2003 Volvo VN problems

What is wrong

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 the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Risk

In the event of a crash, an insufficient seat belt weld may prevent the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant. This increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant.

Remedy

Volvo Trucks of America will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspected d-ring, free of change. The safety recall began on May 10, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1‑336‑393‑2000.

Recall number 12V510000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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.

Risk

If this occurs, excessive heat and smoke could result in an under hood fire.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the connector plate on the windshield wiper motor. Phase 2 of the recall began on november 1, 2004. Owners should contact volvo trucks at 1‑800‑528‑6586.

Recall number 04V457000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain trucks, a malfunction in the solenoid valve may allow air to be released to fifth wheel latch when the park brake is engaged.

Risk

This condition could cause the fifth wheel latch to release inadvertently when the park brake is engaged, creating the potential for loss of the trailer. A crash could occur without prior warning.

Remedy

Dealers will add an additional solenoid valve in series with the existing pneumatic circuit for the fifth wheel air release. The recall began on august 9, 2004. Owners should contact volvo at 1‑800‑528‑6586.

Recall number 04V315000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain heavy-duty class 8 trucks, the assembled engine pre-heater jumper wiring harness was incorrectly assembled.

Risk

The engine pre-heater could overheat resulting in damage to the pre-heater and other engine heat sensitive components near the pre-heater and the ability to re-start the engine could be compromised, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will repair the affected circuits in the jumper wiring harness connector. Owner notification is expected to begin during march 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volvo trucks at 1‑800‑528‑6586.

Recall number 04V077000 · Recall details

ODI opened Recall Query RQ11-001 after a review of EWR Field Reports identified lower bunk window separations on the subject vehicles.Volvo had issued three recalls for sleeper window separations since 2003.Additionally, Volvo had issued two bulletins for sleeper window issues during the same time period.The frequency of related actions led ODI to open this formal investigation.An Information Request (IR) letter was sent to Volvo on 23 June 2011.Volvo responded on 17 August 2011 and then provided updated warranty information on 9 January 2012.Volvo provided production change data and warranty information which was correlated to vehicle build month and failure date.ODI analyzed the data to determine if additional production time frames should have been included in previous recalls.ODI also requested information from its network of fleet owners.The response from this network reaffirmed the accuracy of the updated warranty information.Based on the information and data received, ODI has concluded that all production periods have been appropriately addressed by Volvo's previous recalls and no additional recall action is required at this time.

RQ11001

Odi opened this investigation based on a technical service bulletin and ewr data. Ewr warranty data is aggregate data and individual reports are not submitted.volvo reviewed their warranty data and determined that only 63 of the ewr warranty claims related to the subject vehicles displayed symptoms consistent with the tsb.volvo also noted in their ir response that the tail light configuration is used almost exclusively on tractors that are normally attached to semi trailers.therefore, the tractor lights are normally not the rear most lights on the vehicle.in a normal application, even if one tail light on the tractor was out, the tail light on the trailer would continue to illuminate and provide other drivers of the intentions of the semi trailer driver.pursuant to 49 cfr 396.11 & 13, a commercial vehicle operator is required to perform a pre-trip and post-trip inspection, which includes checking the functionality of the tail lights.given the above information, odi has not identified a safety-related defect trend at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

PE06054

Volvo reported four field reports and 62 warranty claims related to hood strut failure on the subject truck/tractors. The hood struts are a single acting oil shock that controls the rate of the opening of the hood. There are two struts attached to the hood assembly, one on each side. Odi's concern was that a failed hood strut would allow the hood to drop on one side, possibly injuring someone working on the engine. In examining the life cycle of hood struts in both truck and passenger car applications, odi found thatall hood struts require periodic replacement due to normal ?wear-out.?during the investigation, odi discovered that when the struts were replaced, the problem started to occur on the subject trucks.the failures resulted from the improper installation of the hood strut.this finding was substantiated by fleets contacted from information supplied by volvo, as well as visits to local dealers. During thisinvestigation, odi performed the following actions:a.reviewed warranty/engineering data provided by volvo;b.contacted the two initial complainants to gather moreinformation;c.conducted field trips to area dealers to inspect subjectvehicles;d.contacted two fleets from outside the washington d.c. Area to discuss their experience with these hood struts;ande.reviewed the appropriate service manuals.based on the data provided by volvo and the information gathered by odi, it is apparent that some dealers and owners may have beeninstallingreplacement struts incorrectly.depending on which model truck is being worked on, there are two distinct ways to mount the replacement strut to the frame rails.fleets contacted during this investigation reported no further issues with the struts once proper installation instructions were provided to them from volvo. Odi has discussed the matter with volvo and they have decided to revise the service manuals for these trucks to include pictures of both hood strut mounting arrangements in every service manual, regardless of truck model.therefore,if someone was using the incorrect manual, they would still be able to viewall the possible strut mountingarrangements, regardless of model.this investigation is closed, as a safety related defect with the hood struts has not been identified at this time. Further use of the agency?s resources are not currently warranted. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action on the vehicles if warranted by new circumstances.odi will continue to monitor field reports and take appropriate action if indicated.

PE05058