Volvo Trucks North America is recalling certain VNL and VNM trucks because of a steering axle issue, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents.
More specifically, several hundred 2016 Volvo VNL and VNM trucks equipped with certain Dana Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles are being recalled. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen, NHTSA recall documents reveal.
The tie rod could potentially disconnect from the steering knuckle if loosened. This could lead to a complete loss of steering. Worst case scenario, the steering axle issue can increase the risk of a crash.
Owners affected by the recall will be notified by Volvo, whose dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nut and tie rod. Dealers will replace the knuckle and tie rod end assembly for free if it cannot be sufficiently torqued during inspection.
For more information, contact Volvo’s customer service at 800-528-6586 with recall number RVXX1702. The NHTSA recall number is 17V-536.
This is not the first time Greensboro, N.C.-based Volvo has recalled trucks over steering problems. Volvo had to recall nearly 16,000 trucks in the U.S. in March 2016 after it discovered VNL, VNM and VNX trucks may have been manufactured without a roll pin on the steering shafts. With this problem, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration had to step in and place any affected vehicle that was not fixed out of service if driven on the roads.
In July 2016, certain 2013 VNL and VNM trucks with Meritor FF967 nondrive front steer axles were recalled. Those axles may have been incorrectly heat treated.
