VehicleVerdict

2008 Volvo Vnl problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 3 complaints on file for the 2008 Volvo Vnl — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 12 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

3

NHTSA complaints

12

Recalls

3

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Vnl years?

See all Vnl years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Volvo Vnl problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes133%
Steering133%
Body & Structure133%

Does the 2008 Volvo Vnl have recalls?

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

13V268000TransmissionJune 26, 2013 · 23,056 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

10V492000OtherOctober 12, 2010 · 1,926 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 VHD, VNL, VNM, AS WELL AS 2008-2010 VT VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." THE TIRE DESCRIPTION MAY BE INCORRECT ON THE VEHICLE'S CERTIFICATION LABEL.

Consequence

THE MISINFORMATION ON THESE LABELS COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE OVERLOADING THAT CAN INCREASE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE LABELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

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.

08V028000EngineJanuary 24, 2008 · 798 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, AN INCORRECT SOFTWARE PARAMETER WAS LOADED WHICH RESULTED IN THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) 'INHIBIT' FUNCTION BEING DISABLED. THE 'INHIBIT' FUNCTION IS A MEANS FOR THE DRIVER TO STOP A DPF REGENERATION FROM OCCURRING IF A VEHICLE IS IN A LOCATION THAT MAY PRESENT A HAZARDOUS SITUATION.

Consequence

IF THE DRIVER BELIEVES THAT REGENERATION HAS BEEN STOPPED WHEN IT HAS NOT, IT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE CONTROL PARAMETERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2008. 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.

07V529000SteeringNovember 19, 2007 · 2,054 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING GEAR TO THE FRAME MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.

Consequence

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

07V496000Trailer HitchOctober 23, 2007 · 6,519 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A SAF HOLLAND SIMPLEX FIFTH WHEEL, THE LEVER ARM PIVOT BOLT MAY HAVE BEEN OVER TIGHTENED. AN OVER TIGHTENED PIVOT BOLT CAN DISTORT THE PIVOT BOLT SPACER SLEEVE, WHICH MAY PREVENT THE FIFTH WHEEL LATCH JAW FROM CLOSING AND LATCHING SECURELY AROUND THE TRAILER KING PIN.

Consequence

THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE PIVOT BOLT CAN BECOME LOOSE WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE DRIVER COULD DRIVE AWAY AND THE TRAILER COULD BECOME DISENGAGED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PIVOT BOLT AND SLEEVE WITH A HEX HEAD SHOULDER BOLT AND WASHER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

07V410000Body & StructureSeptember 10, 2007 · 956 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE HOOD RESTRAINT CYLINDER DOES NOT CONTAIN ENOUGH DAMPENING TO ADEQUATELY RESTRAIN THE HOOD.

Consequence

THE CYLINDERS COULD POSSIBLY SEPARATE, WHICH WOULD LEAVE THE HOOD UNRESTRAINED WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING THE HOOD.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD RESTRAINT CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

07V345000Fuel SystemAugust 7, 2007 · 677 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, AN UNPROTECTED LEAD IN THE THERMOSWITCH OF THE HEATER MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH ANOTHER POST POSSIBLY CREATING A SHORT CIRCUIT, WHICH CAN RESULT IN CONTINUOUS OPERATION OF THE HEATING ELEMENT.

Consequence

IF THE CONDITION EXISTS AND THE KEY IS LEFT ON WITHOUT FUEL IN THE FILTER, THE HEATING ELEMENT MAY HEAT TO A POINT WHERE A FLAME BECOMES PRESENT AT THE TIP OF THE ELEMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THERMOSWITCH AND WILL REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

07V323000SteeringJuly 24, 2007 · 9,102 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE NUT USED TO RETAIN THE STEERING SHAFT MAY OR MAY NOT BE A LOCK NUT THAT HAS THE LOCKING FEATURE. A LOCK NUT IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESISTANCE TO ENSURE THAT THE NUT DOES NOT COME LOOSE.

Consequence

IF THE NUT WERE TO COME LOOSE, THE STEERING SHAFT COULD POTENTIALLY SEPARATE RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT PINCH BOLTS AND LOCKNUTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

07V108000TransmissionMarch 16, 2007 · 84 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE AXLE HOUSINGS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH STEEL THAT WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FATIGUE FAILURE OVER TIME.

Consequence

IF A FATIGUE FAILURE OCCURS AND IS LEFT UNATTENDED, THE AXLE MAY LOCK UP OR THE END OF THE AXLE COULD COME OFF, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND INSPECT THE AXLES AND REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 9, 2007. 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 2008 VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED ON AN INCLINE AND APPLING THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ROLLED AWAY. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 16, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR AN INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THIS PARTICULAR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 3, 2015

2008 Volvo Vnl — common questions

Is the 2008 Volvo Vnl reliable?

The record is thin — 3 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 12 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2008 Volvo Vnl have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Volvo Vnl. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 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.