2006 Volvo Vnl problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2006 Volvo Vnl — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 7 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Vnl years?

Vnl NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Vnl years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Volvo Vnl problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Steering	3	27%	— flat
Suspension	3	27%	— flat
Lighting	2	18%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	2	18%	▲ up
Airbags	1	9%	new

Does the 2006 Volvo Vnl have recalls?

7 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.

09V030000BrakesJanuary 27, 2009 · 366 units

Defect

VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING 366 MY 2006-2009 VNL TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SUPER SINGLE TIRES, BENDIX BRAKE CAM TUBES, AND VOLVO AIR SUSPENSION. THE VIBRATION FREQUENCY FROM THE SUSPENSION WITH SUPER SINGLE TIRES MAY RESULT IN A FATIGUE CRACK OF THE MOUNTING BRACKETS FOR THE BRAKE CAM TUBE.

Consequence

IF LEFT UNTREATED, THE CRACK CAN PROPAGATE AND CAUSE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE CAM TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET(S), WHICH CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKES AT THE CORRESPONDING WHEEL END INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A SUPPORT BRACKET TO THE BRAKE CAM TUBE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 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.

“WAS DRIVING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 95 AT 55 MPH, WENT TO TURN WHEEL ON CURVE, AND HAD COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING. WHEEL TURNED, BUT WHEELS STAYED STRAIGHT. WAS SURROUNDED BY AT LEAST 10 OTHER VEHICLES WHO WERE ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. I THEN RAN OFF SIDE OF ROAD INTO DITCH WITH TRAILER ATTACHED…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 6, 2016

“RUSSO TRUCKING, CORP. OWNS TWO VOLVO TRUCKS WITH MAJOR STEERING AND FRONT AXLE PROBLEMS, WHICH VOLVO TRUCKS OF NORTH AMERICA AND THE DEALER NEXTRAN TRUCK CENTER AT POMPANO BEACH, FL SEEMS THAT CAN'T FIX, WE HAVE TAKEN OUR TRUCKS TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM TO SEVERAL PLACES, AND NOBODY HAS BEEN ABLE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 22, 2006

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE CLEAR PLASTIC THAT COVERED THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WOULD IMPAIR THE DISTANCE OF ILLUMINATION CAUSING HIM TO UTILIZE THE HIGH BEAMS INSTEAD IN ORDER TO PROPERLY SEE THE ROADWAY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 28, 2009

“2006 VOLVO VNL64T, UNIT 2 TIRE AND RIM CAME OFF AT MILE POST 57.8. UNIT 2 DIDN'T REALIZE HE LOST HIS TIRE AND RIM UNTIL HE WAS AT MILE POST 53. SUPPLEMENTED OH-2 WITH TURNPIKE DAMAGE. SEVERAL VEHICLES WERE DAMAGE. *BF OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH POLICE REPORT NUMBERS;10-0237-89, 10-0238-89, AND 10-0240-898.…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 23, 2010

“RUSSO TRUCKING, CORP. OWNS TWO VOLVO TRUCKS WITH MAJOR STEERING AND FRONT AXLE PROBLEMS, WHICH VOLVO TRUCKS OF NORTH AMERICA AND THE DEALER NEXTRAN TRUCK CENTER AT POMPANO BEACH, FL SEEMS THAT CAN'T FIX, WE HAVE TAKEN OUR TRUCKS TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM TO SEVERAL PLACES, AND NOBODY HAS BEEN ABLE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 22, 2006

2006 Volvo Vnl — common questions

Is the 2006 Volvo Vnl reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 7 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2006 Vnl problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (3 complaints), steering (3 complaints), tires & wheels (2 complaints).

Does the 2006 Volvo Vnl have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Volvo Vnl. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Volvo Vnl under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2006 compare to other Vnl years?

What are the most common 2006 Volvo Vnl problems?

Does the 2006 Volvo Vnl have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2006 Volvo Vnl — common questions

Is the 2006 Volvo Vnl reliable?

What are the most common 2006 Vnl problems?

Does the 2006 Volvo Vnl have recalls?

Is the 2006 Volvo Vnl under NHTSA investigation?

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