Recall 17V536 covers 470 2016 Volvo Vnm and Vnl trucks for loose tie-rod hardware. Repair will be free at any franchised Volvo dealer once available.
Volvo is recalling 470 2016 Vnm and Vnl trucks for a steer-axle castellated nut that was not properly torqued, a defect that lets the tie rod loosen. If the tie rod disconnects from the steering knuckle, the driver can lose steering; the Volvo dealer repair will be free once Volvo opens it.
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What's wrong?
The steering tie rod on these 2016 Volvo Vnm and Vnl trucks is part of the linkage between the steering gear and the steer axle wheels. It transfers steering input into wheel movement, so the connection has to stay tight while the axle moves under load. The castellated nut is the slotted retaining nut that holds that tie rod connection in place.
On trucks equipped with certain Dana Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles, that nut was not tightened to the required torque during assembly. Without the right clamping force, the tie rod connection loosens over time. If the tie rod separates, the driver loses the steering link at that wheel.
Drivers should get warning before separation. Dana identified noise and loosened steering as signs that the tie rod connection has started to loosen.
Who's affected?
The Vnm and Vnl listings point to the same steering area: the tie rod and steering system.
| 2016 Volvo Vnm | tie rod (steering linkage) |
|---|---|
| 2016 Volvo Vnm | steering system |
| 2016 Volvo Vnl | tie rod (steering linkage) |
| 2016 Volvo Vnl | steering system |
| Units affected | 470 |
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?
A loose tie rod can disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing complete loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash. Noise and loosened steering are warning signs before disconnection, so stop using the vehicle and call a Volvo dealer if they appear. Repair will be free at any franchised Volvo dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Volvo Vnm or Vnl is included in this recall.
- Watch for Volvo's owner notice or call Volvo customer service for recall status before scheduling service.
- Contact a franchised Volvo dealer once the repair is open, and ask for the free steering inspection and repair.
- Ask the dealer to inspect the castellated nut and tie rod torque, which fixes the loose tie rod condition that can lead to loss of steering.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 17V536 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the inspection is complete, and stop driving if the steering feels loose or abnormal.
What happens at the repair
Volvo's listed dealer repair is to inspect the torque on the castellated nut and tie rod, then tighten the joint as needed. If the tie rod stud and knuckle cannot be torqued enough, a Volvo technician replaces the knuckle and tie rod end assembly. Because the remedy is not listed as available, treat this as the planned dealer process, not an open repair appointment. The final dealer repair will be free once available.
Timeline
| August 29, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 15, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| September 15, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| October 16, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| October 16, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| October 17, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V536?
Recall 17V536 covers 470 2016 Volvo Vnm and Vnl trucks equipped with certain Dana Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles. The steer-axle castellated nut can be under-torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen.
What should I do if my 2016 Volvo Vnm or Vnl is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 17V536. If it is, contact a franchised Volvo dealer to schedule the steering inspection and repair. Reference recall number 17V536000 and Volvo recall number RVXX1702 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the repair at no cost to the owner. Volvo dealers will inspect the castellated nut and tie rod torque, tighten parts as needed, and replace the knuckle and tie rod end assembly if the parts cannot be torqued enough.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of steering. If the tie rod loosens and disconnects from the steering knuckle, the driver can lose steering control, which increases crash risk. Have the truck inspected by a franchised Volvo dealer if the VIN is included.
What if I bought this Volvo truck used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2016 Volvo Vnm or Vnl is included, then give the dealer recall number 17V536000 when scheduling service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V536000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo customer service | 1-800-528-6586 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V536 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V536000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - 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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →