- The problem
- The reinforcement for the in-box spare tire carrier may have been attached using incorrect hex head bolts. If the carrier and reinforcement attaching bolts are incorrect, the potential exists for the tire sidewall to be damaged or weakened by extended contact with the sharp edges of the bolt heads.
- The fix
- Dealer will replace bolts and any damaged spare tires at no cost to owner.
Vehicle safety record
1981 Ford F150 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1981 Ford F150 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in March 1982 for the carrier / rack.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical F150 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1981 Ford F150 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
- The problem
- The involved trucks were manufactured with a certain portion of specified floor pan insulation material (beneath the right front passenger seat) omitted. Because of this omission, a section of the sheet metal floor pan was left exposed over the exhaust system in an area of possible passenger contact.
- The fix
- The dealer will install a revised design floorpan insulator pad at no charge to owner.
- The problem
- During a change in assembly procedures, certain of the mid-ship fuel tank straps may have been improperly installed or mislocated. As a result, they fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "Fuel system integrity". In the event of a collision, excessive fuel spillage may occur.
- The fix
- Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, relocate fuel tank straps without charge to owner.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1981 Ford F150 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Ford F150: every year compared
All F150 years1981 Ford F150 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 Ford F150 | 0 | 3 | D | |
| 1981 Ford Bronco | 2 | 1 | A | Compare |
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.
Questions about the 1981 Ford F150
Does the 1981 Ford F150 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1981 Ford F150: carrier / rack (March 1982); structure (May 1981); mounting (November 1980). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1981 Ford F150 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1981 Ford F150 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 35 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Ford F150 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 Ford F150 years have the most complaints?
1955 (1), 1966 (1), 1968 (1). See every Ford F150 year compared.
What should I do if my 1981 Ford F150 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