Editor’s Note (May 5, 2026): This article has been updated to incorporate technical clarifications provided by Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems following original publication on April 29, 2026. Bendix has confirmed Volvo Group’s root-cause description but clarified three points not addressed in Volvo’s NHTSA Part 573 filing: (1) the protective cover, part number 995115, is a Volvo Group part — it is not a Bendix part and cannot be ordered from Bendix; (2) while no preemptive warning is provided prior to the ABS/ESC malfunction, fault codes, dashboard warnings, and driver alerts are issued coincident with or shortly after the system becomes unavailable; and (3) the modulator itself is not defective in design or manufacturing — it is designed to be installed with a harness or protective cover, and the recall stems from the absence of that cover at the connector. The article has been revised throughout to reflect these clarifications. A historical-context section referencing the 2024 Bendix EC80 ECU recall has also been removed; the two issues are mechanically and procedurally unrelated. The BRAKE Report regrets the errors.
Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks are recalling a combined 5,137 heavy-duty tractors built across four model lines after identifying unprotected electrical connectors on rear brake modulators that can short-circuit and cause anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control to become unavailable. The two recalls — filed simultaneously with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on April 23, 2026 — share a common defect, a common Bendix-supplied component, and a common Volvo Group production stop-shipment order issued April 16. Owner notification letters are scheduled to mail by June 22, 2026.
Highlights
- 5,137 vehicles affected across Volvo VNL and VNR tractors (2,800 units, NHTSA 26V260) and Mack Pioneer and Anthem tractors (2,337 units, NHTSA 26V261)
- Loss of ABS and ESC can occur when an unprotected modulator connector is exposed to moisture or contamination; according to Bendix, fault codes, dashboard warnings, and driver alerts fire coincident with or shortly after the system becomes unavailable
- 48 field reports and 47 warranty claims logged across the two populations, with no accidents or injuries reported to date
- Stop-shipment order issued April 16, 2026 to all Volvo Group facilities producing the affected vehicles
A Single Defect Across Two Brands
The defect involves a Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems rear brake modulator — part number 24710104, a 2-channel, 4-sensor PWSS unit — installed on tractors built with multiple rear brake modulators. The modulator’s electrical connector was left unprotected from environmental exposure during normal operation. Moisture or contamination at that connector can produce a short circuit that causes both the anti-lock brake system and Electronic Stability Program to become unavailable.
According to Bendix, the modulator itself is not defective in design or manufacturing. The component is designed to be installed with a harness or protective cover, and the recall is driven by the absence of that protection at the connector rather than by a fault in the modulator.
Vehicles equipped with only a single rear brake modulator are not affected by either recall.
According to NHTSA Part 573 filings, the loss of ABS and ESC increases crash and injury risk, particularly during emergency braking or stability events on slick surfaces. Bendix has clarified — in detail not addressed in Volvo Group’s Part 573 filing — that while no preemptive warning is provided prior to the malfunction, fault codes, dashboard warnings, and driver alerts are issued coincident with or shortly after ABS or ESC becomes unavailable.
Recall Population by Brand
The Volvo Trucks recall covers 2,770 model year 2025-2027 VNL (4) tractors built between January 8, 2024 and April 15, 2026, plus 30 model year 2026-2027 VNR (4) tractors built between May 28, 2025 and April 14, 2026. Volvo estimates 3.7% of the population is affected.
The Mack recall covers 1,694 model year 2025-2027 Pioneer PR (4) tractors built between October 22, 2024 and April 8, 2026, plus 643 model year 2026-2027 Anthem AN (4) tractors built between July 8, 2025 and April 8, 2026. Mack estimates 0.7% of its population is affected.
Field Report Disparity
Volvo’s filing documents 43 field reports and 43 warranty claims tied to 50 unique VINs, with the bulk of claims clustered in late 2024 and the first half of 2025. Mack’s filing documents only five field reports and four warranty claims tied to six unique VINs. The disparity is notable given that the two brands share the component and the production line.
How the Defect Surfaced
Both filings describe an identical investigation timeline. A Service Market quality report opened on January 12, 2026 after engineering teams flagged a rising number of vehicles logging diagnostic trouble code C10C256. Initial root-cause analysis on March 2 was inconclusive. On March 10, Bendix technical support visited an affected vehicle and identified the unprotected connector as the source of the fault.
The Volvo Group Product Safety Office launched a formal safety investigation on March 16. After three Product Safety Evaluation Committee reviews and additional driver-experience analysis, the Product Safety Committee voted to initiate the recall on April 16, 2026 — the same day the production stop-shipment order took effect across all Volvo Group facilities building the affected models.
Remedy and Notification
Dealers will inspect the rear brake modulator electrical connectors on every recalled vehicle. Any non-conforming modulators will be replaced, and a protective cover will be installed over the previously unprotected connector. According to Bendix, the cover — referenced in Volvo’s filing as part number 995115 — is a Volvo Group part used to cover unused electrical pins on the modulator’s X3 connector, and is not available through Bendix.
Repairs will be performed at no cost to the owner. Volvo Group has committed to its general reimbursement plan on file with NHTSA for owners who paid for related repairs prior to the recall.
Dealer notifications begin on or before April 30, 2026, with VIN lookup activating the same day. Owner notification letters are scheduled to mail on or before June 22, 2026, on a phased schedule. Volvo Trucks owners can contact customer service at 1-800-528-6586 referencing recall RVXX2605. Mack owners can contact 1-800-866-1177 referencing recall SC0494.
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