2021 Volvo Vnl Steering Pump Recall (21V858)
Volvo Trucks North America · 3 vehicles · Reported November 4, 2021
Volvo Trucks North America is recalling 3 2021 Volvo Vnl vehicles. A machining defect may cause pressure to build in the power steering pump, breaking the shaft seal and resulting in a loss of power steering assist. A loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V858 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V858000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | RVXX2105 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | November 4, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Volvo Trucks North America |
| Vehicles | 2021 Volvo Vnl |
| Units affected | 3 |
| Component | Steering > Hydraulic Power Assist > Pump |
| Safety risk | A loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Volvo Vnl in recall 21V858?
A machining defect may cause pressure to build in the power steering pump, breaking the shaft seal and resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2021 VNL vehicles. A machining defect may cause pressure to build in the power steering pump, breaking the shaft seal and resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Vnl with recall 21V858?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A loss of power steering assist increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A loss of power steering assist increases 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 pump.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V858?
Recall 21V858 covers 3 vehicles: 2021 Volvo Vnl.
NHTSA lists 3 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Volvo | Vnl |
What is the fix for the Vnl steering pump recall?
Yes. Dealers will replace the power steering pumps, free of charge.
Dealers will replace the power steering pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 10, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks number for this recall is RVXX2105.
When was recall 21V858 announced?
Volvo Trucks North America reported recall 21V858 to NHTSA on November 4, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| November 4, 2021 | Volvo Trucks North America filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V858000. |
| December 10, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 59 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 21V858?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V858 is open on your Vnl, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 21V858000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should Vnl owners do about recall 21V858?
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 21V858000 applies to your Vnl.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Volvo dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the pump happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Vnl owners reporting to NHTSA?
Too few NHTSA complaints about the steering have been filed since recall 21V858 was reported (0) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database does not list owner complaints for these vehicles yet. That is common for new models and for recalls a manufacturer finds through its own testing.
Can recall 21V858 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.
Recall 21V858000 does not automatically make your Vnl a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
A steering problem on the 2021 Volvo Vnl is the kind of safety defect that California law treats seriously. Fewer repair attempts may be needed for a claim than with a comfort or convenience defect.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Volvo Vnl has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Vnl went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to 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.
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 21V858
Is the 21V858000 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 21V858000?
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.
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 21V858000 (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.