Defect
THE BRAKE LINE BETWEEN THE PROPORTIONING VALVE AND THE REAR WHEEL BRAKE MAY FRACTURE.
Remedy
THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
1981 Volvo Volvo Truck problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1981 Volvo Volvo Truck — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1981 compare to other Volvo Truck years?
Does the 1981 Volvo Volvo Truck have recalls?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
THE TORSION BAR CLAMP MAY ALLOW THE TORSION BAR TO MOVE. INCREASED EFFORT WILL BE REQUIRED TO RAISE OR LOWER THE TILT CAB.
Remedy
THE CLAMPS THAT ATTACH THE TWO REAR-MOST TORSION BARS TO THE CHASSIS WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE.
Defect
SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO EXTENSIVE RUSTING OF THE SPLINED SECTION OF THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT. THIS COULD PREVENT THE SPLINED SHAFT FROM MOVING INTO THE SLEEVE. IF THIS OCCURS, EXCESSIVE STRESS IS APPLIED BETWEEN THE JOINT CONNECTION AND INPUT SHAFT, CAUSING UNACCEPTABLE MOTION OF THE UNIVERSAL JOINT CONNECTION.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE EXISTING COLUMN WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED COLUMN OR WILL INVERT THE EXISTING COLUMN TO LOCATE THE SPLINED SECTION INSIDE THE CAB, AT NO COST TO OWNER.
1981 Volvo Volvo Truck — common questions
Is the 1981 Volvo Volvo Truck reliable?
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.
Does the 1981 Volvo Volvo Truck have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1981 Volvo Volvo Truck. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.