Safety Recalls & Notices
We found 22 safety recalls for the 2011 Volvo Vnl. Recalls are sourced from both NHTSA (US) and Transport Canada databases. Contact your authorized Volvo dealer to schedule free repairs.
On certain vehicles with a governed road speed setting of 113 kilometers per hour (70MPH) or more that are outfitted with 295/60 R22.5 XZA2 Energy Tires and used in an auto transport application (i.e. truck modified with frame mounted to the truck to carry automobiles over the truck's front axle), a premature tire failure may occur on the front or steer axle as a result of certain operating conditions (high speeds, load and road temperature). A tire failure could cause the driver to lose vehicle control, which may result in a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will replace the tires and set the road speed governor.
On certain vehicles, the windshield wipers may fail. Loss of windshield wiping capability, should it occur during a rainy/snowy day, may compromise the driver’s ability to see the road and its users, which could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the wiper motor.
On certain vehicles, the secondary clutch disengagement switch may have been omitted during vehicle assembly or, in some instances, removed during servicing. As such, primary switch failure would cause the automated manual transmission’s clutch to remain engaged when the brakes are applied. This could increase stopping distances, possibly resulting in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will install a micro-switch at the brake pedal and update the software to run a diagnostic on the switch during engine start-up.
On certain trucks, the brake chambers may develop an air leak. As a result, the parking brake may not fully release. Park brake drag could result in a fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake chambers.
On certain trucks equipped with Bendix ATR-6 Antilock Traction Relay valves, in extremely cold conditions (at or below -18 degrees Celsius), internal ATR valve leakage can occur. This could cause unintended brake application, which could overheat the affected brakes and cause a fire. Also, in certain low traction conditions, unexpected brake application can cause a loss of vehicle control and a crash. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will update the cover assembly on the ATR valves.
On certain vehicles, the slack adjuster housings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which could allow the housings to fracture and fail. As a result, the wheel brake to which the slack adjuster is attached would no longer function, which could increase vehicle stopping distances. Should a steer axle slack adjuster fail, it could also cause the vehicle to pull to one side during braking. Either problem could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the slack adjusters.
On certain vehicles, there is a potential for the engine to start without warning due to an unintended path to ground. This can occur when either the negative battery cable is disconnected at the battery / fusible link or if the fusible link opens as a result of a short circuit. If the engine starts without warning, while being serviced, for example, it could cause personal injuries to anyone in the immediate vicinity. Correction: Dealers will install a jumper wiring harness between the engine harness and the chassis harness.
On certain vehicles, the tire description may be incorrect on the certification label, which is a non-compliance to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 120 - Tire Selection and Rims. The description listed on the label may be for a tire with a lower rating that cannot support the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) listed, which may result in a potential tire failure. Correction: Updated labels will be mailed to owners of affected vehicles, along with instructions for proper installation.
On certain vehicles, the adhesive bond between the upper bunk glass and the window frame may be insufficient, allowing the glass to come loose and fall out. If the window were to fall on the road in front of other vehicles, it may create the risk of a crash causing property damage, personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will remove and reseal the window.
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured June 21, 2010, to December 14, 2012. The affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, which, due to cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking mechanism, have a locking mechanism that may fail to operate or to properly engage.
If the fifth wheel and locking mechanism are sufficiently damaged, the locking mechanism may fail to operate as intended and the trailer may unexpectedly detach from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash.
Volvo will notify owners, and Fontaine dealers will replace the fifth wheel with an Ultra NT model fifth wheel, free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1507.
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