2003 Volvo Vn recalls & complaints

1. Seat belts

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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."

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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.

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 2003 VN.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 12V510000.
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: 1-336-393-2000.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. 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 2003 VN.
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.

3. Trailer Hitches

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

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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.

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 2003 VN.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V315000.
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. Engine

What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. ON CERTAIN HEAVY-DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE ASSEMBLED ENGINE PRE-HEATER JUMPER WIRING HARNESS WAS INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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…

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 2003 VN.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V077000.
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: Unknown Or Other (1), Latches / locks (1), Suspension (1).

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