Recall 15V651 affects 14,934 2009-2015 Volvo Vn trucks for ball-joint corrosion that can cause steering loss. Free repair once Volvo opens it.
Volvo is recalling 14,934 2009-2015 Vn trucks because compromised ball-joint seals can allow corrosion, accelerated wear, and ball-joint failure. If the joint separates, the truck can lose steering and crash risk increases; the Volvo dealer repair will be free once Volvo opens the final remedy.
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What's wrong?
The sealed drag link on 2009-2015 Volvo Vn trucks is part of the front steering and suspension linkage. It uses ball joints, round pivot points that let the link move with the axle while still holding the steering connection tight. The seals are meant to keep water and road grit out of those joints.
On affected trucks, the ball joint seals become compromised. Once the seal no longer protects the joint, corrosion starts inside the joint and the ball joint wears faster than intended. As the wear builds, the joint loosens and reaches the point where the drag link no longer meets out-of-service inspection criteria.
The warning sign is looseness in the ball joint during a proper inspection. A driver is not being told to listen for a specific noise or watch for a dashboard light. Have the joint checked by a Volvo service department using the inspection procedure for recall 15V651.
Who's affected?
Both upper and lower control arms are included across the 2009-2015 Vn model years.
| 2009 Volvo Vn | lower control arm |
|---|---|
| 2009 Volvo Vn | upper control arm |
| 2010 Volvo Vn | lower control arm |
| 2010 Volvo Vn | upper control arm |
| 2011 Volvo Vn | lower control arm |
| 2011 Volvo Vn | upper control arm |
| 2012 Volvo Vn | lower control arm |
| 2012 Volvo Vn | upper control arm |
| 2013 Volvo Vn | lower control arm |
| 2013 Volvo Vn | upper control arm |
| 2014 Volvo Vn | lower control arm |
| 2014 Volvo Vn | upper control arm |
| 2015 Volvo Vn | lower control arm |
| 2015 Volvo Vn | upper control arm |
| Units affected | 14,934 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A failed ball joint can let the socket separate and cause a complete loss of steering, increasing crash risk. Ball-joint looseness is found during inspection, so have the vehicle inspected and follow Volvo dealer guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Volvo dealer once Volvo opens it.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2015 Volvo Vn is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volvo dealer and ask whether the drag-link inspection and replacement parts are ready for your VIN.
- Schedule the free drag-link inspection and replacement that fixes the corroded ball-joint condition tied to steering loss.
- Bring the recall notice if Volvo mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V651 when you call.
- Call Volvo customer service at 1-877-800-4945 option #1 with questions about vehicle inspection RVXX1508 or drag-link replacement RVXX1509.
What happens at the repair
Volvo's interim notice first told owners that parts were not available. The repair path is still clear: at the dealer, a Volvo technician inspects the drag links and replaces them, free under the recall, once parts are available for the vehicle. Parts and labor are covered. Volvo's standard reimbursement plan is on file for this recall. If you already paid for a related drag link or ball joint repair before the recall notice, ask Volvo customer service or the dealer how to submit documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 13, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 16, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
| October 16, 2015 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 2, 2015 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| November 2, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 1, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V651?
Recall 15V651 covers 14,934 2009-2015 Volvo Vn trucks with ball-joint corrosion that can lead to drag link wear and failure. If the ball joint separates from the socket, the truck can lose steering. Volvo dealers will inspect and replace the drag links for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2015 Volvo Vn is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 15V651. If it is, contact a franchised Volvo dealer to schedule the drag link inspection and replacement. Reference recall number 15V651 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform safety recall repairs at no cost. Volvo dealers will inspect and replace the drag links free of charge under recall 15V651, regardless of where the truck was originally purchased.
What is the safety risk in recall 15V651?
The safety risk is loss of steering. Corrosion can accelerate ball-joint wear, and failure can let the socket separate from the joint. That can cause a complete loss of steering control and increase crash risk.
What if I bought my Volvo Vn used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the truck, not the first owner. If Volvo did not mail you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Vn is included, then call a franchised Volvo dealer with recall number 15V651.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V651000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo customer service | 1-877-800-4945 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V651 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V651000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →