Recall 11V265 affects 2,765 2011-2012 Volvo Vnl, Vhd, and Vnm trucks for slack adjusters that crack. Franchised Volvo dealers replace them free.
Volvo is recalling 2,765 2011-2012 Vnl, Vhd, and Vnm trucks equipped with Gunite automatic slack adjusters because the slack adjuster housing can break under normal braking loads. A cracked adjuster can cause loss of braking and raise crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Volvo makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The slack adjuster is part of the air-brake system on 2011-2012 Volvo Vnl, Vhd, and Vnm trucks equipped with Gunite automatic slack adjusters. It keeps the brake linkage adjusted as the brake shoes wear, so the air-brake chamber can move the linkage through the right range and apply the brake as designed. On a heavy truck, that adjustment matters every time the brake pedal is used.
On these trucks, the slack adjuster housing was built with incomplete knitting of the iron during casting. In plain terms, the metal did not fully bond into a strong casting. That leaves the housing with inadequate structural integrity, and the housing can break at the handle under normal operating loads. Once that part breaks, the affected brake hardware is no longer held together the way it was designed to work.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver should not count on noise, pedal feel, or a dashboard light to identify this defect before the housing breaks.
Who's affected?
Covers the Vnl, Vhd, and Vnm truck lines across the 2011 and 2012 model years, all tied to the brake system.
| 2011 Volvo Vnl | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2012 Volvo Vnl | brake system |
| 2011 Volvo Vhd | brake system |
| 2012 Volvo Vhd | brake system |
| 2012 Volvo Vnm | brake system |
| Units affected | 2,765 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A cracked slack adjuster can cause loss of braking during normal braking and increase the risk of a crash. If braking feels abnormal, stop using the truck and call a Volvo dealer for guidance before moving it. Repair will be free at any franchised Volvo dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Volvo Vnl, Vhd, or Vnm truck is included in this recall.
- Contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586 to confirm the current repair path for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 11V265 when you call a franchised Volvo dealer or Volvo customer service.
- Schedule the free slack-adjuster replacement that fixes the cracking brake adjuster housing.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and avoid hard braking when safe to do so.
What happens at the repair
Volvo's remedy is replacement of the subject slack adjusters. Once the dealer repair is available, a Volvo technician will remove the recalled Gunite automatic slack adjusters and install replacement slack adjusters at no charge. The recall covers the replacement parts and labor. Ask the Volvo service desk to confirm parts availability for your VIN before arranging the visit, since the repair text does not give a service time.
Timeline
| May 3, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 12, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V265?
Recall 11V265 covers 2,765 2011-2012 Volvo Vnl, Vhd, and Vnm trucks equipped with Gunite automatic slack adjusters. The slack adjuster housing can crack under normal braking loads, causing loss of braking and increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Volvo Vnl, Vhd, or Vnm is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 11V265. If it is, contact a franchised Volvo dealer to schedule replacement of the affected slack adjusters. Reference recall number 11V265 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Volvo dealers will replace the affected slack adjusters free of charge. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to correct the safety defect at no cost, regardless of where the truck was purchased.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of braking. The recalled slack adjuster housing can crack under normal braking conditions, which can reduce brake function and increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer repair before putting the truck back into regular service.
What if I bought this Volvo truck used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your truck is included, then call a franchised Volvo dealer and reference recall number 11V265.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V265000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo customer service | 1-800-528-6586 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V265 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V265000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →