VehicleVerdict

2005 Volvo Vnl problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 2005 Volvo Vnl — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

7

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Vnl years?

Vnl NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted25 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 0 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 0 complaints1995: 0 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 8 complaints1999: 16 complaints2000: 12 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 1 complaints2003: 3 complaints2004: 5 complaints2005: 7 complaints2006: 11 complaints2007: 25 complaints2008: 3 complaints2009: 11 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 4 complaints2012: 7 complaints2013: 7 complaints2014: 11 complaints2015: 6 complaints2016: 15 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 12 complaints2019: 6 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 4 complaints2023: 1 complaints2024: 0 complaints2025: 0 complaints
Vnl NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Vnl years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Volvo Vnl problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering457%
Engine229%
Lighting114%

Does the 2005 Volvo Vnl have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V282000SteeringJune 24, 2010 · 63,788 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

09V173000Visibility & WipersMay 21, 2009 · 127,764 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

07V573000Electrical SystemDecember 14, 2007 · 104,845 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION (I.E. AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT BREAKERS) USED TO PROTECT THE VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION.

Consequence

IF A SHORT CIRCUIT OCCURS AND IS LEFT UNTREATED, COMPONENTS AND WIRING MAY BE SUBJECT TO OVERHEATING WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS WITH FUSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 25, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

06V021000EngineJanuary 26, 2006 · 33,102 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH D12D ENGINES, THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) COOLER INLET PIPES OR THE PIPES THAT CONNECT THE EGR VALVES TO THE COOLER MAY CRACK OR BREAK.

Consequence

IF THE PIPES OR THE COOLER INLET PIPES FAIL AND ARE LEFT UNTREATED, THE AIR CLEANER AND INNER FENDER MAY BE SUBJECT TO HOT EXHAUST GASES, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE EGR COOLER PIPES AS REQUIRED AND INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM OWNER LETTER WAS MAILED ON FEBRUARY 17, 2006, TO ADVISE ON PRECAUTIONS THAT THE OWNER CAN TAKE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED STARTING MARCH 3, 2006, THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

05V498000Tires & WheelsNovember 2, 2005 · 1,376 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT STEER AXLE AIR SUSPENSION MAY DEVELOP A FRONT WHEEL WOBBLE WHEN THE TIRES BECOME WORN.

Consequence

IF THE WOBBLE PERSISTS AND IS LEFT UNTREATED, DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD IMPAIR VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE THE FRONT VERTICAL SHOCKS ON EACH SIDE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND ADD A HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

05V346000OtherAugust 1, 2005 · 958 units

Defect

CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE TIRE SIZE DESIGNATION ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS NOT SHOWN.

Consequence

THE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS INCORRECT GIVING IMPROPER INFORMATION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CERTIFICATION LABELS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO VNL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY LIGHT AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL BUT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 14, 2011 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN WARMER WEATHER CONDITIONS THE ENGINE WOULD STALL WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. AS A CONSEQUENCE HIS RISK FOR VEHICLE CRASH IS INCREASED. IT WOULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MINUTES TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER IN WHICH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 10, 2009

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP REFLECTOR LENS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD SURFACE PROPERLY CAUSING EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 23, 2010

2005 Volvo Vnl — common questions

Is the 2005 Volvo Vnl reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2005 Volvo Vnl have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Volvo Vnl. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Volvo Vnl under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.