The 2016 Volvo VNL has 12 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 6 complaints, typically surfacing around 57,500 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
6
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 VNL?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
6 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2016 Volvo VNL? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 57,500 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 57,500 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 6 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Volvo vnl semi-truck. While driving various low and high speeds, the vehicle vibrated. A series of independent mechanics confirmed that the driveshaft was loose within the transmission. Vomac sales and service mack (5556 east margaret drive, terre…
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Volvo vnl630. The contact stated that the vehicle arrived from the manufacturer with a rear driveshaft that was not calibrated. The driveshaft was three times over the maximum specifications where the transmission and driveshaft were attached. The…
Had a problem with your 2016 Volvo VNL?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Volvo VNL trucks equipped with Cummins ISX15 diesel engines
If the fuel line bursts, fuel may leak onto the road resulting in a roadway hazard for other motorists. The engine may also stall without warning, resulting in the vehicle's inability to restart, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Cummins will notify owners, and dealers will replace the single screen filter banjo bolt will be replaced with a dual screen filter banjo bolt, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1802.
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2016 Volvo VNL and VNM trucks equipped with certain Dana Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles
If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nut and tie rod, tightening it as necessary. If the tie rod stud and knuckle on units cannot be sufficiently torqued, the dealer will replace the knuckle and tie rod end assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1702.
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 VNL and VNM trucks and certain model year 2017 VNX trucks
If the brake system becomes contaminated, braking performance could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module and replace the air dryer filter, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1608.
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Volvo VNL is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Volvo VNL?
The 2016 Volvo VNL is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average; 6 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 Volvo VNL?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 6 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 57,500 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 Volvo VNL a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 12 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 57,500 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Volvo VNL?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 6 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 57,500 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 57,500 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Volvo VNL has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Volvo VNL?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 12 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 5 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Volvo/VNL.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
We are not affiliated with Volvo. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we
may earn a commission if you purchase through them.
