Recall 11V294 affects 341 2012 Volvo Vnl, Vhd, and Vnm trucks for defective driveline welds. Repair is free at any franchised Volvo dealer.
Volvo is recalling 341 2012 Vnl, Vhd, and Vnm trucks because Meritor driveline tubing was built with insufficient bonding at the tube weld. A fracture under torque can disable the truck or drop driveline debris onto the road, increasing crash risk; the Volvo dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The Meritor driveline in the 2012 Volvo Vnl, Vhd, and Vnm trucks carries engine power through a rotating tube between major powertrain components. That tube has to stay straight, balanced, and bonded together while it spins under load. The driveline is part of the truck's power train, so its job is to move torque without shaking, cracking, or separating.
On affected trucks, the tubing used to build the driveline has a nonconforming weld along the tube. The material was not bonded together strongly enough at that weld. Under normal powertrain load, that weak joint can open or break because the tube is not built to the required strength.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver should not rely on a sound, vibration, or dashboard light to identify this defect before the driveline tube fails.
Who's affected?
Covers three Volvo truck models from the 2012 model year, all tied to the driveline.
| 2012 Volvo Vnl | driveline |
|---|---|
| 2012 Volvo Vhd | driveline |
| 2012 Volvo Vnm | driveline |
| Units affected | 341 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the driveline tube weld fractures under torque, the driveline can stop working, disable the vehicle, or drop driveline debris onto the road. Those conditions increase crash risk for you and nearby traffic, so schedule the recall work soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Volvo dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Volvo Vnl, Vhd, or Vnm is included in this recall.
- Watch for Volvo's owner notice, which was mailed on July 25, 2011.
- Contact your nearest franchised Volvo dealer to ask about the free driveline replacement that fixes the fracture-prone driveline tube weld.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 11V294 when you call.
- Avoid driving with driveline vibration, driveline noise, or power loss. Pull over safely and arrange service.
What happens at the repair
Volvo identifies driveline replacement as the repair for this recall. Once the dealer remedy is available for your VIN, a Volvo technician replaces the affected driveline assembly. The repair is free under the recall, with parts and labor covered. Ask the service desk to confirm the driveline part covered by campaign 11V294 before work begins, and keep the repair paperwork with your truck records after the work is complete.
Timeline
| May 20, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 25, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V294?
Recall 11V294 covers 341 2012 Volvo Vnl, Vhd, and Vnm trucks equipped with a Meritor driveline. The driveline tube seam weld can fracture under torque, leaving the driveline inoperable or dropping debris onto the roadway. Volvo dealers replace the driveline for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Volvo Vnl, Vhd, or Vnm is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 11V294. If it is, contact a franchised Volvo dealer to schedule the free driveline replacement. Reference recall number 11V294 when you call, and ask the service desk about the repair process for your truck.
Is the Volvo recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Volvo dealers replace the affected driveline free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included trucks, regardless of where the truck was purchased.
What is the safety risk in recall 11V294?
The safety risk is a fractured driveline tube seam weld. Once the weld breaks, the driveline can stop working, disable the truck, or drop driveline debris onto the roadway. Volvo's remedy is to replace the driveline at a franchised dealer for free.
What if I bought my Volvo truck used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2012 Volvo Vnl, Vhd, or Vnm is included, then contact a franchised Volvo dealer with recall number 11V294.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V294000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo customer service | 1-800-528-6586 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V294 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V294000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →