- The problem
- The lower control arms, which support the rear wheels, are subject to corrosion if operated in areas where a large amount of road salt is used to aid in snow and ice removal. Consequence of defect: continuous exposure to road salt may cause corrosion failure of the lower control arm affecting vehicle operation; this could result in loss of control and an accident.
- The fix
- Rust proof or replace lower control arms. (Owner notification will begin in may 1986).
Vehicle safety record
1981 Toyota Tercel Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1981 Toyota Tercel have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in March 1986 for the rear.
NHTSA data checked
AFar fewer problems than a typical Tercel year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1981 Toyota Tercel 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 Toyota Tercel 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.
Toyota Tercel: every year compared
All Tercel years1981 Toyota Tercel vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 Toyota Tercel | 0 | 1 | A | |
| 1981 Toyota Pickup | 4 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1981 Toyota Corolla | 3 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1981 Toyota SR | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 1981 Toyota Toyota | 1 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1981 Toyota Corona | 1 | 0 | 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 Toyota Tercel
Does the 1981 Toyota Tercel have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1981 Toyota Tercel: rear (March 1986). 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 Toyota Tercel had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1981 Toyota Tercel a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 96 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical Toyota Tercel 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 Toyota Tercel years have the most complaints?
1995 (54), 1993 (46), 1994 (46). See every Toyota Tercel year compared.
What should I do if my 1981 Toyota Tercel 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