Does the 2012 Volvo VHD have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2012 Volvo VHD, the most recent reported on October 30, 2018 (Exterior lighting). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volvo VHD?

There are few or no owner complaints on file for the 2012 Volvo VHD.

2012 Volvo VHD recalls and problems

11 recalls and 0 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Volvo VHD.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

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.

2012 Volvo VHD recalls

Exterior lighting

NHTSA campaign 18V766000 · reported October 30, 2018 · Volvo Trucks North America · 4,625 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2004-2019 Volvo VHD trucks equipped with snow plow lamp preparation kits. The snow plow headlights can be turned on without other exterior lights, and high beam indicator will not work when the snow plow high beams are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: The driver may operate the vehicle with the snow plow headlights on but the marker and tail lamps off, reducing the vehicle's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the software related to the plow lights, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1804.

Suspension: front, control arm, lower ball joint · Suspension: front, control arm, upper ball joint

NHTSA campaign 16V735000 · reported October 13, 2016 · Volvo Trucks North America · 4,177 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 VHD trucks manufactured from April 7, 2008, through December 9, 2015, equipped with USK non-greasable drag links. The ball joint seals may be compromised, which can allow water and other contaminants to enter the ball joints.
The risk: If water and contaminants enter the ball joint, corrosion can occur and lead to accelerated wear, which over time can result in failure of the ball joint, possibly resulting in complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drag links, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1606.

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 14V739000 · reported November 18, 2014 · Volvo Trucks North America · 6,234 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012, 2014-2015 VHD, 2012-2015 VNL, and 2014-2015 VNM trucks manufactured June 16, 2011, to August 18, 2014, and equipped with the Eco-Roll option. The affected trucks may fail to re-engage the vehicle drivetrain after using the Eco-Roll feature.
The risk: If the drivetrain does not re-engage, the vehicle's stopping distance may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volvo has notified owners, and dealers will update the Eco-Roll software, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1406.

Visibility/wiper

NHTSA campaign 13V349000 · reported August 13, 2013 · Volvo Trucks North America · 17,824 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 VAH, VHD, VNL, and VNM trucks manufactured February 1, 2010, through September 30, 2010 and June 1, 2011, through November 30, 2011. The windshield wiper motor may fail.
The risk: Inoperable wipers may result in poor driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor, free of charge. The recallbegan on December 6, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000. Volvo's recall number is RVXX1304.

Power train: clutch assembly

NHTSA campaign 13V268000 · reported June 26, 2013 · Volvo Trucks North America · 23,056 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 VAH, VHD, VNL, VNM, and VT models. The affected vehicles were built without a redundant clutch disengagement switch. Without a redundant switch, a loss of signal from the brake air pressure switch can prevent the clutch from automatically disengaging when the brake is applied.
The risk: Without a signal to disengage the clutch when the brakes are applied, the distance required to stop the truck may lengthen, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volvo Trucks will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the vehicles if necessary. The recall began on August 26, 2013. Volvo's recall number is RVXX1303. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.

Parking brake: conventional, air

NHTSA campaign 13V152000 · reported April 22, 2013 · Volvo Trucks North America · 701 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VHD and VNL vehicles manufactured December 13, 2010, through July 17, 2012. These vehicles are equipped with an MGM Type 24 J-series piston parking brake chamber. The brake chambers may leak pressure allowing the parking brake to drag when it is supposed to be released. Brake dragging could lead to overheated brake components.
The risk: Overheated brake components could result in a fire.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners and the brake chambers will be replaced as needed, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or before, June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000. Volvos campaign recall number is RVXX1302.

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery, cables

NHTSA campaign 13V102000 · reported March 21, 2013 · Volvo Trucks North America · 5,207 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Volvo is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 VHD, VNL, and VNM trucks, manufactured from April 18, 2011, through March 14, 2013, and equipped with a horizontally mounted remote battery disconnect switch. The remote battery disconnect switch was manufactured with incorrect hardware allowing the cables to loosen. Additionally, as mounted, the cables may vibrate and chafe.
The risk: Loose or chafed cables may lead to overheating of the battery cable and switch which may result in a fire.
The fix: Volvo will send owners an interim letter and dealers will replace and relocate the remote battery disconnect switch. The recall began on May 7, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo's recall support line at 1-877-800-4945 and select option 1.

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.

Service brakes, air: supply, check valve

NHTSA campaign 12V036000 · reported February 1, 2012 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA · 21,625 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Volvo is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 vhd and model year 2011-2013 vnl and vnm vehicles, manufactured from december 2, 2010, through january 18, 2012, and equipped with bendix atr-6 traction relay valves. In extremely cold conditions, these bendix relay valves may potentially develop internal leakage. Internal leakage can lead to air pressure being delivered to affected primary or secondary brake causing continuous brake application.
The risk: Inadvertent brake application can cause the brakes to overheat and lead to a fire. Inadvertent brake application can cause the wheels to lock-up leading the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and provide a temporary repair until bendix develops a permanent remedy. A permanent remedy has been developed and notification to owners began on april 27, 2012. This service will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.

Power train: driveline

NHTSA campaign 11V294000 · reported May 20, 2011 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA · 341 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Volvo trucks is recalling certain model year 2012 vhd, vnl, and vnm trucks equipped with a meritor driveline. The tubing used to assemble the drivelines has a nonconforming seam weld with insufficient bonding of the material.
The risk: This can result in seam weld fracture when torque is applied. Once the tube seam weld is fractured, the driveline may become inoperable, which may result in a disabled vehicle or debris from the driveline falling onto the roadway, both of which can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the drivelines free of charge. The safety recall began on july 25, 2011. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.

Service brakes, air: slack adjusters

NHTSA campaign 11V265000 · reported May 3, 2011 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA · 2,765 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Volvo trucks is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 vhd, vnl, and model year 2012 vnm trucks manufactured from october 15, 2010, through january 31, 2011, and equipped with gunite automatic slack adjusters. Due to an incomplete "knitting" of the iron at the time of casting, inadequate structural integrity of the slack adjuster housing can occur, which could cause the housing to break at the handle under normal operating loads.
The risk: Slack adjusters with this flow notch could crack under normal braking conditions causing loss of braking which could result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Volvo trucks will notify owners and dealers will replace the subject slack adjusters free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about august 12, 2011. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.

VHD model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2009	6	0
2010	5	0
2011	9	0
2012	11	0
2013	6	1
2014	6	0
2015	5	0

All Volvo VHD years →

Questions

Does the 2012 Volvo VHD have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the 2012 Volvo VHD, the most recent reported on October 30, 2018 (Exterior lighting). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volvo VHD?: There are few or no owner complaints on file for the 2012 Volvo VHD.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026.