2003 Volvo Vhd
The Verdict
The 2003 Volvo Vhd has 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (2 complaints) and brakes (1 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 100/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Volvo Vhd, consider the 2001 model year which has 66% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2001 has 66% fewer complaints
View the 2001 Volvo Vhd dashboard →
Klunk Score: Smooth Ride
This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 4
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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.
Risk
THE BOLT COULD LOOSEN ALLOWING THE DRAG LINK AND PITMAN ARM TO SEPARATE, RESULTING IN UNCONTROLLABLE STEERING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
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 A...
Reported Apr 11, 2026
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.
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.
Remedy
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 T...
Reported Apr 11, 2026
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.
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.
Remedy
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.
Reported Apr 11, 2026
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 STAN...
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.
Remedy
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.
Reported Dec 8, 2004
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
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 VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A VOLVO DEALER. IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY VOLVO AS AN ENGINE COMPUTER FAILURE. VOLVO HAS NOT EXPLAINED WHICH PART OF THIS (EECU) ENGINE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FAILED, WHICH I REQUESTED TO KNOW. THE EECU WAS REPLACED WITH A VOLVO REBUILT UNIT. THIS IS A PRODUCT SAFETY AND RELIABILITY ISSUE. THIS TRUCK HAS FIFTEEN THOUSAND, (15,000), ORIGINAL MILES. *TR
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 CONNECTOR, AND SENT THE TRUCK ON ITS WAY. 2 MONTHS AFTER SECOND REPAIR, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THEY FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM, CORRECTED IT AND SENT THE TRUCK ON ITS WAY AGAIN. ONE MONTH AFTER THIRD REPAIR, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, AGAIN TOOK THE TRUCK TO DARIO DIESEL, THEY FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM AND SENT THE TRUCK ON ITS WAY. NOW THEY TELL US THE WHOLE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE CONNECTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE HAVE ALREADY SPENT $1397.00 HAVING THIS PROBLEM SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED. WE HAVE ALSO SENT A LETTER TO VOLVO TRUCKS TELLING THEM OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
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 WAS DONE. I SPOKE TO RICK PICKARD SWIFT FLEET MANAGE IN OCALA OFFICER AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I SPOKE TO ROB WHO IS THE HEAD SHOP MANAGER OF THE OCALA OFFICE. I REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE SENT TO VOLCO TECHNICIANS AND NOTHING WAS DONE. THEY PLACE THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN THREE CONSECUTIVE WEEKS FOR THE SAME INITIAL PROBLEM AND NOTHING WAS DONE. FURTHERMORE IT STATES IN THE VEHICLE MANUAL OF VOLVO, IF TOTAL SHUTDOWN OF VEHICLE OCCURS AT ANY TIME PLEASE NOTIFY VOLVO DIRECTLY AS WELL AS DOT TO REPORT VEHICLE PROBLEMS TO PREVENT ANY OUTCOME OF AN ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH. PAGE 134 OF VEHICLE MANUAL. *JB