VOLVO VNL · model year

2006 VOLVO VNL

11 NHTSA complaints, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006VOLVOVNL carries 11 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 2006 VNL is steering with 3 filings, followed by exterior lighting (2) and air bags (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 7 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 2006 VNL. 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.

11
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

11 filings

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

ComponentCount
STEERING3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
AIR BAGS1
SUSPENSION1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE1
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS1
TIRES1

Recalls (7)

09V03000027/01/2009

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

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.

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

20161007STEERING

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 CARRYING 40,000 POUNDS WAS STUCK IN THE HIGHWAY.

Mileage: 893,000

20110921STEERING

VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT A LOCAL SHOP WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE DRAG LINK WAS ON RECALL AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A SAFETY ISSUE. DRAG LINK WAS IN A VERY BAD SHAPE AND I WAS ADVISED THAT I WAS NOT TO CONDUCT DRIVING IN THAT CONDITION. REPAIRS HAVE BEEN PROCESSED, NOW I NEED TO BE PAID FOR THE RECALL PART. PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY FOR MORE INFORMATION. VIN: [XXX] YR: 2006 MODEL: VNL MAKE: VOLVO INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20101228EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 ADVISED THE CONTACT TO PURCHASE A KIT TO IMPROVE THE ILLUMINATION DISTANCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 430,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300,000. UPDTATED 2/17/11 *CN THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE LIGHTS. UPDATED 02/28/11

Mileage: 300,000

20100726WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

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. *JB UPDATED 08/05/10 *BF UPDATED 10/13/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHEELS DID NOT COME OFF THE POWER UNIT. THE TIRE AND RIMS CAME OFF THE TRAILER. UPDATED 10/19/10

20100726TIRES

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. *JB UPDATED 08/05/10 *BF UPDATED 10/13/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHEELS DID NOT COME OFF THE POWER UNIT. THE TIRE AND RIMS CAME OFF THE TRAILER. UPDATED 10/19/10

20090110EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I DRIVE A 2006 VNL VOLVO WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON DIM YOU CANNOT HARDLY SEE THE ROAD MOST OF THE TIME ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS RAINING I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY DRIVERS WITH THIS SAME TYPE OF TRUCK AND THEY ALL SAY THE SAME THING ABOUT THE POOR LIGHTING SYSTEM WHEN ON DIM I HAVE CHECKED EVERYTHING TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE OR REASON FOR THIS INCLUDING HOW MANY VOLTS ARE GETTING TO THE LIGHTS AND EVEN REPLACING THE BULBS MANY TIMES WITH DIFFERENT BRANDS AND USING A HIGHER WATTAGE BULB WITH NO BETTER RESULTS MANY TIMES I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN A WRECK BECAUSE OF THIS AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE VOLVO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM I HAVE DRIVEN THIS TRUCK SINCE IT WAS NEW AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY. *TR

20060908SUSPENSION:FRONT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRACTOR TRAILER'S STEERING SYSTEM PULLED TO EITHER SIDE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN MANY DIFFERENT STATES WHO DETERMINED ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER EQUIPMENT FOR HEAVY TRUCK ALIGNMENT SO IT HAD BEEN REFERRED TO OTHER COMPANIES WITH THE SPECIALIZED ALIGNMENT EQUIPMENT. AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN IN FOR ALIGNMENT NINE TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ALSO, THE TREAD LOCATED IN MIDDLE OF BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE EXCESSIVELY WORN OUT. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ALIGNMENT AS THE SOURCE OF THIS IRREGULAR WEAR. THE THIRD PROBLEM WAS ON THE SEMI REAR AXLE, WHICH WAS NOT PARALLEL TO THE MIDDLE AXLE CREATING IRREGULAR ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT OF THE TRAILER, WHICH ENTAILED A SERIOUS RISK TO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. THE INNER TIRE OF THE REAR AXLE WORE EXCESSIVELY INDICATING STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN

Mileage: 40,000

20060908SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRACTOR TRAILER'S STEERING SYSTEM PULLED TO EITHER SIDE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP IN MANY DIFFERENT STATES WHO DETERMINED ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER EQUIPMENT FOR HEAVY TRUCK ALIGNMENT SO IT HAD BEEN REFERRED TO OTHER COMPANIES WITH THE SPECIALIZED ALIGNMENT EQUIPMENT. AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN IN FOR ALIGNMENT NINE TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. ALSO, THE TREAD LOCATED IN MIDDLE OF BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE EXCESSIVELY WORN OUT. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ALIGNMENT AS THE SOURCE OF THIS IRREGULAR WEAR. THE THIRD PROBLEM WAS ON THE SEMI REAR AXLE, WHICH WAS NOT PARALLEL TO THE MIDDLE AXLE CREATING IRREGULAR ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT OF THE TRAILER, WHICH ENTAILED A SERIOUS RISK TO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. THE INNER TIRE OF THE REAR AXLE WORE EXCESSIVELY INDICATING STRUCTURAL DEFECT IN

Mileage: 40,000

20060822AIR BAGS

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 TO FIX IT, WE ARE AFRAID THAT OUR VOLVO TRUCKS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I WILL MENTION SOME OF THE SHOPS WHERE WE HAVE TAKEN OUR TRUCKS: ML TIRE IN MIAMI, VOLVO IN POMPANO BEACH, FL, JOSAN IN ORLANDO, FL, VOLVO DEALER IN NC, VOLVO DEALER IN KNOXVILLE, TN, VOLVO DEALER IN ARKANSAS, VOLVO DEALER IN CHATTANOOGA, TN, VOLVO DEALER IN CT. ETC. *JB

20060822SUSPENSION

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 TO FIX IT, WE ARE AFRAID THAT OUR VOLVO TRUCKS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I WILL MENTION SOME OF THE SHOPS WHERE WE HAVE TAKEN OUR TRUCKS: ML TIRE IN MIAMI, VOLVO IN POMPANO BEACH, FL, JOSAN IN ORLANDO, FL, VOLVO DEALER IN NC, VOLVO DEALER IN KNOXVILLE, TN, VOLVO DEALER IN ARKANSAS, VOLVO DEALER IN CHATTANOOGA, TN, VOLVO DEALER IN CT. ETC. *JB

20060822STEERING

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 TO FIX IT, WE ARE AFRAID THAT OUR VOLVO TRUCKS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I WILL MENTION SOME OF THE SHOPS WHERE WE HAVE TAKEN OUR TRUCKS: ML TIRE IN MIAMI, VOLVO IN POMPANO BEACH, FL, JOSAN IN ORLANDO, FL, VOLVO DEALER IN NC, VOLVO DEALER IN KNOXVILLE, TN, VOLVO DEALER IN ARKANSAS, VOLVO DEALER IN CHATTANOOGA, TN, VOLVO DEALER IN CT. ETC. *JB

Compare 2006VOLVOVNL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 VOLVO VNL have?
The 2006 VOLVO VNL has 11 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 VOLVO VNL?
Yes, the 2006 VOLVO VNL has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, AIR. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 VOLVO VNL?
The most-complained component for the 2006 VOLVO VNL is STEERING with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2006 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.

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.