NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Volvo VNL Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 Volvo VNL has 7 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 2002 Volvo VNL. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2002 Volvo VNL owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2002 Volvo VNL, describing incidents dated January 4, 2004.

Most-cited components

  • Service Brakes 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10128728 · Filed

    DT: CALLER HAD A HEAVY DUTY TRUCK. CALLER SAID HE COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY IF THE BRAKES FAILED. CALLER HAD IT IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. MANUFACTURER SAID TO TAKE IT TO A LOCAL DEALER, WHO GUESSED AT WHAT WAS WRONG…

Read the full complaint

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Volvo VNL in 3 investigations. 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.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

DRAG LINK

NHTSA #10V282000 · Steering — Linkages — Drag — Link — Connection · NHTSA notice

Reported June 24, 2010 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 63,788 vehicles

Volvo campaign RVXX1003 · Owners notified September 2, 2010 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2006 VNL AND VNM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED WITH A TRW SEALED DRAG LINKS. CERTAIN FACTORS CAN EXIST, WHICH IF LEFT UNTREATED MAY RESULT IN A BALL SOCKET SEPARATION.

Safety consequence

BALL SOCKET SEPARATION AT THE DRAG LINK RESULTS IN COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING, AND THEREFORE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE BALL SOCKET OR THE DRAG LINK AS REQUIRED IF NECESSARY. AS PARTS ARE LIMITED, VOLVO TRUCKS MAILED AN INTERIM OWNER LETTER ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2010. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Notes

VOLVO RECALL NO. RVXX1003.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

WIPER MOTOR

NHTSA #09V173000 · Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer — Motor · NHTSA notice

Reported May 21, 2009 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

Potentially affected: 127,764 vehicles

Volvo campaign RVXX0902 · Owners notified September 30, 2009

Defect description

VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING 127,764 MY 2001-2008 VHD, VNL, VNM, AND MY 2005-2008 VT TRUCKS. A SEAL MAY FAIL ALLOWING WATER AND CONTAMINANTS TO SEEP INTO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.

Safety consequence

IF THIS HAPPENS A SHORT CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR, WHICH OVER TIME COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

VOLVO WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. SINCE THIS RECALL INVOLVES A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES, VOLVO WILL RELEASE THE RECALL IN STAGES AS PARTS ARE RECEIVED. PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO THE VEHICLES LOCATED IN THE REGIONS/STATES THAT HAVE A CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Notes

VOLVO TRUCKS RECALL NO. RVXX0902.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

VOLVO/BUNK LAMP

NHTSA #03V516000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer · NHTSA notice

Reported December 10, 2003 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 6,939 vehicles

Volvo campaign RVXX0308 · Owners notified December 24, 2003 · Vehicles built April 3, 2002 – November 5, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS, WHEN THE BUNK IS RAISED INTO THE STORED POSITION, AN OBJECT LEFT ON THE BUNK MAY INADVERTENTLY TURN ON A BUNK LAMP.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BUNK LAMP WITH A PUSH BUTTON ON/OFF SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCK AT 1-800-528-6586.

Notes

VOLVO RECALL NO. RVXX0308.CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VOLVO TRUCKS/ELECTRICAL SHORT

NHTSA #03V260000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice

Reported July 22, 2003 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC

Potentially affected: 422 vehicles

Volvo campaign RVXX0304 · Owners notified August 15, 2003 · Vehicles built October 3, 2001 – June 11, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE CHASSIS MOUNTED ELECTRICAL INVERTER MAY ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE INVERTER AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE INVERTER.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Notes

VOLVO RECALL NO. RVXX0305.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VOLVO/FIFTH WHEELS/FATIGUE CRACKS

NHTSA #03V204000 · Trailer Hitches — Fifth Wheel Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported May 30, 2003 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC

Potentially affected: 1,275 vehicles

Vehicles built January 2, 2001 – April 11, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH JOST INTERNATIONAL JSK 37U SERIES FIFTH WHEELS, A FATIGUE CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE BRACKET PIN WELD UNDER CERTAIN LOADING CONDITIONS.

Safety consequence

IF LEFT UNDETECTED OR CORRECTED IT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL TOP PLATE FROM ITS MOUNTING STRUCTURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET PINS AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT JOST INTERNATIONAL AT 616-846-7700 OR BY EMAIL TO [email protected] OR VOLVO TRUCK AT 800-528-6586.

Notes

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VOLVO/ARVINMERITOR/SKF/FRONT AXLE HUBS

NHTSA #03V199000 · Suspension — Front · NHTSA notice

Reported May 28, 2003 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC

Potentially affected: 433 vehicles

Volvo campaign RVXX0304 · Owners notified October 6, 2003 · Vehicles built August 6, 1998 – March 1, 2002 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK HUB UNITS MANUFACTURED BY SKF EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON ARVINMERITOR'S FF98X SERIES NON-DRIVE STEER AXLES, THE HUB UNIT BEARINGS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.

Safety consequence

SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FRONT AXLE HUBS. AN INTERIM NOTICE TO OWNERS WAS MAILED ON JUNE 25, 2003. FINAL OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-528-6586.

Notes

VOLVO RECALL NO. RVXX0304.CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VOLVO TRUCKS/FMVSS 108/LAMP MOUNTING

NHTSA #02V238000 · Exterior Lighting — Tail Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported September 9, 2002 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC

Potentially affected: 5,532 vehicles

Owners notified October 31, 2002 · Vehicles built November 11, 1990 – July 17, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE TWO TAIL LAMPS, BACK-UP LAMP,AND LICENSE TAG LAMP WERE MOUNTED ON INSUFFICIENTLY RIGID MOUNTS.

Safety consequence

IT MAY NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER OF A REARWARD APPROACHING VEHICLE TO HAVE FULL VIEW OF THE LAMPS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL ATTACH THE TWO TAIL LAMPS, BACK-UP LAMP, AND THE LICENSE TAP LAMP ON STIFFER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 31, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Volvo VNL model years

Check your 2002 Volvo VNL VIN

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

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