Two Volvo VNL Recalls: Brake Delay, Instrument Display May Fail

Volvo VNL Recall: Two Separate Safety Issues Identified

Volvo Trucks North America has issued two separate recalls affecting certain 2025–2026 Volvo VNL (4) commercial vehicles. Both recalls were announced on March 25, 2026, and address different safety concerns tied to federal compliance standards.

The recalls involve issues with the instrument panel display and the service brake system. While both affect the same model, the causes, risks, and repairs differ.

Instrument Panel Recall Linked to Display Failure

The first recall, filed under NHTSA campaign number 26V184000, affects 115 trucks equipped with potentially defective instrument clusters.

According to recall documents, the instrument panel may go blank while the vehicle is in operation. This issue is tied to a soldering process error during manufacturing, which can cause intermittent or complete loss of the display.

Safety Risk and Compliance Issue

Even though the truck can still operate, the loss of key information—such as vehicle speed or warning indicators—means the vehicle no longer meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 101 for controls and displays.

This lack of visibility into critical driving data increases the risk of a crash.

The issue has been linked to 18 warranty claims and 8 field reports, but no crashes or injuries have been reported.

Affected Volvo VNL Vehicles and Timeline

The recall applies to certain 2025–2026 Volvo VNL (4) trucks built between July 18, 2024, and January 27, 2025.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by May 24, 2026, and VINs became searchable on NHTSA’s website starting April 1, 2026.

Remedy for Instrument Panel Issue

Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster at no cost to the owner. The updated components are built using a corrected soldering process to prevent future failures.

Brake System Recall Involves Delayed Release Timing

The second recall, listed under NHTSA campaign number 26V186000, affects 222 trucks and focuses on the service brake system.

This issue involves a delay in brake release timing, which may not be noticeable to the driver but still falls outside federal safety standards.

What the Testing Found

Testing showed that the brake release time exceeded the required maximum of 0.55 seconds, reaching 0.61 seconds in some cases.

Because of this, the vehicles do not meet FMVSS 121 requirements for air brake systems.

Cause of the Brake Issue

The problem has been traced to a specific configuration of rear suspension, axle setup, brake chamber size, and traction control. This combination limits airflow in the pneumatic system, slowing the release of the brakes.

No warning indicators are provided to the driver, meaning the condition may go unnoticed during normal operation.

Safety Risk and Field Data

A delayed brake release can increase the risk of a crash, particularly in situations where quick braking adjustments are needed.

Volvo reported no field reports, warranty claims, crashes, or injuries tied to this issue at the time of the recall decision.

Affected Volvo VNL Vehicles and Production Dates

The recall includes certain 2025–2026 Volvo VNL (4) trucks built between May 28, 2024, and December 11, 2025.

The affected configuration has since been removed from production.

Remedy for Brake System Issue

To fix the issue, dealers will install an additional brake valve and fittings in the service brake pneumatic system. This update is designed to improve airflow and allow the brakes to release more quickly.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed between May 22 and May 24, 2026.

What This Means for Truck Drivers and Fleets

Both recalls highlight different types of safety risks that could affect daily operations.

The instrument panel issue may limit a driver’s ability to monitor speed and warning systems, which are critical for safe driving and compliance. Even though the truck remains operational, missing this information can create dangerous situations.

The brake system issue, while less noticeable, affects performance in ways that could impact stopping and maneuvering. Since drivers may not detect the delay, the risk comes from unexpected braking behavior.

Fleet operators should review affected VINs and schedule repairs promptly once notified. Both repairs will be completed at no cost through authorized dealers.

Volvo VNL Recall Contact and Next Steps

Owners can contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 800-528-6586 for more information.

The recall reference numbers are:

• RVXX2603 for the instrument panel issue
• RVXX2602 for the brake system issue

Drivers and fleets can also check VIN eligibility through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

Both recalls are expected to move forward with dealer notifications already underway and owner notifications scheduled for May 2026.