Volvo Chassis - Drag Link Inspection And Replacement Criteria
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Volvo VNL steering problems
severe 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 4 steering complaints filed for the 2005 Volvo VNL, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Volvo Chassis - Equipped With An Automated Manual Transmission (AMT, I-Shift ) - Error Code 126 Displayed In Premium Tech Tool (PTT ) While Performing The Calibration Procedure After The Shift Control Housing Has Been Removed And Installed, Rewritten to improve return from multiple search terms.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Volvo vnl. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the front end of the vehicle became extremely light and the steering became difficult to maneuver. The contact crashed into a concrete wall but was not injured. The vehicle was towed to a local auto body shop where the technician advised that the drag link, lug nuts and the bolts on the front passenger and driver side…
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Volvo vnl. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn without warning. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into a ditch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the shaft stripped inside the internal steering column. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. A police report was filed. The contact…
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Volvo vnl. While driving approximately 40 MPH he attempted to turn the steering wheel to the left but the vehicle veered to the right. The vehicle was driven onto the emergency lane and shut off. In order to continue driving the vehicle he tightened some of the steering mechanisms himself. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to have the failure diagnosed and it was…
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Volvo vnl. The contact stated that in warmer weather conditions the engine would stall without any prior warnings. As a consequence his risk for vehicle crash is increased. It would take approximately thirty minutes to restart. The vehicle was taken to a dealer in which the technician did not identify the cause of the failure. 10/26/09. *lj the power steering was…
Had steering trouble with your 2005 Volvo VNL?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2005 Volvo VNL?
It's a meaningful issue. 4 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 350,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Volvo/VNL.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.