Recall 18V766 covers 4,625 2004-2019 Volvo Vhd trucks with plow lights that leave marker and tail lamps off. Repair is free at any franchised Volvo dealer.
Volvo is recalling 4,625 2004-2019 Vhd trucks equipped with snow plow lamp preparation kits because the snow plow headlights can run while marker and tail lamps stay off, and the high beam indicator does not work with snow plow high beams. Reduced visibility increases crash risk, and Volvo dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The affected part is the snow plow lamp preparation kit on 2004-2019 Volvo Vhd trucks. That kit lets a plow-equipped truck use snow plow headlights, while the rest of the exterior lighting system still tells other drivers where the truck is and whether high beams are on.
On affected trucks, the lighting design allows the snow plow headlights to turn on without the other required exterior lights. The high beam indicator also does not work when the snow plow high beams are on. That means the truck is not operating the lighting system the way federal headlamp and indicator rules require.
The warning sign is inside the cab. If the instrument cluster lights are not on while the snow plow headlights are on, that tells the driver the lighting system is not working as intended.
Who's affected?
Covers a long Vhd production span, with each listed model year tied to exterior lighting.
| 2017 Volvo Vhd | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2016 Volvo Vhd | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 Volvo Vhd | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 Volvo Vhd | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 Volvo Vhd | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 Volvo Vhd | Exterior lighting |
| 2011 Volvo Vhd | Exterior lighting |
| 2010 Volvo Vhd | Exterior lighting |
| 2009 Volvo Vhd | Exterior lighting |
| 2004 Volvo Vhd | Exterior lighting |
| 2006 Volvo Vhd | Exterior lighting |
| 2007 Volvo Vhd | Exterior lighting |
| 2008 Volvo Vhd | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Volvo Vhd | Exterior lighting |
| 2005 Volvo Vhd | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Volvo Vhd | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 4,625 |
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?
With the snow plow headlights on, the marker and tail lamps can be off, making the vehicle less visible to other drivers and increasing crash risk. If the instrument cluster lights are off, treat that as the warning and schedule service soon. Repair is free at any franchised Volvo dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2019 Volvo Vhd is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volvo dealer to schedule the free plow-light software update that fixes the snow plow headlight, marker lamp, tail lamp, and high-beam indicator issue.
- Bring the recall notice if Volvo sent one. Reference recall number 18V766 and Volvo recall RVXX1804 when you call.
- Confirm the marker and tail lamps are on before operating the truck with snow plow headlights until the repair is complete.
- Call Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586 with questions about the recall or dealer scheduling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volvo technician updates the software that controls the snow plow light preparation kit. The update keeps the snow plow headlights and related exterior lighting logic working as required, including the high beam indicator behavior. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, so the dealer repair is free. Volvo has a reimbursement plan for owners who paid for this repair before the recall notice. Bring repair paperwork to the service desk or contact Volvo customer service for claim instructions.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 30, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 20, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| November 20, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 19, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 21, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 21, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V766?
Recall 18V766 covers 4,625 2004-2019 Volvo Vhd trucks with snow plow lamp preparation kits. The snow plow headlights can turn on while marker and tail lamps stay off, and the high beam indicator does not work with the plow high beams. Volvo dealers update the plow-light software for free.
What should I do if my 2004-2019 Volvo Vhd is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 18V766. If it is, contact a franchised Volvo dealer to schedule the plow-light software update. Reference recall number 18V766 and Volvo recall number RVXX1804 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's remedy says dealers will update the software related to the plow lights free of charge at a franchised Volvo dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility to other drivers. If the snow plow headlights are on while the marker and tail lamps are off, the truck is harder to see from the side or rear. That raises crash risk under recall 18V766.
What if I bought this Volvo Vhd used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2004-2019 Volvo Vhd is included, then call a franchised Volvo dealer and reference recall 18V766.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V766000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo customer service | 1-800-528-6586 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V766 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V766000 |
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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →