AI Damage2001 Volvo VN660: common problems
Owners of the 2001 Volvo VN660 filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and equipment. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 71% of all complaints
- 2 Equipment 29% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 14% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 14% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 14% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (71% of all).
- Equipment: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Suspension: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Consumer explains the auto shift on vehicle changes on it's own. Vehicle has been to several repair shops but to no avail. Loose connections in the transmission have been replaced numerous times. A speed sensing module was also replaced on the transmission.
Consumer stated there was a severe noise in the transmission, dealer found transmission cooler severely leaking, causing damage to all gearing in the front box and front 3 gears, dealer rebuilt the transmission and replaced the transmission cooler, the cooler has failed 4 times.
Consumer states that the in-dash radio failed, it was not covered under warranty due to new cb antennas that cancelled the warranty, consumer states there is nothing in the owners manual or warranty that states that claim.
The driver tires show abnormal wear, the vehicle experienced abnormal drive train vibration. The front axle sounds like its going to fall off when driving over a bump, also there is a u-bolt problem.
Am fire investigator, have had 3 fires involving faulty solenoid energinzing starter causing overheated power cable, resulting in fire. 2 were volvo truck tractors and 1 a pontiac gran prix.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 12,538 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 34% most complained about).
On average one model year of the VN660 has 8 complaints (3 years in the data). This year has 7, about average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Volvo VN660?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, equipment, electrical system. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: overheating, coolant loss (14%), infotainment or screen glitches (14%), smoke, burning smell, fire (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2001 Volvo VN660?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2001 Volvo VN660 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2001 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.