Recall 12V450 affects 203 2009-2013 Volvo Bus 9700 coaches for a hydraulic-pipe fire risk. Repair is free at any franchised Volvo Bus dealer.
Volvo Bus is recalling 203 2009-2013 Volvo Bus 9700 coaches because the hydraulic fan drive pipe can crack and spray oil onto hot engine components. Hydraulic oil on hot engine parts raises the risk of a vehicle fire, and the Volvo Bus dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The hydraulic fluid pipe on 2009-2013 Volvo Bus 9700 coaches feeds the fan drive, the system that turns the engine cooling fan. That fan helps move air through the cooling system so the engine can manage heat while the coach is running. The pipe is supposed to keep hydraulic fluid sealed inside as pressure moves through the fan drive circuit.
On affected coaches, that pipe can crack. Once the pipe opens, hydraulic oil can escape under pressure instead of staying inside the fan drive system. The recall concern is that the oil spray reaches hot engine components, putting fluid where heat is already present and where it does not belong.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or driver notices the problem only after the pipe has cracked, such as visible oil, an oil smell, or oil around the engine area.
Who's affected?
Spans five model years of the 9700, all tied to the cooling-system fan.
| 2010 Volvo Bus 9700 | Fan |
|---|---|
| 2009 Volvo Bus 9700 | Fan |
| 2013 Volvo Bus 9700 | Fan |
| 2012 Volvo Bus 9700 | Fan |
| 2011 Volvo Bus 9700 | Fan |
| Units affected | 203 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Hydraulic oil sprayed onto hot engine components creates a vehicle fire risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair promptly and ask the dealer for handling instructions before continued operation. Repair will be free at any franchised Volvo Bus dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2013 Volvo Bus 9700 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volvo Bus dealer and ask about the free rubber-skirt installation that shields the hydraulic fan-drive pipe from spraying oil onto hot engine parts.
- Reference recall number 12V450 when you call, and bring the owner notice if you still have it.
- Avoid operating the coach if you see hydraulic fluid near the engine area or smell burning oil.
- Call Volvo Bus customer service at 1-418-883-2888 with recall questions before moving the coach for service.
What happens at the repair
The repair plan is straightforward: at the dealer, a Volvo Bus technician adds a rubber skirt to the hydraulic pipe that carries fluid to the fan drive. That skirt helps shield the pipe area from oil spray if the pipe cracks near hot engine parts. Parts and labor are covered by the recall. Since the current remedy status is not listed as available, treat scheduling as VIN-specific. Once the repair is available for your coach, the dealer repair is free.
Timeline
| September 13, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 22, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V450?
Recall 12V450 covers 203 2009-2013 Volvo Bus 9700 coaches with a hydraulic fan-drive pipe that can crack and spray oil onto hot engine parts. That oil spray can result in a vehicle fire. Volvo Bus dealers add a rubber skirt to the hydraulic pipe for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2013 Volvo Bus 9700 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific coach is included in recall 12V450. If it is, contact a franchised Volvo Bus dealer to schedule the hydraulic-pipe repair. Reference recall number 12V450 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. For recall 12V450, Volvo Bus dealers add a rubber skirt to the hydraulic pipe free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. In recall 12V450, a cracked hydraulic fan-drive pipe can let oil spray onto hot engine components. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer repair and ask the service desk for guidance before continued operation.
When did the recall repair begin?
The recall repair began on October 22, 2012. Since that date is in the past, owners of included 2009-2013 Volvo Bus 9700 coaches should contact a franchised Volvo Bus dealer and reference recall 12V450 to schedule the free repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V450000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo Bus customer service | 1-418-883-2888 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V450 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V450000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →