- The problem
- The steering gear mounting bracket welds may crack under certain steering load conditions.
- The risk
- Steering control would be adversely affected withpotential for loss of truck control and an accident.
- The fix
- Replace steering gear mounting bracket with a redesigned bracket.
Vehicle safety record
1981 Freightliner Coe Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1981 Freightliner Coe have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in July 1989 for the gear box (other than rack and pinion).
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Coe year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1981 Freightliner Coe recalls 4
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
- Corrosion of the grabhandle at its mounting surface may lead to cracking or loss of strength.
- The risk
- Failure of grabhandle during use could result inpersonal injury.
- The fix
- Replace grabhandle and its fastener with improved grabhandle; also, install gasket between the handle and air starter reservoir.
- The problem
- Cracks can develop in the oil filter mounting brackets near the bolts that attach the brackets to the frame side member. Consequence of defect: if cracks progress to the point of failure, the filter assembly could fall out and possibly be struck by other vehicles creating a potential for an accident.
- The fix
- Brackets will be replaced with improved design brackets.
- The problem
- Some drag link parts can separate from the assembly which connects steering gear pitman arm to the front axle steering arm.
- The fix
- Immediate replacement of defective drag links with an improved version, without cost to the owner.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1981 Freightliner Coe 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.
Freightliner Coe: every year compared
All Coe years1981 Freightliner Coe vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 Freightliner Coe | 0 | 4 | C | |
| 1981 Freightliner Freightliner | 1 | 9 | D | 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 Freightliner Coe
Does the 1981 Freightliner Coe have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1981 Freightliner Coe: gear box (other than rack and pinion) (July 1989); body (June 1989); engine (June 1985); connection (December 1984). 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 Freightliner Coe had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1981 Freightliner Coe a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Freightliner Coe 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.
What should I do if my 1981 Freightliner Coe 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