FMCSA orders certain Volvo trucks out of service immediately

A potential manufacturing defect in the truck's steering mechanism of certain recently built Volvo trucks has led the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to order roadside inspectors to place out of service immediately all affected models that haven't been repaired.

The order applies to trucks subject to a recall (NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Report No. 16V-097000) issued March 10 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) affecting certain model year 2016-2017 Volvo VNL, VNX, and VNM trucks manufactured from May 11, 2015 through March 8, 2016. The recall affects nearly 20,000 vehicles, including nearly 16,000 in the U.S.

The trucks may have been manufactured without a roll pin on the steering shaft. If the roll pin is missing, the lower steering shaft may disconnect from the junction block. Also, the bolt connecting the upper steering shaft to the lower steering shaft may not have been properly tightened. Either condition can lead to separation of the steering shaft without warning, resulting in a complete loss of steering.

Owners or operators of Volvo trucks meeting the recall description should immediately call Volvo Customer Support at 877-800-4945 (Option 1).