IllustrationSTEERING WHEEL LOCK ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. *AK
1981 Volvo Dl
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Dl years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Steering complaints
1 reportsOfficial recalls
181V131000 · Electrical System:ignition
Oct 23, 1981
DUE TO INSUFFICIENT GROUNDING OF THE INTERNAL IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR PARTS, THE IGNITION COULD MISFIRE. THIS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE DRIVEABILITY AND LONGEVITY OF THE DISTRIBUTOR COMPONENTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH MODIFIED IGNITION COMPONENTS. THIS INCLUDES A NEW DISTRIBUTOR HAVING IMPROVED GROUNDING. ALL VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A CAPACITOR TO REDUCE THE HIGH VOLTAGE PEAKS. THIS WILL BE DONE AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP83002 · Ignition Problems, Fluid Leaks And Stall
Opened Nov 3, 1982 · Closed Mar 10, 1983
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
IGNITION PROBLEMS, FLUID LEAKS AND STALLING