Volvo Chassis - Drag Link Inspection And Replacement Criteria
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Volvo VNL steering problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 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 3 most recent
Was driving north on interstate 95 at 55 MPH, went to turn wheel on curve, and had complete loss of steering. Wheel turned, but wheels stayed straight. Was surrounded by at least 10 other vehicles who were able to move out of the way. I then ran off side of road into ditch with trailer attached carrying 40,000 pounds was stuck in the highway.
Vehicle was inspected at a local shop where they advised that the drag link was on recall and it had to be replaced due to a safety issue. Drag link was in a very bad shape and I was advised that I was not to conduct driving in that condition. Repairs have been processed, now I need to be paid for the recall part. Please contact me directly for more information. VIN: [xxx] yr: 2006 model: vnl…
Russo trucking, corp. Owns two Volvo trucks with major steering and front axle problems, which Volvo trucks of north america and the dealer nextran truck center at pompano beach, fl seems that can't fix, we have taken our trucks to try to fix the problem to several places, and nobody has been able to fix it, we are afraid that our Volvo trucks can cause an accident. I will mention some of the…
Had steering trouble with your 2006 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 2006 Volvo VNL?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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/2006/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.