2001 Volvo VN

Defect. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH VALEO WIPER SYSTEMS, THE WIPER MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIVE TO SALT INTRUSION THAT COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A CONDITION WHERE THE CONNECTOR OVERHEATS TO A POINT WHERE THE CONNECTOR COULD IGNITE.

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, EXCESSIVE HEAT AND SMOKE COULD RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR PLATE ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. PHASE 2 OF THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Defect. ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE FORWARD AND/OR REAR DRIVE AXLE UPPER AXLE SEAT CAN BREAK ALLOWING THE AXLE TO SHIFT OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF AXLE STABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE UPPER AXLE SEAT FOR A CERTAIN DATE CODE THAT IS STAMPED ON THE PART, AND THOSE AXLES WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

HOOD STRUTS ON VOLVO SEMI TRACTORS ARE OF INFERIOR DESIGN. THE STRUTS CONTROL HOOD OPENING AND ACT AS A STOP TO KEEP THE HOOD FROM FALLING ALL THE WAY FORWARD. THE ENDS OF THE STRUTS BREAK OFF. THIS PARTICULAR TRUCK HAD ONE BROKEN STRUT. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD THE OTHER STRUT BROKE. THE HOOD OPENED ALL THE WAY FORWARD CRASHING ON TOP OF ME TRAPPING ME UNDER THE HOOD. THIS CAUSED INJURIES TO MY NECK AND BACK. OUR FLEET MECHANICS REPLACED BOTH STRUTS AND ARE IMPLEMENTING AN INSPECTION PROGRAM TO INSPECT STRUTS ON OTHER TRUCKS. THERE ARE STEADY FAILURES OF THE STRUTS ON OUR FLEET TRUCKS. THERE IS AN UPDATED DESIGN. THERE SHOULD BE A SAFETY CABLE OR A HOOD OPENING RESTRICTED DESIGNED INTO THE HINGE. *JB