Recall 21V717 covers 860 2008-2021 Volvo Bus 9700 buses for improper headlight output. Free repair at a franchised Volvo Bus dealer.
Volvo Bus is recalling 860 2008-2021 9700 coaches because the headlights have incorrect light output, leaving them too bright or too dim. That can reduce visibility and increase crash risk, and Volvo Bus dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The headlamps on 2008-2021 Volvo Bus 9700 buses are the front lighting assemblies that provide low beam and high beam illumination. They help the driver see the road and help other road users judge the bus's position, especially in darkness or poor weather. The left and right headlamps also have to meet a set light-output pattern, not just turn on.
On affected buses, the headlamps do not have the correct amount of light output. Volvo Bus testing found the lamps were outside the required range, either too bright or too dim, so the buses do not comply with the federal lighting standard. The root cause was still under review in the recall record, but the defect is the lamp output itself, not an owner adjustment or a burned-out bulb.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver is not told by a dashboard message that the headlamps are too bright or too dim, so the issue depends on recall inspection and repair.
Who's affected?
The scope separates the headlight assembly from the headlight bulbs, so the same model year appears under 2 exterior-lighting components.
| 2009 Volvo Bus 9700 | Bulbs |
|---|---|
| 2009 Volvo Bus 9700 | Headlights |
| 2013 Volvo Bus 9700 | Bulbs |
| 2013 Volvo Bus 9700 | Headlights |
| 2015 Volvo Bus 9700 | Bulbs |
| 2015 Volvo Bus 9700 | Headlights |
| 2011 Volvo Bus 9700 | Bulbs |
| 2011 Volvo Bus 9700 | Headlights |
| 2016 Volvo Bus 9700 | Bulbs |
| 2016 Volvo Bus 9700 | Headlights |
| 2018 Volvo Bus 9700 | Bulbs |
| 2018 Volvo Bus 9700 | Headlights |
| 2019 Volvo Bus 9700 | Bulbs |
| 2019 Volvo Bus 9700 | Headlights |
| 2010 Volvo Bus 9700 | Bulbs |
| 2010 Volvo Bus 9700 | Headlights |
| 2020 Volvo Bus 9700 | Bulbs |
| 2020 Volvo Bus 9700 | Headlights |
| 2008 Volvo Bus 9700 | Bulbs |
| 2008 Volvo Bus 9700 | Headlights |
| 2017 Volvo Bus 9700 | Bulbs |
| 2017 Volvo Bus 9700 | Headlights |
| 2014 Volvo Bus 9700 | Bulbs |
| 2014 Volvo Bus 9700 | Headlights |
| 2012 Volvo Bus 9700 | Bulbs |
| 2012 Volvo Bus 9700 | Headlights |
| 2021 Volvo Bus 9700 | Bulbs |
| 2021 Volvo Bus 9700 | Headlights |
| Units affected | 860 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Headlights that are too bright or too dim reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair soon, especially before night driving, and use extra care in low light until the repair is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Volvo Bus dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2021 Volvo Bus 9700 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volvo Bus dealer to schedule the free headlight assembly or bulb replacement that corrects overly bright or dim headlight output.
- Bring the recall notice if Volvo Bus mailed one. If not, reference recall number 21V717 when you call.
- Use extra caution until the repair is complete, especially at night or in poor visibility.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volvo Bus technician replaces the headlight assembly or the bulbs so the lights meet the required output. Parts and labor are covered under recall 21V717, so the repair is free. If you already paid for a related headlight repair before the recall notice, ask Volvo Bus customer service or the dealer how to submit documentation under Volvo's general reimbursement plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 15, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 28, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| April 28, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 28, 2023 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 28, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 1, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V717?
Recall 21V717 covers 860 2008-2021 Volvo Bus 9700 vehicles with headlights that have incorrect light output. The headlights can be too bright or too dim, which fails Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 and increases crash risk.
What should I do if my 2008-2021 Volvo Bus 9700 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V717. If it is, contact a franchised Volvo Bus dealer to schedule headlight assembly or bulb replacement. Reference recall 21V717 when you call. Volvo Bus customer service is 1-866-870-2046.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Volvo Bus says dealers will replace the headlight assembly or bulbs free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility from headlights with incorrect light output. Headlights that are too dim limit the driver's view, while headlights that are too bright affect other drivers. Volvo Bus links this defect to an increased risk of a crash.
What if I bought my Volvo Bus 9700 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the original owner. If you did not receive the owner letter mailed September 1, 2023, check your VIN and give recall 21V717 to the Volvo Bus dealer when scheduling service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V717000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo Bus customer service | 1-866-870-2046 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V717 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V717000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →