2001 Volvo Vhd recalls & complaints

1. Visibility (wipers / glass)

What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. A SEAL MAY FAIL ALLOWING WATER AND CONTAMINANTS TO SEEP INTO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.

What could happen: IF THIS HAPPENS A SHORT CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR, WHICH OVER TIME COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

The fix: 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. O…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 VHD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 09V173000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-528-6586.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Transmission / drivetrain

What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE FORWARD AND/OR REAR DRIVE AXLE UPPER AXLE SEAT CAN BREAK ALLOWING THE AXLE TO SHIFT OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

What could happen: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF AXLE STABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE UPPER AXLE SEAT FOR A CERTAIN DATE CODE THAT IS STAMPED ON THE PART, AND THOSE AXLES WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 15, 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…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 VHD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V036000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-528-6586.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS BUILT WITH A STEERABLE AUXILIARY AXLE AND EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN MERITOR-WABCO BRAKE SYSTEM TWO AND FOUR PORT RELAY VALVES. THE VALVE MAY STICK OPEN WHEN A HIGH-PRESSURE APPLICATION IS RELEASED.

What could happen: WHEN THE VALVE STICKS OPEN, IT CAN RESULT IN A TOTAL LOSS OF AIR FROM EITHER THE SERVICE OR THE PARK BRAKE SYSTEM. THE DRIVER MAY LOSE BRAKING ABILITY UNDER A SERVICE APPLICATION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE VALVES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 31, 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 OR MERITOR WABCO AT 800-535-5560.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 VHD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01V189006.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-528-6586.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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.

What could happen: 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…

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 VHD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V018003.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-528-6586.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. Steering

What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 AXLE BACK VEHICLES, THE TELESCOPING STEERING SHAFT IN SOME DRIVING SITUATIONS COULD BOTTOM OUT AND SIDE LOAD THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT WHENEVER THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN IS ADJUSTED TO THE LOWER POSITION.

What could happen: OVER TIME, THIS CONDITION COULD DAMAGE THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH.

The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RE-DESIGNED STEERING SHAFT, WHICH WILL NOT BOTTOM OUT DURING VEHICLE OPERATION REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN IS POSITIONED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 25, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 VHD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V156000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-528-6586.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

6. Trailer Hitches

What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. 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.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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 RECALL@JOSTINTERNATIONAL.COM…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 VHD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V204000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

7. Visibility (wipers / glass)

What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. 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.

What could happen: IF THIS OCCURS, EXCESSIVE HEAT AND SMOKE COULD RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 VHD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V457000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-528-6586.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

8. Steering

What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS. THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT MAY SIDE-LOAD THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN NON-UNIFORM STEERING WHEEL EFFORTS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, ONCE THE STEERING WHEEL TURN IS INITIATED, THE VEHICLE MAY CONTINUE TURNING WITHOUT RETURNING TO THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION WITH DRIVER EFFORT.

What could happen: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 19, 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 VHD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01V226000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-528-6586.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

9. Seat belts

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL TWO-MAN PASSENGER BENCH SEAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." ON THE TWO-MAN PASSENGER BENCH SEAT INBOARD (CENTER) POSITION, SEAT BELT D-RING MOUNTING BRACKET WELDNUT, THE WELD IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE SEAT BELT PULL REQUIREMENTS .

What could happen: THESE TRUCKS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT D-RING MOUNTING BRACKET. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 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 TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 VHD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V108000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-528-6586.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

10. Steering

What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS 8 HEAVY DUTY, AXLE BACK MODEL VEHICLES. THE DESIGN OF THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT BOOT COULD ALLOW THE BOOT TO GET ENTANGLED IN THE UNIVERSAL JOINT.

What could happen: THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR STEERING LOCK-UP.

The fix: OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO REMOVE THE UNIVERSAL JOINT BOOT PER INSTRUCTIONS. IF AN OWNER CHOOSES, A VOLVO TRUCK DEALER CAN PERFORM THE REMEDY FOR THEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WI…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 VHD.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01V092000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-528-6586.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Steering (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.