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.
The worst 2005 Volvo VNL problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Steering4
- Engine2
- Lights1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Steering4
- Engine2
- Lights1
Recalls 6
Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection
- 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: motor
- 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
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If a short circuit occurs and is left untreated, components and wiring may be subject to overheating which could possibly result in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the circuit breakers with fuses. The recall began on february 25, 2008. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1‑800‑528‑6586.
Recall number 07V573000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the pipes or the cooler inlet pipes fail and are left untreated, the air cleaner and inner fender may be subject to hot exhaust gases, which could lead to a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and repair the egr cooler pipes as required and install a heat shield free of charge. An interim owner letter was mailed on february 17, 2006, to advise on precautions that the owner can take until parts become available. Owners are being notified starting march 3, 2006, that parts are now available. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1‑800‑528‑6586.
Recall number 06V021000 · Recall details
Wheels
- What is wrong
- Certain trucks equipped with front steer axle air suspension may develop a front wheel wobble when the tires become worn.
- Risk
- If the wobble persists and is left untreated, damage may occur which could impair vehicle control and a crash could occur without prior notice.
- Remedy
- Dealers will repair and replace the front vertical shocks on each side of the front suspension and add a horizontal stabilizer. The recall began on february 20, 2006. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1‑800‑528‑6586.
Recall number 05V498000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- The certification label is incorrect giving improper information.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the certification labels. The recall began on september 12, 2005. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1‑800‑528‑6586.
Recall number 05V346000 · Recall details
See all 6 recalls for the 2005 Volvo VNL
Defect investigations
Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding
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
Drag Link Failure
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
Drag link failure
Odi has decided to upgrade this pe and conduct field work and testing.summary numbers in this resume are represenative of only the 2005 model year vehicles. See the attached report for details.
PE08053
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Volvo VNL 74
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- CBR: Volvo VHD & VN Models
- Barksdale Leveling Valve, Leak Test
- CBR: Programming Failure
- Engine Control Module (EMS) Software (MSW) Information – August 2022; Improvement List (Change Log)
- Warranty Automated Manual Transmission ( AMT, I-Shift, mDrive ) Control Housing Assembly; Guidelines For...
- (Back Office)
- DTC U012100
- Programming Failure
- AMT Control Housing Bench Testing
- Volvo Chassis
What 2005 Volvo VNL owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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
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.
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
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.
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
Compare the 2005 Volvo VNL
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Questions about the 2005 Volvo VNL
Is the 2005 Volvo VNL reliable?
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2005 Volvo VNL, 1.2 times a typical VNL model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Volvo VNL?
Steering, with 4 complaints. Next is engine (2).
How many recalls does the 2005 Volvo VNL have?
6 recalls, covering steering, visibility and electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Volvo VNL steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 10V282000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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