2021-2023 Volvo Vnre (electric) Relays and Solenoids Recall (23V401)
Volvo Trucks North America · 243 vehicles · Reported June 4, 2023
Volvo Trucks North America is recalling 243 2021-2023 Volvo Vnre (electric) vehicles. The power cables that connect to the windscreen heater relay may have a loose connection and cause the relay to fail. A relay that fails in the closed position will continue to power the cabin heater, overheating the relay and increasing the risk of a fire. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 23V401 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V401000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | RVXX2306 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | June 4, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Volvo Trucks North America |
| Vehicles | 2021-2023 Volvo Vnre (electric) |
| Units affected | 243 |
| Component | Electrical System > Wiring > Relays / Solenoids |
| Safety risk | A relay that fails in the closed position will continue to power the cabin heater, overheating the relay and increasing the risk of a fire. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2023 Volvo Vnre (electric) in recall 23V401?
The power cables that connect to the windscreen heater relay may have a loose connection and cause the relay to fail.
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2019-2023 VNR Electric vehicles. The power cables that connect to the windscreen heater relay may have a loose connection and cause the relay to fail.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2023 Vnre (electric) with recall 23V401?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A relay that fails in the closed position will continue to power the cabin heater, overheating the relay and increasing the risk of a fire.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A relay that fails in the closed position will continue to power the cabin heater, overheating the relay and increasing the risk of a fire.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Vnre (electric) shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the relays and solenoids, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V401?
Recall 23V401 covers 243 vehicles: 2021-2023 Volvo Vnre (electric).
NHTSA lists 243 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2023 | Volvo | Vnre (electric) |
What is the fix for the Vnre (electric) relays and solenoids recall?
Yes. Dealers will tighten the power cable to relay connections, free of charge.
Dealers will tighten the power cable to relay connections, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 4, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks' number for this recall is RVXX2306.
When was recall 23V401 announced?
Volvo Trucks North America reported recall 23V401 to NHTSA on June 4, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as August 4, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| June 4, 2023 | Volvo Trucks North America filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V401000. |
| August 4, 2023 | Owner notification letters scheduled (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 40 months ago. If your Vnre (electric) was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Vnre (electric) is part of recall 23V401?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V401 is open on your Vnre (electric), 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 2021-2023 Vnre (electric) 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 Vnre (electric) owners do about recall 23V401?
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 23V401000 applies to your Vnre (electric).
- 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.
- Write down when symptoms involving the relays and solenoids 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 recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Vnre (electric) owners reporting to NHTSA?
Too few NHTSA complaints about the electrical system have been filed since recall 23V401 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 23V401 make my Vnre (electric) 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 relays and solenoids recall means their Vnre (electric) 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)).
Electrical faults are hard to diagnose, so dealers often try several fixes before one works, if one works at all. That pattern of repeat visits for the same relays and solenoids problem is common in lemon law claims.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021-2023 Volvo Vnre (electric) 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.
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 Vnre (electric) been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Volvo Vnre (electric) recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V401
Is the 23V401000 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 August 4, 2023.
How do I know if my Vnre (electric) is part of recall 23V401000?
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 23V401000 (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.