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2001 Volvo VNL problems

It has fewer complaints than a typical VNL model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
8
Service bulletins
66

The worst 2001 Volvo VNL problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Recalls 8

Steering: linkages: drag: link: connectionReported June 24, 2010 · 63,788 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Ball socket separation at the drag link results in complete loss of steering, and therefore can result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and repair the ball socket or the drag link as required if necessary. As parts are limited, volvo trucks mailed an interim owner letter on september 2, 2010. The safety recall began on february 14, 2011. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1‑800‑528‑6586.

Recall number 10V282000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motorReported May 21, 2009 · 127,764 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If this happens a short circuit may occur, which over time could possibly lead to a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Volvo will replace the wiper motor free of charge. Since this recall involves a large number of vehicles, volvo will release the recall in stages as parts are received. Priority will be given to the vehicles located in the regions/states that have a corrosive environment. The recall began on september 30, 2009. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1‑800‑528‑6586.

Recall number 09V173000 · Recall details

Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assemblyReported May 30, 2003 · 1,275 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If left undetected or corrected it could lead to the separation of the fifth wheel top plate from its mounting structure, possibly resulting in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the bracket pins and repair instructions free of charge. 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 jost international at 616‑846‑7700 or by email to [email protected] or volvo truck at 800‑528‑6586.

Recall number 03V204000 · Recall details

Suspension: frontReported May 28, 2003 · 433 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain trucks equipped with truck hub units manufactured by skf exclusively for use on arvinmeritor's ff98x series non-drive steer axles, the hub unit bearings can wear prematurely.
Risk
Seizure of the bearings can cause wheel separation or wheel end fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace all front axle hubs. An interim notice to owners was mailed on june 25, 2003. Final owner notification began on october 6, 2003. 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 at 1‑800‑528‑6586.

Recall number 03V199000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: tail lights: switchReported September 9, 2002 · 5,532 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain heavy duty class 8 trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the two tail lamps, back-up lamp,and license tag lamp were mounted on insufficiently rigid mounts.
Risk
It may not allow the driver of a rearward approaching vehicle to have full view of the lamps.
Remedy
Dealers will attach the two tail lamps, back-up lamp, and the license tap lamp on stiffer brackets. Owner notification began october 31, 2002. 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 02V238000 · Recall details

Service brakes, air: antilockReported April 11, 2002 · 208 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain heavy duty class 8 vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 121, "air brake systems", s5.1.6.3, "antilock power for towed vehicles." electrical power for the trailer anti-lock braking system (ABS) can be disrupted when a switch located on the vehicle instrument panel is activated to control lighting within the trailer.
Risk
If this condition occurs, the driver can lose of the towed vehicle, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install a wiring harness which will provide continuous electrical power to the trailer ABS whenever the ignition switch is in the on or run position. Owner notification began april 29, 2002. 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 02V110000 · Recall details

Service brakes, air: supply: check valveReported February 11, 2002 · 1,814 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with meritor wabco pneumatic anitlock brake system (ABS) valve packages, the assembly bolts on these valve packages were not tightened correctly.
Risk
Bolts torqued below specification will not reliably prevent air leakage at the affected ABS valve package interface joints once the component begins normal vehicle operation. If air leaks develop at any of the ABS valve package interface joints, brake system pressure reductions could occur during braking or normal operation with units equipped with the traction control option, potentially extending stopping distances, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will tighten the fasteners to the proper specification. Owner notification began february 27, 2002. 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 02V018003 · Recall details

Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)Reported June 18, 2001 · 598 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: heavy duty class 8 trucks. The wrong steering column to steering gear shaft may have been installed in these vehicles. Using the shorter vnm steering shaft could result in steering shaft being operated (steering column extended adjustment) outside the normal operating range of the steering shaft.
Risk
Over time this condition could result in accelerated wear in the shaft with the potential for loss of steering as a result.
Remedy
Dealers will install the correct lower steering shaft. Owner notification began june 27, 2001. 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 01V201000 · Recall details

See all 8 recalls for the 2001 Volvo VNL

Defect investigations

Drag Link FailureOpened January 15, 2009, closed July 6, 2010

EA09-003 is closed with the submission of Volvo's recall 10V‑282 recalling approximately 111,034 Model Year (MY) 1998 through 2005 VN and VNL class 8 trucks.Volvo announced recall 10V‑282 in response to the federal safety agency's recall request letter dated June 3, 2010 (available at the federal safety agency's web site . the federal safety agency found that these vehicles were designed and manufactured with a TRW ball joint that does not meet the combined performance requirements and foreseeable inspection practices of the U.S. market.The ball joint in the steering system that connects the driver's side steering arm/knuckle to the drag link can fail resulting in a total loss of steering on the vehicle.Volvo changed the size and supplier of the ball joint used on these vehicles starting with the 2006 MY vehicles.The failure rates on the vehicles manufactured with the larger ball joint are significantly less than the subject vehicles.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by ODI that no safety defect exists in the vehicles that are not included in Volvo's recall.ODI will continue to monitor the incidence of drag link failures in other MY Volvo trucks.Note:The recall request letter dated June 3, 2010 associated with this investigation describes 49 incidents of ball joint separation.After a comprehensive review of the data it was discovered that the number of separations that the federal safety agency was aware of was 41 with a failure rate of 36.9 R/100K.The 41 separations resulted in 23 crash allegations.

EA09003

Integral hub and bearing assemblyOpened December 11, 2002, closed May 30, 2003

The companies involved in this matter are: skf (hub mfr), arvinmeritor (front axle mfr), and volvo (manufacturer of class viii tractor/trucks).skf identified manufacturing defects for specific build dates on front axle hub and bearings (wheel bearings) supplied to arvinmeritor.as a result, arvinmeritor notified volvo of axles supplied with possible defective front hub assemblies.as a result of that notification, 433 trucks are being recalled by volvo for defective front axle wheel bearings which may fail in such a way that a wheel separation or wheel bearing fire occurs.see attached summary report for additional details.

PE02095

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Volvo VNL 66

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 66 bulletins for the 2001 Volvo VNL

What 2001 Volvo VNL owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 9, 2001 · 00

Consumer states the cluster display/fuel mgt. Panel is bad, fawr is 12,350, truck weight kingpin at center splitting the drives and empty trailer attached is 10,860 fuel at almost full capacity, dual 125 gallon tanks per drivers.

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Questions about the 2001 Volvo VNL

Is the 2001 Volvo VNL reliable?

Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2001 Volvo VNL, fewer than a typical VNL model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Volvo VNL?

There are not enough complaints to tell.

How many recalls does the 2001 Volvo VNL have?

8 recalls, covering steering, visibility and trailer hitches.

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