- 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 F250 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1981 Ford F250 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in March 1982 for the carrier / rack.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical F250 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1981 Ford F250 recalls 5
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 owner"s guide may contain an error in the wheel lug nut torque specification chart. Incorrect information could result in improper torque of the lug nuts during wheel replacement. Lug nuts could come loose during vehicle operation.
- The fix
- An adhesive-backed, revised page will be supplied to owners for insertion in the owner"s guide. In addition, dealers will provide torque verification, if one or more wheels have been serviced, at no cost to owners.
- 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
- Certain vehicles may have been assembled without the specified fuel tank shield which prevents direct contact between the fuel tank and driveline components. During a 30 mph frontal barrier impact test, as specified in federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "Fuel system integrity", fuel leakage may occur.
- The fix
- Vehicles will have the existing separate skid plate or fuel tank shield removed (whichever was installed on vehicle). A special combination skid plate/fuel tank shield assembly will be installed in its place free of charge.
- 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
Be the first F250 owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
No complaints about the 1981 Ford F250 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 F250: every year compared
All F250 years1981 Ford F250 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 Ford F250 | 0 | 5 | 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 F250
Does the 1981 Ford F250 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 1981 Ford F250: carrier / rack (March 1982); multi piece (October 1981); structure (May 1981); mounting (February 1981) and more. 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 F250 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1981 Ford F250 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 32 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Ford F250 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 F250 years have the most complaints?
1968 (1), 1970 (1). See every Ford F250 year compared.
What should I do if my 1981 Ford F250 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