2012 VOLVO VAH Complaints and Recall Information
The 2012 VOLVO VAH has 0 complaints and 6 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to vehicle systems covered under recalls, including visibility, power train, exhaust, tires, steering, and trailer hitch components.
There are six recalls involving different systems of the truck. These recalls address defects that affect the windshield wiper motor, clutch assembly, exhaust diffuser, tires, steering drag link, and fifth wheel assembly. The defects pose risks such as reduced visibility, increased stopping distance, potential fire, tire failure, loss of steering, and trailer detachment. Each recall includes a free repair or replacement provided by Volvo or Fontaine dealers.
Recalls- Visibility/Wiper. Recall 13V349000 affects 17,824 trucks due to potential windshield wiper motor failure. Inoperable wipers can reduce driver visibility, increasing crash risk. Dealers will replace the motor at no cost starting December 6, 2013.
- Clutch Assembly. Recall 13V268000 covers 23,056 trucks missing a redundant clutch disengagement switch. Without it, brake air pressure switch failure may prevent clutch disengagement when braking, lengthening stopping distance. Inspections and repairs began August 26, 2013.
- Exhaust System. Recall 13V497000 involves 206 Volvo VAH vehicles modified with upward-facing exhaust diffusers causing heat transfer to the truck cab roof or vehicles above. Excessive heat could cause fire. Fontaine replaced the diffuser with a redesigned one at no charge.
- Tires. Recall 14V740000 includes 115 trucks with tires prone to premature failure under high speeds, heavy load, and high road temperatures. Tire failure raises crash risk. Dealers replace tires and set a speed limiter free of charge from January 16, 2015.
- Steering Drag Link. Recall 15V523000 affects 1,319 trucks with possible draglink ball socket boot damage due to ball stud angle. Damaged boots allow corrosion, accelerating joint wear and possible separation, causing steering loss. Replacement drag links with improved geometry started October 13, 2015.
- Fifth Wheel Assembly. Recall 15V643000 covers 669 trucks with Fontaine Ultra LT fifth wheel connectors. Cumulative damage may cause locking mechanism failure and trailer detachment, increasing crash risk. Fontaine dealers replaced the fifth wheel with an Ultra NT model starting November 23, 2015.
Owners who face repeated repairs or unresolved issues related to these recalls may have rights under state lemon laws. Consulting with a consumer protection attorney could help explore possible remedies for ongoing safety defects or mechanical failures.
2012 VOLVO VAH Summary
2012
Model Year
0
Total Complaints
6
Total Recalls
43189
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2012 VOLVO VAH
1319 vehicles affected
STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 VAH trucks manufactured January 31, 2011, to June 25, 2015, and equipped with a sealed drag link. In the affected trucks, the draglink ball socket boot may be damaged due to the angle of the ball stud. A damaged boot may allow contaminants to enter and corrode the ball socket.
Risk: Corrosion will accelerate wear of the ball, possibly resulting in the ball joint separating from the socket, causing loss of steering and an increased risk of a crash.
2012 VOLVO VAH
669 vehicles affected
TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured June 21, 2010, to December 14, 2012. The affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, which, due to cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking mechanism, have a locking mechanism that may fail to operate or to properly engage.
Risk: If the fifth wheel and locking mechanism are sufficiently damaged, the locking mechanism may fail to operate as intended and the trailer may unexpectedly detach from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash.
2012 VOLVO VAH
115 vehicles affected
TIRES
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 failure during certain operating conditions such as high speeds, heavy load, and high road temperature.
Risk: Premature tire failure could increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
2012 VOLVO VAH
206 vehicles affected
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Fontaine Modification (Fontaine) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Volvo VAH vehicles modified with upward facing exhaust diffusers for use as auto-haulers. In the affected vehicles, heat from the exhaust may transfer to the roof of the truck cab and/or the vehicles above the cab.
Risk: Excessive heat could result in a fire.
2012 VOLVO VAH
23056 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 VAH, VHD, VNL, VNM, and VT models. The affected vehicles were built without a redundant clutch disengagement switch. Without a redundant switch, a loss of signal from the brake air pressure switch can prevent the clutch from automatically disengaging when the brake is applied.
Risk: Without a signal to disengage the clutch when the brakes are applied, the distance required to stop the truck may lengthen, increasing the risk of a crash.
2012 VOLVO VAH
17824 vehicles affected
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 VAH, VHD, VNL, and VNM trucks manufactured February 1, 2010, through September 30, 2010 and June 1, 2011, through November 30, 2011. The windshield wiper motor may fail.
Risk: Inoperable wipers may result in poor driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints
No complaints found.