2003 Volvo Vhd problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (1) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (1) · Engine And Engine Cooling (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Seat Belts 2012-10-18 · campaign 12V510000 · 1,496 vehicles
Defect: 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."
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.
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 bulletins (118)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-09-21 · TSB 373-001 202609 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
overheating has been observed at the alternator power cable and ground cable connection, resulting in melted insulation around the terminal area. the alternator power cable connection should maintain a stable electrical contact without overheating or insulation damage during normal vehicle operat
Suspension 2026-03-03 · CBR 2246-5 032026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
cbr - z spring bracket wear. volvo chassis
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-28 · CBR 2488 072025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
cbr - a significant gps reporting issue is affecting fleet operations, with trucks maintaining back-office communication but failing to transmit gps location data.
Engine 2024-05-02 · CBR-2139 202405 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
cbr - 11 liter engines - fuel in oil.
Electrical System 2023-08-29 · CBR-2120 202308 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
cbr: volvo vhd & vn models - vehicle wil not start, pto active message displayed in cluster, pto light on when pto switch is turned off
Suspension 2023-08-14 · V728-005A 202308 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tsb: barksdale leveling valve, leak test
Showing the 6 most recent of 118 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2010-11-23 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 15,000 mi“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…”
2009-11-12 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine · 213,763 mi“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 i…”
2007-04-02 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip“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 pic…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.