- The problem
- An item worn by a child, such as a long drawstring, sash, or backpack/bookbag accessory, can become caught in the area between the service door and the door control rod attaching bracket.
- The risk
- If an item worn by a child were to catch on this area, and the driver were to close the door and put the vehicle in motion, this can result in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- A molded cover will be installed between the manually operated outward opening entrance door and the door control rod attaching bracket which will eliminate the opening that could allow an item of a child's clothing to become snagged.
Vehicle safety record
1981 Thomas MVP Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1981 Thomas MVP have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in July 1996 for the body.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical MVP year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1981 Thomas MVP 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 Thomas MVP 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.
Thomas MVP: every year compared
All MVP yearsQuestions about the 1981 Thomas MVP
Does the 1981 Thomas MVP have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1981 Thomas MVP: body (July 1996). 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 Thomas MVP had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1981 Thomas MVP a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Thomas MVP 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 Thomas MVP 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