2022 Volvo Vnl Transmission Recall (21V781)
Volvo Trucks North America · 162 vehicles · Reported October 6, 2021
Volvo Trucks North America is recalling 162 2022 Volvo Vnl vehicles. The electronic control unit software may allow the transmission to shift into neutral unexpectedly. An unexpected shift to neutral can increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V781 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V781000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | RVXX2104 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | October 6, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Volvo Trucks North America |
| Vehicles | 2022 Volvo Vnl |
| Units affected | 162 |
| Component | Power Train > Automatic Transmission |
| Safety risk | An unexpected shift to neutral can increase the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2022 Volvo Vnl in recall 21V781?
The electronic control unit software may allow the transmission to shift into neutral unexpectedly.
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2022 VNL vehicles. The electronic control unit software may allow the transmission to shift into neutral unexpectedly.
Is it safe to drive a 2022 Vnl with recall 21V781?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An unexpected shift to neutral can increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An unexpected shift to neutral can increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the automatic transmission.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V781?
Recall 21V781 covers 162 vehicles: 2022 Volvo Vnl.
NHTSA lists 162 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Volvo | Vnl |
What is the fix for the Vnl transmission recall?
Yes. Dealers will reprogram the electronic control module, free of charge.
Dealers will reprogram the electronic control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 01, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks' number for this recall is RVXX2104.
When was recall 21V781 announced?
Volvo Trucks North America reported recall 21V781 to NHTSA on October 6, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| October 6, 2021 | Volvo Trucks North America filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V781000. |
| November 1, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 60 months ago. If your Vnl was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Vnl is part of recall 21V781?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V781 is open on your Vnl, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V781000 is open on your Vnl, it will be listed there, along with Volvo recall number RVXX2104. You can also ask any Volvo dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Vnl owners do about recall 21V781?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V781000 applies to your Vnl.
- Call a Volvo dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any automatic transmission symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Vnl owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the transmission.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the transmission have been filed since recall 21V781 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 2 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 0 of them involve the transmission. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2022 Volvo Vnl: 2 complaints in total, 0 about the transmission
Can recall 21V781 make my Vnl a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Owners often ask whether this automatic transmission recall means their Vnl qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
A transmission defect affects the core job of the 2022 Volvo Vnl: moving reliably. Owners often see the same symptom return after a repair, and those repeat visits are the kind of history California's lemon law looks at.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2022 Volvo Vnl has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Vnl been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Volvo Vnl recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V781
Is the 21V781000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Vnl is part of recall 21V781000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Will a transmission software update fix the problem for good?
Sometimes. Many owners report that shifting problems return after an update. If yours does, go back to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V781000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Volvo. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.