2022-2023 Volvo Vnl Service Brakes, Air Fastener Recall (22V896)

Recall 22V896 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2022-2023 Volvo Vnl in recall 22V896?

The air tank bracket fasteners were excessively tightened and may have broken.

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2022-2023 VNL vehicles. The air tank bracket fasteners were excessively tightened and may have broken.

Is it safe to drive a 2022-2023 Vnl with recall 22V896?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Broken fasteners may allow the air tank to detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Broken fasteners may allow the air tank to detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Vnl shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the critical fasteners, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 22V896?

Recall 22V896 covers 412 vehicles: 2022-2023 Volvo Vnl.

NHTSA lists 412 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Vnl service brakes, air fastener recall?

Yes. Dealers will replace the fasteners, free of charge.

Dealers will replace the fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks' number for this recall is RVXX2205.

When was recall 22V896 announced?

Volvo Trucks North America reported recall 22V896 to NHTSA on December 6, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as December 16, 2022.

This recall was filed 46 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 22V896?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V896 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 22V896000. 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 22V896?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 22V896000 applies to your Vnl.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized Volvo dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Keep a simple log of any critical fasteners symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. 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 3 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 1 of them about the brakes.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the brakes have been filed since recall 22V896 was reported (1) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 3 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 1 of them involve the brakes. 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, 1 about the brakes
• 2023 Volvo Vnl: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the brakes

Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):

The contact owns a 2022 Volvo VNL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and was unable to accelerate above 10 MPH, after which the low coolant warning light illuminated on the instrument panel.

2022 Volvo Vnl owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11568530, filed January 29, 2024

Can recall 22V896 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 22V896000 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))?

Brake defects are safety defects. California's lemon law presumption can apply after two repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, when the manufacturer has been notified directly.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2022-2023 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.

Frequently asked questions about recall 22V896