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Vehicle safety record

1981 Chevrolet C10 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 1981 Chevrolet C10 with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system (2) and the brakes (1). It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in October 2007 for the equipment. For comparison, the 1980 has 1 and the 1982 has 4.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical C10 year, for its age

#3 most complained-about 1981 vehicle

Complaints
4
Recalls
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 1981 Chevrolet C10 problems

Share of all 4 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1981 Chevrolet C10 recalls 3

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Equipment

07E088000121,680 vehicles affected

The problem
Certain honeywell fram racing brand hp4 and hp8 oil filters that were manufactured from may 25, 2006, through september 14, 2007, and sold for use as replacement equipment for vehicles list above. The affected filters are marked with a date code a61451 through a72571 sequentially. The date code and part number appear on the filter housing. Fram racing hp4 and hp8 oil filters not bearing a date code in this range are not affected by this recall. The gasket of the oil filter becomes more pliable under high temperatures and pressures.
The risk
This condition may cause inadequate sealing and loss of engine oil, possibly resulting in a fire.
The fix
Honeywell will replace the affected oil filters free of charge. The recall began during november 2007. Owners can contact fram customer service toll-free at 1-800-890-2075.

Service brakes: fluid

81V14800017 vehicles affected

The problem
The hydraulic brake fluid used in certain vehicles may fail to comply with the brake fluid boiling point requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 116, "Motor vehicle brake fluids". Braking efficiency may be reduced and vehicle stopping distance increased, especially when hard or frequent braking raises brake fluid temperature.
The fix
Suspect hydraulic brake fluid will be bled from the brake system and replaced with gm delco supreme no. 11 Or an equivalent, without charge.

Wheels: rim

81V118000253 vehicles affected

The problem
The spare wheel is one inch wider than the maximum approved rim width and fails to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "Tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars".
The fix
The spare wheel assembly will be replaced without charge to owner.

What owners say

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4 complaints about the 1981 Chevrolet C10

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Brakes

1981 Chevy c-10, front brake hoses retainer bracket, crimped too tightly on hose, causing hose to plug, uneven brake pressure, vehicle pulls to right or left. *Tr

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 10221792
Engine & coolingVisibility & wipers

Dt: spent thousands of dollars trying to repair problem. On 03/05 first noticed the problem when the exhaust was sending fumes into the vehicle, and was causing headaches/blurred vision, and so on. The dealership installed an exhaust system from another vehicle. The vehicle was still releasing fumes into cab. *Ak exhaust gases were passing through rubber hoses in the engine compartment. The dealership replaced the vehicle's exhaust manifold with a "caprice" manifold. The engine would hesitate between...

Read the full complaint

the 2nd-3rd gears and idled roughly. The wipers had become inoperative, the oil pressure gauge was reading too low. There was an exhaust leak coming from the left of the manifold. The vehicle would also sputter when being driven on hills. The consumer requested to be charged back 3k dollars to his credit card. *Sc *nm

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · VisibilityNHTSA 10122227
Fuel system

POOR DESIGN OF THE LOCATION OF THE GAS TANK.

Filed Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 538995
Fuel system

Purchased truck used, fuel tank doesn't have a plate , the doors don't shut right . *Ak *jb

Filed Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 802735

Chevrolet C10: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
19857212Electrical systemD
19843101Fuel systemC
19834100SteeringB
19824301Body, doors & structureD
19814300Fuel systemC
19801101Equipment & accessoriesB
19794110Fuel systemC
19781100Transmission & drivetrainA
19774312Fuel systemD
All C10 years

1981 Chevrolet C10 vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 1981 Chevrolet C10

Does the 1981 Chevrolet C10 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1981 Chevrolet C10: equipment (October 2007); fluid (December 1981); rim (October 1981). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 1981 Chevrolet C10?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the fuel system (2), brakes (1), engine & cooling (1).

How many complaints has the 1981 Chevrolet C10 had?

4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 20, 1996 and the latest on March 19, 2008. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1981 Chevrolet C10 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 40 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Chevrolet C10 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Chevrolet C10 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1981 Chevrolet C10 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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