Electrical system: starter assembly (Volvo)
Vehicle recall 03V-381. NHTSA received VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC.’s report on Oct 8, 2003.
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The short answer
NHTSA received VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC.’s report on Oct 8, 2003. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
OVER TIME THE STUDS MAY LOOSEN SUFFICIENTLY TO CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
ON CERTAIN HEAVY-DUTY CLASS TRUCKS, SALT AND OTHER HIGHWAY SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL CHEMICALS ARE GETTING UNDER THE PROTECTIVE CAPS OF THE CHASSIS MOUNTED EMERGENCY START STUDS AND CORRODING THEM.
THIS CONDITION DETERIORATES THE STUDS AND THE CONNECTIONS.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Electrical system: starter assembly.
What should you do?
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW CHASSIS MOUNTED EMERGENCY START STUDS AND ASSOCIATED BATTERY CABLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-528-6586.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VOLVO TRUCK RECALL NO. RVXX0307.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 176 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Volvo VNMand 2001, 2002 and 2003, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.