Recall 13V349 affects 17,824 2011-2012 Volvo Vnl, Vhd, Vnm and Vah trucks for windshield wiper motor failure. Repair is free at any franchised Volvo dealer.
Volvo is recalling 17,824 2011-2012 Vnl, Vhd, Vnm, and Vah trucks because of a windshield wiper motor defect. If the wipers stop working, driver visibility is reduced and crash risk increases; the Volvo dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The windshield wiper motor on affected 2011-2012 Volvo Vnl, Vhd, Vnm, and Vah trucks is the electric drive unit that moves the wiper arms across the glass. When it works normally, the motor turns the wiper linkage so the blades sweep rain, snow, and road spray off the windshield. The driver depends on that motion to keep a clear view through the front glass.
In this recall, the wiper motor can fail. When the motor stops working, the linkage no longer moves the wiper arms, so the blades stop clearing the windshield even though the wiper switch has been turned on. The recall text does not identify a separate root cause beyond the motor failure itself.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver first notices the problem when the wipers do not move or stop responding during use.
Who's affected?
Covers four Volvo truck models from the 2011 and 2012 model years, all tied to the wiper system.
| 2012 Volvo Vnl | wiper system |
|---|---|
| 2011 Volvo Vhd | wiper system |
| 2012 Volvo Vhd | wiper system |
| 2012 Volvo Vnm | wiper system |
| 2012 Volvo Vah | wiper system |
| 2011 Volvo Vah | wiper system |
| 2011 Volvo Vnm | wiper system |
| 2011 Volvo Vnl | wiper system |
| Units affected | 17,824 |
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?
Inoperable windshield wipers reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash. If the wipers fail, avoid wet-weather trips and schedule the recall repair before using the truck in rain, snow, or road spray. 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, Vnm, or Vah is included in this recall.
- Check your mail and service records for the Volvo recall notice mailed after December 6, 2013.
- Contact a franchised Volvo dealer to ask whether the free windshield-wiper-motor replacement is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 13V349 and Volvo recall RVXX1304 when you call.
- Avoid driving in rain, snow, or low-visibility conditions until the wiper motor is replaced.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volvo technician replaces the windshield wiper motor covered by recall 13V349. The remedy record says Volvo began owner notification on December 6, 2013, and the dealer repair is performed free of charge. If your truck still needs the recall completed, ask the Volvo service desk to confirm the wiper motor campaign by VIN before the repair order is opened. The dealer repair will be free once available for your VIN.
Timeline
| August 13, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 6, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V349?
Recall 13V349 covers 17,824 2011-2012 Volvo Vah, Vhd, Vnl, and Vnm trucks with a windshield wiper motor that can fail. Inoperable wipers reduce driver visibility and increase crash risk. Volvo dealers replace the windshield wiper motor for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Volvo Vnl, Vhd, Vnm, or Vah is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 13V349. If it is, contact a franchised Volvo dealer to schedule the windshield wiper motor replacement. Reference recall 13V349 or Volvo recall RVXX1304 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Volvo's remedy says dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Volvo dealer handling the recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced driver visibility. If the windshield wiper motor fails, the wipers stop working, and poor visibility increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free Volvo dealer repair before relying on the truck in rain, snow, or road spray.
When did Volvo start this recall repair?
Volvo began the recall repair on December 6, 2013. Owners with included VINs were directed to Volvo dealers for a free windshield wiper motor replacement. If you never received a notice, check your VIN and call a Volvo dealer with recall 13V349.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V349000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo customer service | 1-336-393-2000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V349 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V349000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →