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2005 Volvo VNL steering problems
severe
Owners of the 2005 Volvo VNL have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
1
Avg fix
$700
steering complaints on the Volvo VNL, by model year
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
0 (0%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
1 (100%)
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.
Volvo trucks is recalling certain model year 2001-2006 vnl and vnm trucks manufactured with a trw sealed drag links
Ball socket separation at the drag link results in complete loss of steering, and therefore can result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the ball socket or the drag link as required if necessary. As parts are limited, Volvo trucks mailed an interim owner letter on september 2, 2010. The safety recall began on february 14, 2011. Owners may contact Volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
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.
Service BulletinKC-2174Jun 2022
Volvo Chassis - Drag Link Inspection And Replacement Criteria
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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting
4 most recent
steering
· filed 12/19/2011
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…
steering
· filed 12/01/2014
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…
steering
· filed 11/10/2010
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…
steering · 350,000 mi
· filed 08/28/2009
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?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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.