2018 Volvo VNL problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Volvo VNL, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
5
Recalls
5
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
555,925 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 2 of 5 complaints (40%).
  • Engine (1) and electrical system (1) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 555,925 mi.
  • The 2018 Volvo VNL has 5 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 2nd of 6 Volvo VNL model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

2018 Volvo VNL problems by category

  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    2 complaints
  • Engine
    1 complaints
  • Electrical System
    1 complaints
  • Steering
    1 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    1 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Power train2
Electrical system1
Engine1
Fuel system, gasoline1
Steering1
Vehicle speed control:throttle1

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k60k–100k100k–150k4150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2018 Volvo VNL complaints that list mileage.

2018 Volvo VNL recalls (5)

  • Recall 20V384000Jul 1, 202089 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2021 VNL and VNR buses. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for the rear drive axles stated on the Federal Certification Label exceeds the rating of the wheel hubs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

    Risk: If the rear axles are overloaded, over time the wheel hubs may fail prematurely, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and send corrected replacement labels, free of charge. The recall began August 18, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX2002.

  • Recall 19V509000Jul 2, 2019235 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

    Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2018-2020 VAH, VHD, VNL, and VNR vehicles. The fuse in the transmission circuit may blow, preventing the transmission from shifting.

    Risk: If the fuse blows the transmission may not shift, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Volvo Trucks will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuse, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Truck's number for this recall is RVXX1903.

  • Recall 19V208000Mar 18, 201911,089 vehicles
    STRUCTURE:BODY

    Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2018-2020 VNL and VNX vehicles configured as 740 and 760 sleeper models. The sleeper bunk window may detach and fall from the vehicle.

    Risk: If a window detaches from the vehicle, it may strike another vehicle or pedestrian, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy: Volvo Trucks has notified owners, and dealers will replace the window hinge, free of charge. Owners were notified of the recall on April 8, 2019 and will be sent a second notice when the remedy parts are available. The recall began August 21, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks' number for this recall is RVXX1902.

  • Recall 19V032000Jan 14, 20191,450 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

    Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volvo VNL vehicles equipped with an automated manual transmission. An internal component in the clutch assembly may fail, possibly resulting in unintended vehicle movement.

    Risk: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Volvo has notified owners and dealers will update the Transmission Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began February 1, 2019. Owners can contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1901.

  • Recall 18V668000Sep 25, 20183,705 vehicles
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

    Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Volvo VNL trucks equipped with Cummins ISX15 diesel engines. In certain driving conditions, such as on a long down-hill grade, the fuel line may burst if the fuel pump cooling circuit screen becomes restricted.

    Risk: If the fuel line bursts, fuel may leak onto the road resulting in a roadway hazard for other motorists. The engine may also stall without warning, resulting in the vehicle's inability to restart, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Cummins will notify owners, and dealers will replace the single screen filter banjo bolt will be replaced with a dual screen filter banjo bolt, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1802.

Recent 2018 Volvo VNL complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Feb 21, 2023537,850 miCATowedFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a Volvo 2018 VNL64 Commercial vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle would shut down while driving at various speeds. There was no further information provided. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the high pressure fuel pump filter, the differential pressure sensor, the rear wire harness were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing transmission failures and would fail to respond intermittently while…
    NHTSA complaint #11508399 · source
  2. Filed Feb 21, 2023600,000 miCATransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2018 Volvo VNL Truck. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was lunging forward and failed to properly respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no additional information provided. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the power train warning light illuminated a week later. The vehicle was…
    NHTSA complaint #11508392 · source
  3. Filed Jan 3, 2023574,000 miVAAcceleration & Cruise Control
    The contact owns a 2018 Volvo VNL. The contact stated that while approaching a stop, the clutch failed to disengage. The contact also stated that after decelerating, he depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle rolled back. The contact stated that the check warning light illuminated, indicating to check the transmission at the next stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and produced code: DTC-P107538 (Throttle Actuator Control Module) however,…
    NHTSA complaint #11499899 · source
  4. Filed Jul 12, 2020300,000 miTXSteering
    2019 complained to the dealer about uneven wearing of the front tires they checked alignment then same complaint in march 2020 no defects find then in july 02 2020 i was unable to drive because of vibration , after inspection they found plastic bushings for both kingpins worn out and replaced as whole sets. My complaint is about premature failure components at 300000 miles due to use of plastic bushings by manufacturer. Truck was used on highways not as a vocational truck
    NHTSA complaint #11338922 · source

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Other 2018 Volvo models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology