Total Complaints
7 filings
Volvo VNL · model year
2005 Volvo VNL
7 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 6 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
- Complaints
- 7
- Recalls
- 6
The verdict
The 2005 Volvo VNL posts above-average complaint volume among its own model-year siblings.
- 43rd pctile
- complaint volume, own model years
- 6
- recall campaigns
The 2005VolvoVNL carries 7 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2005 VNL is steering with 4 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel (1) and exterior lighting (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA currently has 28 investigation files overlapping the 2005 VNL. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
7
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2005 Volvo VNL
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.
Crashes Reported
2 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 |
|---|---|
| STEERING | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
Recalls (6)
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.
10V28200024/06/2010
STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION
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.
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.
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.
05V49800002/11/2005
WHEELS
CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT STEER AXLE AIR SUSPENSION MAY DEVELOP A FRONT WHEEL WOBBLE WHEN THE TIRES BECOME WORN.
05V34600001/08/2005
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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.
Recent Complaints
20180416ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO ISX ST2 HEAVY TRUCK (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. ADDITIONALLY, THE COOLANT COMPARTMENT WAS LOW AND HAD TO BE REFILLED SEVERAL TIMES BY THE CONTACT. THE COOLANT LOW WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 622,253. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 622,253
20141201CrashSTEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 VOLVO VNL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHAFT STRIPPED INSIDE THE INTERNAL STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 721,000. UPDATED 1/7/15*CN
Mileage: 721,000
20111219CrashSTEERING
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 TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE DRAG LINK, LUG NUTS AND THE BOLTS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WOULD NEED REPLACING. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE RODS WOULD ALSO NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 772,539.
Mileage: 772,539
20110113EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 APPROXIMATELY 638,000. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF UPDATED 12/14/11 *CN
Mileage: 638,000
20101110STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO VNL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT BUT THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND SHUT OFF. IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HE TIGHTENED SOME OF THE STEERING MECHANISMS HIMSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 689,970.
Mileage: 689,970
20090828STEERING
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 THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. 10/26/09. *LJ THE POWER STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 10/26/09
Mileage: 350,000
20090828ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
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 THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. 10/26/09. *LJ THE POWER STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 10/26/09
Mileage: 350,000
Compare 2005VolvoVNL to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Vehicle Safety Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2005 Volvo VNL have?▼
The 2005 Volvo VNL has 7 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 Volvo VNL?▼
Yes, the 2005 Volvo VNL has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Volvo VNL?▼
The most-complained component for the 2005 Volvo VNL is STEERING with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL and EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Is the 2005 Volvo VNL 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.
Data vintage: August 2026. 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.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2005 Volvo VNL; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.