2021-2024 Volvo Vnr Fluid and Coolant Recall (23V280)
Volvo Trucks North America · 125 vehicles · Reported April 19, 2023
Volvo Trucks North America is recalling 125 2021-2024 Volvo Vnr vehicles. The coolant line in the high voltage battery pack may not be fully seated and locked, which can result in the loss of coolant and an electrical short circuit. A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 23V280 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V280000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | RVXX 2304 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | April 19, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Volvo Trucks North America |
| Vehicles | 2021-2024 Volvo Vnr |
| Units affected | 125 |
| Component | Electrical System > Propulsion System > Traction Battery > Thermal Management > Fluid / Coolant |
| Safety risk | A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2024 Volvo Vnr in recall 23V280?
The coolant line in the high voltage battery pack may not be fully seated and locked, which can result in the loss of coolant and an electrical short circuit.
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2020-2024 VNR Electric vehicles. The coolant line in the high voltage battery pack may not be fully seated and locked, which can result in the loss of coolant and an electrical short circuit.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2024 Vnr with recall 23V280?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
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 fluid and coolant.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V280?
Recall 23V280 covers 125 vehicles: 2021-2024 Volvo Vnr.
NHTSA lists 125 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2024 | Volvo | Vnr |
What is the fix for the Vnr fluid and coolant recall?
Yes. Volvo Trucks will work with the battery manufacturer Akasol to inspect and replace the batteries, as necessary, free of charge.
Volvo Trucks will work with the battery manufacturer Akasol to inspect and replace the batteries, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 9, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Truck's number for this recall is RVXX 2304.
When was recall 23V280 announced?
Volvo Trucks North America reported recall 23V280 to NHTSA on April 19, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as May 9, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| April 19, 2023 | Volvo Trucks North America filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V280000. |
| May 9, 2023 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 42 months ago. If your Vnr was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Vnr is part of recall 23V280?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V280 is open on your Vnr, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021-2024 Vnr vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should Vnr owners do about recall 23V280?
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 23V280000 applies to your Vnr.
- 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 fluid and coolant 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 problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Vnr owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 0 of them about the ev and hybrid battery.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the ev and hybrid battery have been filed since recall 23V280 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 ev and hybrid battery. 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.
- 2021 Volvo Vnr: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the ev and hybrid battery
- 2023 Volvo Vnr: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the ev and hybrid battery
- 2022 Volvo Vnr: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the ev and hybrid battery
- 2024 Volvo Vnr: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the ev and hybrid battery
Can recall 23V280 make my Vnr 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 23V280000 does not automatically make your Vnr 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))?
Battery and electric drive repairs are among the slowest repairs in the industry. A 2021-2024 Volvo Vnr waiting on a battery module or drive unit can sit at the dealer for weeks, and every day counts toward the 30-day figure in California's lemon law presumption.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
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.
Recall repairs depend on parts. Owners can wait days, weeks or months, usually about one to three months in our cases, and those days count toward California's 30-day out-of-service rule.
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 Vnr been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Volvo Vnr recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V280
Is the 23V280000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed May 9, 2023.
How do I know if my Vnr is part of recall 23V280000?
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.
Can a battery recall reduce my EV's range?
Some battery recalls limit the state of charge or range until a module or pack is replaced. Check your owner letter for any interim limits, and keep notes if range or charging changes after the repair.
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.
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 23V280000 (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.