TSB: VOLVO VHD, VN (1994–2018)

Bulletin SP 431-021 — April 26, 2013

Bulletin Details

Bulletin IDSP 431-021
ManufacturerVOLVO
ModelsVHD, VN
Model Years1994–2018
Date IssuedApril 26, 2013
Date Added to NHTSAJanuary 22, 2018
ComponentELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Vehicles Affected51 combinations

What is a TSB?

A Technical Service Bulletin is a document issued by the vehicle manufacturer to inform dealership technicians about a known issue and the recommended repair procedure. TSBs are not mandatory recalls — they serve as repair guidance for common problems.

If your vehicle has this issue, bring this bulletin ID to your dealer. If under warranty, the repair should be covered at no cost.

Summary

Transmission ECU Programming

Affected Vehicles

MakeModelYearComponent
VOLVO VHD 2018 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2018 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2017 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2017 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2016 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2016 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2015 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2015 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2014 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2014 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2013 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2013 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2012 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2012 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2011 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2011 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2010 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2010 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2009 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2009 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2008 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2008 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2007 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2007 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2006 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2006 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2005 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2005 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2004 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2004 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2003 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2003 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2002 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2002 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2001 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2001 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 2000 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 2000 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 1999 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 1999 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 1998 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 1998 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 1997 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 1997 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 1996 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 1996 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 1995 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 1995 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 1994 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VHD 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
VOLVO VN 118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Related VOLVO Recalls

CampaignModelYearComponentSummary
VNL (4) 2026 SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL ... Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2026-2027 VNR ...
VNL (4) 2027 SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL ... Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2026-2027 VNR ...
VNR (4) 2027 SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL ... Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2026-2027 VNR ...
VNL (4) 2025 SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL ... Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2026-2027 VNR ...
VNR (4) 2026 SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL ... Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2026-2027 VNR ...

What Should You Do?

If your vehicle is affected by this TSB, contact your authorized VOLVO dealer. Bring this bulletin ID (SP 431-021) when you visit. If under warranty, the repair should be free. If your warranty has expired, ask about goodwill coverage — manufacturers sometimes cover TSB-related repairs beyond the warranty period.

Frequently Asked Questions

A recall is a mandatory safety fix — the manufacturer must repair every affected vehicle for free. A TSB is an advisory document that describes a known issue and the recommended fix, but repairs are not required. However, some TSBs eventually lead to recalls if the issue poses a safety risk. TSBs are generally issued for quality or performance problems, while recalls address safety defects.

If your vehicle is still under the manufacturer's warranty, TSB-related repairs are typically covered at no cost. If your warranty has expired, you can ask the dealer about goodwill or customer assistance programs. Many manufacturers will cover or partially cover repairs for well-known issues, especially if the TSB was issued recently or affects a large number of vehicles.

Check the make, model, and model year listed above against your vehicle. If they match, this bulletin likely applies. However, TSBs may only affect vehicles with specific production dates, VIN ranges, or configurations. Your dealer can confirm by entering your VIN into their service system, which will show all applicable TSBs and recalls.

This data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Manufacturers are required to submit copies of all communications (including TSBs) sent to their dealers to NHTSA. The agency makes this data publicly available as part of its vehicle safety monitoring program.