Free Preview
#BS-2012-VOLVNL-3A402012 Volvo Vnl
Based on reports from 7 owners and 14 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Green Light
Based on 7 complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, and 14 recalls.
Preview: What's in your full report
Each card shows a real sample from your report — unlock all 10 sections from $1.20
Mechanic Inspection Checklist
2 owners reported suspension issues — failures commonly reported around 329K miles.
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Suspension (2 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2012 Volvo Vnl: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Suspension Issues
Suspension complaints account for 29% of all reports filed for the 2012 Volvo Vnl, with 2 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 329,090 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 329K-mile mark.
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 14% of all reports filed for the 2012 Volvo Vnl, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to airbags-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 14% of all reports filed for the 2012 Volvo Vnl, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to brakes-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 14% of all reports filed for the 2012 Volvo Vnl, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2012 Volvo Vnl. Recent trend: stable.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (14 recalls)
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SLACK ADJUSTERS
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.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
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.
TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY
VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 VNL AND VNM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 1, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2011. DURING THE COUPLING PROCESS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE DRIVER TO PARTIALLY CLOSE THE FIFTH WHEEL LOCK AND IF SOLELY RELYING ON A TUG TEST (PULL TEST), THE DRIVER MAY THINK THAT THE FIFTH WHEEL LOCK IS PROPERLY COUPLED TO THE TRAILER KING PIN WHEN IN FACT IT IS NOT PROPERLY COUPLED.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:CHECK VALVE
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
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.
+ 9 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 7 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 14 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Volvo Vnl Model Years
2012 Volvo Vnl: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Volvo Vnl?
Is the 2012 Volvo Vnl reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2012 Volvo Vnl problems?
Does the 2012 Volvo Vnl have any recalls?
What mileage do Volvo Vnl problems start?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
How is this different from Carfax?
What if the report isn’t useful?
Get the Full 2012 Volvo Vnl Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 7 owner reports. Know before you buy.