- The problem
- The involved vehicles may have been assembled without the retainer clip for the brake pedal push rod. The absence of this retainer clip could allow the brake pedal to disengage from the master cyclinder push rod.
- The fix
- The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, install the retainer clip on all suspect vehicles without charge.
Vehicle safety record
1981 GMC Suburban Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1981 GMC Suburban have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in November 1980 for the pedals and linkages.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Suburban year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1981 GMC Suburban recalls 1
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
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1981 GMC Suburban 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.
GMC Suburban: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 0 | 1 | B |
1981 GMC Suburban vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 GMC Suburban | 0 | 1 | B | |
| 1981 GMC C Series(light) | 1 | 0 | F | 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 GMC Suburban
Does the 1981 GMC Suburban have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1981 GMC Suburban: pedals and linkages (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 GMC Suburban had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1981 GMC Suburban a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 74 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical GMC Suburban 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 GMC Suburban 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