Total Complaints
5 filings
VOLVO VHD · model year
2003 VOLVO VHD
5 NHTSA complaints, and 11 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003VOLVOVHD carries 5 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 VHD is electrical system with 2 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (1) and engine and engine cooling:engine (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 11 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 28 investigation files overlapping the 2003 VHD. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
5
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
Recalls (11)
03V20400030/05/2003
TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY
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.
06V02100026/01/2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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.
09V17300021/05/2009
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
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.
03V10800020/03/2003
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL TWO-MAN PASSENGER BENCH SEAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." ON THE TWO-MAN PASSENGER BENCH SEAT INBOARD (CENTER) POSITION, SEAT BELT D-RING MOUNTING
12V51000018/10/2012
SEAT BELTS
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 th
04V45700017/09/2004
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH VALEO WIPER SYSTEMS, THE WIPER MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIVE TO SALT INTRUSION THAT COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A CONDITION WHERE THE CONNECTOR OVERHEATS TO A POINT WHERE THE CONNECTOR COULD IGNITE.
07V57300014/12/2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
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.
06V21300014/06/2006
WHEELS
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE WHEEL SPACER MAY BECOME DISTORTED FROM HEAT WHICH POTENTIALLY COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF CLAMP THAT MAY RESULT IN LOOSE WHEEL NUTS.
04V07800013/02/2004
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN
ON CERTAIN HEAVY-DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE PINCH BOLT ATTACHING THE STEERING DRAG LINK TO THE PITMAN ARM MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED.
04V07700013/02/2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON CERTAIN HEAVY-DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE ASSEMBLED ENGINE PRE-HEATER JUMPER WIRING HARNESS WAS INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED.
04V40400012/08/2004
SEATS
CERTAIN TRUCKS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, 'SEATING SYSTEMS.' THE BENCH SEAT, AS INSTALLED, DOES NOT THE SEAT PULL REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Recent Complaints
20101123ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NOVEMBER 12, 2010, WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY, AS SOLE OWNER/OPERATOR OF A 2003 VOLVO VHD 64F 10 WHEEL DUMP TRUCK THE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING STOPPED RUNNING. IT IMMEDIATELY BECAME A SAFETY ISSUE TO CONTROL THIS EMPTY TRUCK WITH NO EQUIPMENT TRAILER ATTACHED BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A VOLVO DEALER. IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY VOLVO AS AN ENGINE COMPUTER FAILURE. VOLVO HAS NOT EXPLAINED WHICH PART OF THIS (EECU) ENGINE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FAILED, WHICH I REQUESTED TO KNOW. THE EECU WAS REPLACED WITH A VOLVO REBUILT UNIT. THIS IS A PRODUCT SAFETY AND RELIABILITY ISSUE. THIS TRUCK HAS FIFTEEN THOUSAND, (15,000), ORIGINAL MILES. *TR
Mileage: 15,000
20101123ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NOVEMBER 12, 2010, WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY, AS SOLE OWNER/OPERATOR OF A 2003 VOLVO VHD 64F 10 WHEEL DUMP TRUCK THE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING STOPPED RUNNING. IT IMMEDIATELY BECAME A SAFETY ISSUE TO CONTROL THIS EMPTY TRUCK WITH NO EQUIPMENT TRAILER ATTACHED BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A VOLVO DEALER. IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY VOLVO AS AN ENGINE COMPUTER FAILURE. VOLVO HAS NOT EXPLAINED WHICH PART OF THIS (EECU) ENGINE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FAILED, WHICH I REQUESTED TO KNOW. THE EECU WAS REPLACED WITH A VOLVO REBUILT UNIT. THIS IS A PRODUCT SAFETY AND RELIABILITY ISSUE. THIS TRUCK HAS FIFTEEN THOUSAND, (15,000), ORIGINAL MILES. *TR
Mileage: 15,000
20091112ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE TRUCK WAS JUST WORKING AN AVERAGE DAY, HAULING HOT MIX ASPHALT, WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SKIP. BROUGHT THE TRUCK INTO DARIO DIESEL, THEY FOUND FAULTY INJECTOR CONNECTOR, HAD IT REPLACED. ONE MONTH LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED, AGAIN TOOK TRUCK TO DARIO DIESEL, THEY FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM, THEY REPAIRED THE CONNECTOR, AND SENT THE TRUCK ON ITS WAY. 2 MONTHS AFTER SECOND REPAIR, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THEY FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM, CORRECTED IT AND SENT THE TRUCK ON ITS WAY AGAIN. ONE MONTH AFTER THIRD REPAIR, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, AGAIN TOOK THE TRUCK TO DARIO DIESEL, THEY FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM AND SENT THE TRUCK ON ITS WAY. NOW THEY TELL US THE WHOLE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE CONNECTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE HAVE ALREADY SPENT $1397.00 HAVING THIS PROBLEM SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED. WE HAVE ALSO SENT A LETTER TO VOLVO TRUCKS TELLING THEM OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 213,763
20070402SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS MALFUNCTION BRAKE SHUTDOWN AND UNIT TURNED OF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. COULD NOT MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I PLACED VEHICLE IN COMPANY SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND INCIDENT CONTINUED TO OCCUR NUMEROUS TIMES. I SPOKE TO SWIFT OPERATION MANAGER SCOTT JOHNSON LOCATED IN OCALA FLORIDA ABOUT PROBLEM AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I SPOKE TO RICK PICKARD SWIFT FLEET MANAGE IN OCALA OFFICER AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I SPOKE TO ROB WHO IS THE HEAD SHOP MANAGER OF THE OCALA OFFICE. I REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE SENT TO VOLCO TECHNICIANS AND NOTHING WAS DONE. THEY PLACE THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN THREE CONSECUTIVE WEEKS FOR THE SAME INITIAL PROBLEM AND NOTHING WAS DONE. FURTHERMORE IT STATES IN THE VEHICLE MANUAL OF VOLVO, IF TOTAL SHUTDOWN OF VEHICLE OCCURS AT ANY TIME PLEASE NOTIFY VOLVO DIRECTLY AS WELL AS DOT TO REPORT VEHICLE PROBLEMS TO PREVENT ANY OUTCOME OF AN ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH. PAGE 134 OF VEHICLE MANUAL. *JB
20070402ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS MALFUNCTION BRAKE SHUTDOWN AND UNIT TURNED OF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. COULD NOT MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I PLACED VEHICLE IN COMPANY SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND INCIDENT CONTINUED TO OCCUR NUMEROUS TIMES. I SPOKE TO SWIFT OPERATION MANAGER SCOTT JOHNSON LOCATED IN OCALA FLORIDA ABOUT PROBLEM AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I SPOKE TO RICK PICKARD SWIFT FLEET MANAGE IN OCALA OFFICER AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I SPOKE TO ROB WHO IS THE HEAD SHOP MANAGER OF THE OCALA OFFICE. I REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE SENT TO VOLCO TECHNICIANS AND NOTHING WAS DONE. THEY PLACE THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN THREE CONSECUTIVE WEEKS FOR THE SAME INITIAL PROBLEM AND NOTHING WAS DONE. FURTHERMORE IT STATES IN THE VEHICLE MANUAL OF VOLVO, IF TOTAL SHUTDOWN OF VEHICLE OCCURS AT ANY TIME PLEASE NOTIFY VOLVO DIRECTLY AS WELL AS DOT TO REPORT VEHICLE PROBLEMS TO PREVENT ANY OUTCOME OF AN ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH. PAGE 134 OF VEHICLE MANUAL. *JB
Compare 2003VOLVOVHD to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2003 VOLVO VHD have?▼
The 2003 VOLVO VHD has 5 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 VOLVO VHD?▼
Yes, the 2003 VOLVO VHD has 11 recall(s). The most common affected component is TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 VOLVO VHD?▼
The most-complained component for the 2003 VOLVO VHD is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE.
Is the 2003 VOLVO VHD safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.