Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2003 Volvo VHD recalls
Seat belts
NHTSA campaign 12V510000 · reported October 18, 2012 · Volvo Trucks North America · 1,496 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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."
- The 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.
- 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.
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer, motor
NHTSA campaign 09V173000 · reported May 21, 2009 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA · 127,764 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Electrical system: wiring, fuses and circuit breakers
NHTSA campaign 07V573000 · reported December 14, 2007 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA · 104,845 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Wheels
NHTSA campaign 06V213000 · reported June 14, 2006 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 873 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain trucks, the wheel spacer may become distorted from heat which potentially could lead to a loss of clamp that may result in loose wheel nuts.
- The risk
- If the wheel nuts loosen for any reason, damage to the wheel studs and wheel may occur, and may lead to a complete separation of the wheels from the truck which could result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the wheel spacers and the wheel equipment (wheels,studs, and hub) will be inspected for damage and replaced if necessary free of charge. The recall began on june 26, 2006. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
NHTSA campaign 06V021000 · reported January 26, 2006 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 33,102 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer, motor
NHTSA campaign 04V457000 · reported September 17, 2004 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 56,154 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
Seats
NHTSA campaign 04V404000 · reported August 12, 2004 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 126 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Certain trucks fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207, 'seating systems.' the bench seat, as installed, does not the seat pull requirements of the standard.
- The risk
- The seat anchorage to the floor may not be sufficient to retain the adjusted seating position, which could lead to personal injury or death in the even tof a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the passenger side bench seat with a different brand of seat. The recall began november 1, 2004. Owners should contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA campaign 04V077000 · reported February 13, 2004 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 2,112 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain heavy-duty class 8 trucks, the assembled engine pre-heater jumper wiring harness was incorrectly assembled.
- The 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.
- 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 1-800-528-6586.
Steering: gear box, shaft pitman
NHTSA campaign 04V078000 · reported February 13, 2004 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 92 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain heavy-duty class 8 trucks, the pinch bolt attaching the steering drag link to the pitman arm may not have been sufficiently tightened.
- The risk
- The bolt could loosen allowing the drag link and pitman arm to separate, resulting in uncontrollable steering which could result in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a new pinch bolt and tighten to the required torque. 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.
Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly
NHTSA campaign 03V204000 · reported May 30, 2003 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC · 1,275 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- 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 [email protected] or volvo truck at 800-528-6586.
Seat belts: front, anchorage
NHTSA campaign 03V108000 · reported March 20, 2003 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC · 396 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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 .
- The risk
- 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 owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Nov 23, 2010 · Electrical system · 15,000 miles
NOVEMBER 12, 2010, WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY, AS SOLE OWNER/OPERATOR OF A 2003 VOLVO VHD 64F 10 WHEEL DUMP TRUCK THE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING STOPPED RUNNING. IT IMMEDIATELY BECAME A SAFETY ISSUE TO CONTROL THIS EMPTY TRUCK WITH NO EQUIPMENT TRAILER ATTACHED BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE…
Nov 12, 2009 · Engine and engine cooling · 213,763 miles
THE TRUCK WAS JUST WORKING AN AVERAGE DAY, HAULING HOT MIX ASPHALT, WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SKIP. BROUGHT THE TRUCK INTO DARIO DIESEL, THEY FOUND FAULTY INJECTOR CONNECTOR, HAD IT REPLACED. ONE MONTH LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED, AGAIN TOOK TRUCK TO DARIO DIESEL, THEY FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM, THEY REPAIRED THE…
Apr 2, 2007 · Service brakes, hydraulic
ABS MALFUNCTION BRAKE SHUTDOWN AND UNIT TURNED OF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. COULD NOT MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I PLACED VEHICLE IN COMPANY SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND INCIDENT CONTINUED TO OCCUR NUMEROUS TIMES. I SPOKE TO SWIFT OPERATION MANAGER SCOTT JOHNSON LOCATED IN OCALA FLORIDA ABOUT PROBLEM AND NOTHING…
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received November 23, 2010.