2020 Volvo VN
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2020 Volvo VN has 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 8. The most common issue is electrical problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: the owner programmed a 5 minute idle shut off and did not provide anything for me as the driver to stay warm at night i was driving during winter and traveling to states like wyoming where it reached 23 degrees. he has many things not up to dot regulations with his truck, lot of things are not worki. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.
8
Total Complaints
2
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 6)
ELECTRICAL
2 complaints- • THE OWNER PROGRAMMED A 5 MINUTE IDLE SHUT OFF AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANYTHING FOR ME AS THE DRIVER TO STAY WARM AT NIGHT I WAS DRIVING DURING WINTER AND TRAVELING TO STATES LIKE WYOMING WHERE IT REACHED 23 DEGREES. HE HAS MANY THINGS NOT UP TO DOT REGULATIONS WITH HIS TRUCK, LOT OF THINGS ARE NOT WORKI
- • The contact owns a 2020 Volvo VN. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V790000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the contact called the local dealer to schedule an appointment and was informed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manuf
“THE OWNER PROGRAMMED A 5 MINUTE IDLE SHUT OFF AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANYTHING FOR ME AS THE DRIVER TO STAY WARM AT NIGHT I WAS DRIVING DURING WINTER AND TRAVELING TO STATES LIKE WYOMING WHERE IT REACHED 23 DEGREES. HE HAS MANY THINGS NOT UP TO DOT REGULATIONS WITH HIS TRUCK, LOT OF THINGS ARE NOT WORKI”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (2)
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2019-2024 VN and VHD vehicles. The passenger side bench seat may be inadequately attached to the floor. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, "Seating Systems" and 210, "Seatbelt Assembly Anchorage."
Risk: The attachment points may fail, allowing the bench seat to shift and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the weld nut with two nuts and a washer, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 29, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks number for this recall is RVXX2312.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Volvo VN
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Volvo VN Service Intervals
T5/T6/T8 all use 4-cylinder engines. T8 plug-in hybrids: battery cooling system serviced with engine coolant.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Volvo New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
Corrosion unlimited miles for 12 years
These are the terms for a new Volvo. If you're buying a used 2020 VN, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Volvo dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 8 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: THE OWNER PROGRAMMED A 5 MINUTE IDLE SHUT OFF AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANYTHING FOR ME AS THE DRIVER TO STAY WARM AT NIGHT I WAS DRIVING DURING WINTER AND TRAVELING TO STATES LIKE WYOMING WHERE IT REACHED 23 DEGREES. HE HAS MANY THINGS NOT UP TO DOT REGULATIONS WITH HIS TRUCK, LOT OF THINGS ARE NOT WORKI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: The contact owns a 2020 Volvo VN. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V790000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the contact called the local dealer to schedule an appointment and was informed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manuf
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 VOLVO VNL TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLEEPER BUNK WINDOW DETACHED ON TOP HOWEVER, THE BOTTOM BRACKETS PREVENTED THE WINDOW FROM COMPLETELY DETACHING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. WESTFALL GMC TRUCK INC LOCATED AT 3915 RANDOLPH RD, RANDOLPH, MO 64161 (816) 455-7
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐LIGHTING: THE OWNER PROGRAMMED A 5 MINUTE IDLE SHUT OFF AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANYTHING FOR ME AS THE DRIVER TO STAY WARM AT NIGHT I WAS DRIVING DURING WINTER AND TRAVELING TO STATES LIKE WYOMING WHERE IT REACHED 23 DEGREES. HE HAS MANY THINGS NOT UP TO DOT REGULATIONS WITH HIS TRUCK, LOT OF THINGS ARE NOT WORKI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Volvo dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Volvo VN — Year Comparison
How does 2020 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 8
- Recalls
- 2
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 8
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2020 Volvo VN