2011 Volvo Vnl
The Verdict
The 2011 Volvo Vnl has 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (2 complaints) and electrical (1 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 99/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Volvo Vnl, consider the 2001 model year which has 75% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2001 has 75% fewer complaints
View the 2001 Volvo Vnl 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 3
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 VNL TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 23, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 22, 2010. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO START WITHOUT WARNING BECAUSE OF A...
Risk
THIS PRESENTS A RISK OF INJURY WITH NONOPERATIONAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING SERVICED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE A WIRING HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 13, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
Reported Apr 11, 2026
Volvo Trucks of North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 VNL and 2014-2015 VNM trucks manufactured November 17, 2010, through February 5, 2014, and equipped with enhanced cru...
Risk
If the active braking feature becomes disabled, the vehicle may not automatically activate the brakes as intended when the enhanced cruise control system is in use, thereby increasing the risk of a...
Remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Vol...
Reported Apr 11, 2026
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 VAH and VNL trucks manufactured May 12, 2010, to October 31, 2014. The affected vehicles may experience premature tire ...
Risk
Premature tire failure could increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tires and set the road speed limiter, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-8...
Reported Apr 11, 2026
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUCK CABIN JERKED OUT OF CONTROL WHEN A BUMP WAS HIT OR WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH TERRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE REAR SHOCKS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED ALL THE SHOCKS, BUT THE FAILURE WAS STILL NOT REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 621,232.
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED RUNNING INTERMITTENT WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR ACCELLERATING, THEN ABRUPTLY SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN WHILE DRIVING. LUCKELY THE SPEED WAS LOW AND WE WERE ABLE TO STOP, BUT ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. UPON INSPECTION ON THE ROAD, SPARKS CAME OFF FROM UNDER THE CAB WITH ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL. SHUT DOWN BATTERY SYSTEM. FOUND POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE BEHIND THE ENGINE RUBBED AGAINST CHASSIS SUPPORT BRACKET AND WELDED ITSELF TO THE BRACKET. 40A FUSE IN ENGINE FUSE COMPARTMENT BURNED THROUGH.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND ENGINE FAULT WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE NOX SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 247,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 247,430.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO VNL TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ABNORMALLY WHENEVER THE WHEEL WAS TURNED WHILE THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SIX TIMES WHERE THERE WERE VARIOUS REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THE FAILURE WAS A COMMON FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING PUMP SEEMED TO BE SMALLER THAN WHAT VOLVO USED PREVIOUSLY IN THEIR TRUCKS AND IT WAS LOOSING PRESSURE AND OVERHEATING. UPDATED 08/10/11