How dependable in Volvo semi Truck

Like I said if you get a d12 block the #### egr's. Save a couple grand in the coming years.

 

Even though Cummins and Detroits might not be considered the best diesel engines out there, parts and service for them is everywhere. Even at many truck stops. Most diesel techs can work on them.

To me this is important. You can have the best product in the world...but if you can't get it repaired or serviced when you need it, then the best product in the world becomes the worst.

 

I can't say the volvo engine is bad, I don't think it is. I have a d12 and have 625,000 miles on it and it still pulls well. I think it could pull better but the tech's don't understand the computer. I was looking at the website for the marine version and they have it listed at 800 hp max. NICE. The Parts seem fairly easy to get, I haven't had to wait for more than the next day for repairs mostly waiting to get into the shop. I think most techs are afraid of the computer and doing anything to it.

If you get repairs done outside the Volvo Truck shops there is no warrenty with the work, even if you get it done at the company shop they don't care and it's up to you to get satisifaction from the shop that did your repairs if they weren't done at volvo.

 

the 2 biggest problems with volvo motors that everyone complains about have nothing to do with volvo.

1. EGR problems. thank the govt. for all these emissions BS. alot of early egr motors have problems, not just volvo.

2. improper diagnostics. that's the dealer's fault. they need to find better mechanics or have a better training program. one thing i don't hear enough is how great the on board diagnostics are. every problem i had with the motor, and many other problems with the truck, the computer told me what the part falied.

alot of guys that bash volvos never owned one or really drove one. i have a '06 d12 465hp and she'll out pull my c15 475hp anyday (except some of those 5 mile 9% grades in upstate NY and PA). and it gets more than 1 mpg higher.

and parts for the motor are relatively cheap. try pricing out parts on a Cat.

 

You sort of hit the nail on the head for everyone when you talk about lack of well trained mechanics.

This seems to be the biggest complaint about Volvo engines. Few techs seem to know what they are doing when working on them.

I have driven the Volvos with the Volvo engine and liked it. But if you are unable to find anyone trained to work on it then you have a problem.

As large as Volvo is worldwide, and as many trucks as they sell, you would think this would be an area they would shine in. But they don't.

 

So many times I here of "Factory Trained Techs" I can't believe some of these people are trained at all. it seem's you only need to have and inpact wrench and some sockets anymore, no personal skills. its no problem if you leave a couple of bolts out and don't put all the heat shields back on. Just as long as you have a Cell Phone and an IPOD to listen to.

 

I know sounds funny but here it is my electrical problem(Volvo has'em plenty). My left-right turning signal is not working no more audible wise. Lights work but not the click-click. So no more click-click at all. No more warning sound when the air pressure goes too low.
I took off the dash and I realized I cannot do a dam' thing coz everything it's sealed in one piece. Now I will have to buy the whole dash in order to have my click-click back.
Go figure.

 

2011 Volvo d13 12 sp auto purchased Jan 2011. 20 times in shop (all sensor failures), towed 3 times, 22 weeks down time, behind 2 payments.
My previous truck was a 98 Volvo 12 with 1.5 million miles basically trouble free (other than normal maintenance). I mailed a letter to Volvo a month ago explaining my problem. So far they have ignored me...no return letter no phone call nothing...

 

And they will keep ignoring u. For them as long u dont buy 100 trucks u are just "miscelaneous". I am so sorry to hear what happen to u because I went through the same thing my first year of payments.

 

Agreed!! I have an 2011 VNL730, ISX15, EF13 and the only reason I went with the Cummins engine was because I've never had an issue finding a shop to work on them.
With the setup I have, I'm running in the high 6-low 7 range on mpg with an average of 41K on the box....