch Signal
Closed July 3, 2013
- Recall 13V-268

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Incorrect Plow Light Software//FMVSS 108

NHTSA #18V766000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported October 30, 2018 · Volvo Trucks North America

Potentially affected: 4,625 vehicles

Repair completion: 43.37% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volvo campaign RVXX1804 · Owners notified December 19, 2018 · Vehicles built January 1, 2003 – October 23, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2004-2019 Volvo VHD trucks equipped with snow plow lamp preparation kits. The snow plow headlights can be turned on without other exterior lights, and high beam indicator will not work when the snow plow high beams are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Safety consequence

The driver may operate the vehicle with the snow plow headlights on but the marker and tail lamps off, reducing the vehicle's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the software related to the plow lights, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1804.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Ball Joints may Fail due to Corrosion

NHTSA #16V735000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Upper Ball Joint · NHTSA notice

Reported October 13, 2016 · Volvo Trucks North America

Potentially affected: 4,177 vehicles

Repair completion: 71.89% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Volvo campaign RVXX1606 · Owners notified December 2, 2016 · Vehicles built April 7, 2008 – December 9, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 VHD trucks manufactured from April 7, 2008, through December 9, 2015, equipped with USK non-greasable drag links. The ball joint seals may be compromised, which can allow water and other contaminants to enter the ball joints.

Safety consequence

If water and contaminants enter the ball joint, corrosion can occur and lead to accelerated wear, which over time can result in failure of the ball joint, possibly resulting in complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drag links, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1606.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Redundant Clutch Disengagement Signal

NHTSA #13V268000 · Power Train — Clutch Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported June 26, 2013 · Volvo Trucks North America

Potentially affected: 23,056 vehicles

Volvo campaign RVXX1303 · Owners notified August 26, 2013 · Vehicles built December 20, 2006 – May 22, 2013 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 VAH, VHD, VNL, VNM, and VT models. The affected vehicles were built without a redundant clutch disengagement switch. Without a redundant switch, a loss of signal from the brake air pressure switch can prevent the clutch from automatically disengaging when the brake is applied.

Safety consequence

Without a signal to disengage the clutch when the brakes are applied, the distance required to stop the truck may lengthen, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Volvo Trucks will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the vehicles if necessary. The recall began on August 26, 2013. Volvo's recall number is RVXX1303. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Leaking Brake Pressure may Lead to Wheel End Fire

NHTSA #13V152000 · Parking Brake — Conventional — Air · NHTSA notice

Reported April 22, 2013 · Volvo Trucks North America

Potentially affected: 701 vehicles

Volvo campaign RVXX1302 · Vehicles built December 13, 2010 – July 17, 2012 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VHD and VNL vehicles manufactured December 13, 2010, through July 17, 2012. These vehicles are equipped with an MGM Type 24 J-series piston parking brake chamber. The brake chambers may leak pressure allowing the parking brake to drag when it is supposed to be released. Brake dragging could lead to overheated brake components.

Safety consequence

Overheated brake components could result in a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Volvo will notify owners and the brake chambers will be replaced as needed, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or before, June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000. Volvos campaign recall number is RVXX1302.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Remote Battery Disconnect Switch/Cable Overheating

NHTSA #13V102000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery — Cables · NHTSA notice

Reported March 21, 2013 · Volvo Trucks North America

Potentially affected: 5,207 vehicles

Volvo campaign RVXX1301 · Owners notified May 7, 2013 · Vehicles built April 18, 2011 – March 14, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Volvo is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 VHD, VNL, and VNM trucks, manufactured from April 18, 2011, through March 14, 2013, and equipped with a horizontally mounted remote battery disconnect switch. The remote battery disconnect switch was manufactured with incorrect hardware allowing the cables to loosen. Additionally, as mounted, the cables may vibrate and chafe.

Safety consequence

Loose or chafed cables may lead to overheating of the battery cable and switch which may result in a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Volvo will send owners an interim letter and dealers will replace and relocate the remote battery disconnect switch. The recall began on May 7, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo's recall support line at 1-877-800-4945 and select option 1.

Notes

Volvo's recall campaign number is RVXX1301.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Seat Belt weld/FMVSS 210

NHTSA #12V510000 · Seat Belts · NHTSA notice

Reported October 18, 2012 · Volvo Trucks North America

Potentially affected: 1,496 vehicles

Volvo campaign RVXX1204 · Owners notified May 10, 2013 · Vehicles built August 4, 2000 – June 22, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Volvo is recalling certain model year 2002-2013 VHD and VN trucks, manufactured from August 4, 2000, through June 22, 2012, and equipped with bench passenger seats. The seat belt d-ring weld may not be sufficient enough to meet the seat belt pull test. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash, an insufficient seat belt weld may prevent the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant. This increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant.

Manufacturer remedy

Volvo Trucks of America will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspected d-ring, free of change. The safety recall began on May 10, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.

Notes

Volvo's recall campaign number is RVXX1204.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2013 Volvo VHD. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Volvo VHD.

Electrical System

ODI #10523956

Incident: July 26, 2012 · Filed: July 9, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLVO VHD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR INTAKE VENT. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1.

Other Volvo VHD model years

Check your 2013 Volvo VHD VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volvo VHD at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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