NHTSA safety recall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Volvo Trucks VNL recall: The service brake may take longer than expected to release

Recall published 7 months ago

The service brake may take longer than expected to release. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 121, "Air Brake Systems."

The hazard: Brake system defect

The campaign concerns the braking system. Most of these defects are intermittent, which is precisely why they are recalled rather than left to be noticed.

What the notice says: A delayed brake release can increase the risk of crash.

Why it matters: A fault in the braking system can lengthen stopping distances or cause a loss of braking. Unlike most vehicle faults, this one gives very little warning before it matters.

Recall details

Recall number
26V186000
Published
March 25, 2026
Risk level
NHTSA safety recall
Status
Open safety recall
Issued by
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Brand
Volvo Trucks
Product type
Service Brakes, Air
Distribution
Nationwide
Vehicles
Volvo VNL (4)
Lot / code info
NHTSA campaign number 26V186000

Products covered by this recall

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2025-2026 VNL (4) vehicles. The service brake may take longer than expected to release. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Vehicles in this campaign

Check your product

The notice names 1 code you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Vehicle

Match this against the make and model on your registration.

  • VNL (4)

Codes are lifted verbatim from the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Brakes

Volvo Trucks — The campaign concerns the braking system. Most of these defects are intermittent, which is precisely why they are recalled rather than left to be noticed.

  1. Book this repair promptly, and in the meantime leave a larger gap than usual to the vehicle in front.
  2. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you do anything else. A campaign covers a build range, not every car of that model year, and the VIN lookup is the only thing that confirms yours is included.
  3. Call any franchised dealer for the brand, give them the campaign number from this page, and ask them to confirm parts are in stock before you book — part supply, not labour, is what delays a fresh recall.
  4. Tell the dealer if you have noticed a soft or sinking pedal, a longer stop, a warning light or a new noise — those symptoms affect how urgently they fit you in.

What the recall repair costs you

Nothing, and that is a legal obligation rather than a goodwill gesture. The question worth asking is what else is covered.

  • Recall work is free for as long as you own the vehicle, with no mileage limit, no age limit for the current owner, and no requirement that you bought the car from that dealer.
  • If you already paid an independent garage for the same fix, submit the invoice to the manufacturer under their reimbursement plan.
  • Get the closed campaign noted on your service record. Buyers and insurers both check.
  • Ask about a loaner or rental when you book, not when you arrive. On a parts-delayed campaign it is frequently available and almost never volunteered.

Remedy named in the notice: Dealers will install an additional brake valve and fittings to the service brake pneumatic plumbing, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed July 29, 2026.Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks' number for this recall is RVXX2602.

Company contact: Volvo Trucks North America

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Volvo Trucks service brakes, air recalled?

The service brake may take longer than expected to release. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 121, "Air Brake Systems." A delayed brake release can increase the risk of crash.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Book this repair promptly, and in the meantime leave a larger gap than usual to the vehicle in front.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Dealers will install an additional brake valve and fittings to the service brake pneumatic plumbing, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed July 29, 2026.Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks' number for this recall is RVXX2602.

Does the repair cost me anything?

No. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at a franchised dealer for as long as the campaign is open, whether or not the vehicle is still under warranty.

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