Recall 16V735 affects 4,177 2009-2016 Volvo Vhd trucks for contaminated drag-link ball joints. Repair is free at any franchised Volvo dealer.
Volvo is recalling 4,177 2009-2016 Vhd trucks with USK non-greasable drag links because compromised ball joint seals let water and contaminants into the joints. Corrosion and accelerated wear can lead to ball joint failure and complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash; Volvo dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The drag link on a 2009-2016 Volvo Vhd truck is part of the steering linkage. It helps transfer steering movement from the steering gear to the front wheels. The ball joints at the ends let the link pivot as the wheels steer and the front suspension moves.
The problem starts with the seal around the ball socket. If that boot was damaged during manufacturing, water and other road contaminants get inside the joint instead of staying out. That contamination wears the socket and creates looseness in the drag link, which is why Volvo's standard greasable drag link is used as the replacement.
Before failure, the warning sign is looseness found when the ball socket is checked under the required inspection practices used for heavy trucks. An owner, fleet mechanic, or inspection technician should treat that looseness as the sign that the joint no longer has the tight fit it needs.
Who's affected?
Both lower and upper control arm components are included across the full 2009 through 2016 Vhd span.
| 2009 Volvo Vhd | lower control arm |
|---|---|
| 2009 Volvo Vhd | upper control arm |
| 2010 Volvo Vhd | lower control arm |
| 2010 Volvo Vhd | upper control arm |
| 2011 Volvo Vhd | lower control arm |
| 2011 Volvo Vhd | upper control arm |
| 2012 Volvo Vhd | lower control arm |
| 2012 Volvo Vhd | upper control arm |
| 2013 Volvo Vhd | lower control arm |
| 2013 Volvo Vhd | upper control arm |
| 2014 Volvo Vhd | lower control arm |
| 2014 Volvo Vhd | upper control arm |
| 2015 Volvo Vhd | lower control arm |
| 2015 Volvo Vhd | upper control arm |
| 2016 Volvo Vhd | lower control arm |
| 2016 Volvo Vhd | upper control arm |
| Units affected | 4,177 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
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 worn drag-link ball joint can fail after corrosion and accelerated wear, leading to complete loss of steering and increased crash risk. Looseness in the ball socket during inspection is the warning sign; schedule service if it is found. Repair is free at any franchised Volvo dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2016 Volvo Vhd is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volvo dealer to schedule the free drag-link replacement that fixes the ball-joint seal issue tied to steering loss.
- Bring the recall notice if Volvo mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V735 when you call.
- Ask Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586 if you need help finding a dealer or confirming the repair path.
- Avoid putting the truck back in service if the steering feels loose or abnormal until a Volvo dealer inspects it.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volvo technician replaces the drag links covered by recall 16V735. The replacement is free, with parts and labor covered under the recall. The repair addresses USK non-greasable drag links whose ball joint seals can let water and contaminants into the ball joints. If you already paid for a related drag link or ball joint repair before the recall notice, Volvo's standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring repair invoices and proof of payment to the service desk.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 13, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 14, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| October 14, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 2, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 9, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 9, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V735?
Recall 16V735 covers 4,177 2009-2016 Volvo Vhd trucks equipped with USK non-greasable drag links. Compromised ball joint seals can let water and contaminants into the ball joints, which leads to corrosion, accelerated wear, and eventual ball joint failure. Volvo dealers will replace the drag links for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2016 Volvo Vhd is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 16V735. If it is, contact a franchised Volvo dealer to schedule the drag-link replacement. Reference recall number 16V735 or Volvo recall RVXX1606 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Volvo dealers will replace the affected drag links free of charge. Volvo lists customer service at 1-800-528-6586 for questions about recall RVXX1606.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of steering control. If water and contaminants enter the ball joint, corrosion and accelerated wear can lead to ball joint failure. NHTSA campaign 16V735 says that failure can result in complete loss of steering and raise crash risk.
What if I bought my Volvo Vhd used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the truck, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Volvo Vhd is included, then call a franchised Volvo dealer and reference recall 16V735 or Volvo recall RVXX1606.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V735000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo customer service | 1-800-528-6586 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V735 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V735000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →