2020 Volvo Vn problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (1) · Suspension (1) · Structure (1)
Safety recalls (2)
Electrical System:software 2024-10-23 · campaign 24V790000 · 124,949 vehicles
Defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2020-2025 VN, VAH, VHD and VNRE trucks, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop working.
Risk: Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may have diminished or lost functionality, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Truck's number for this recall is RVXX2409.
Seats:critical Fasteners 2023-11-15 · campaign 23V769000 · 638 vehicles
Defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2019-2024 VN and VHD vehicles. The passenger side bench seat may be inadequately attached to the floor. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, "Seating Systems" and 210, "Seatbelt Assembly Anchorage."
Risk: The attachment points may fail, allowing the bench seat to shift and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the weld nut with two nuts and a washer, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 29, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks number for this recall is RVXX2312.
Service bulletins (265)
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
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-17 · CBR 2398 202609 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this cbr solution addresses the issue of binding between the outer air filter housing and inner hvac box due to misalignment during installation.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-03 · M0039 032026 · Emissions
emissions _ ec0039 mst21 failure to detect p20ee.
Suspension 2026-03-03 · CBR 2246-5 032026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
cbr - z spring bracket wear. volvo chassis
Visibility/Wiper 2026-02-09 · CBR 439 022026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
cbr - it has been found that the hood may not properly deflect water away from the "bird-beak" openings around the windshield opening.
Power Train 2026-01-09 · CBR 976-7 202601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
cbr - volvo chassis - i-shift transmission - moisture / contamination found in the transmission electronic control unit (tecu ) air ports and control housing.
Showing the 6 most recent of 265 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-22 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 264,811 mi“the contact owns a 2020 volvo vn. the contact stated that while driving 65 mph, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. the dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. the contact was informed that the repair was not eligible because the vehicle was not registered in california. the contact referenced technical service bulletin:…”
2026-03-10 · Service Brakes“i have just purchased this truck to replace an old truck lost due to a total loss . i picked up the truck in south dakota and drove back to pennsylvania. when setting the parking brakes parked on a small incline with the truck empty the parking brake hold on the front drive axle and it skids those tires when rolling away. however the rear rear driv…”
2024-12-12 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2020 volvo vn. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v790000 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic); however, the contact called the local dealer to schedule an appointment and was informed that there was no recall associated with the vin. the manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact tha…”
2022-03-02 · Suspension · 90,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 volvo vnl-860. the contact stated that her husband was driving at 65 mph and towing a 53-foot trailer, and the steering wheel would overcompensate while making adjustment, left or right to stay centered in lane. the failure lead to constant steering adjustments. the contact stated no warning light was illuminated. the contac…”
2021-05-12 · Visibility/Wiper“the owner programmed a 5 minute idle shut off and did not provide anything for me as the driver to stay warm at night i was driving during winter and traveling to states like wyoming where it reached 23 degrees. he has many things not up to dot regulations with his truck, lot of things are not working and damaged. he also didn't do any type of a pr…”
2020-09-22 · Structure · 145,980 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2020 volvo vnl truck. the contact stated that the sleeper bunk window detached on top however, the bottom brackets prevented the window from completely detaching while the vehicle was in motion. westfall gmc truck inc located at 3915 randolph rd, randolph, mo 64161 (816) 455-7262, was contacted and the contact was informed th…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.