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1981 Chevrolet C10Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 4 owner complaints about the 1981 Chevrolet C10, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints40 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Fuel system, gasoline

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 19, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1981 Chevrolet C10 has problems

4 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Fuel system, gasoline20
Engine and engine cooling10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Visibility10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1981 Chevrolet C10 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Best & worst years

1981 vs. every other C10 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the C10 median. How we score

'67'68'70'71'73'74'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1981 Chevrolet C10, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITYEA92041 · closed Mar 9, 1995
    No recall
  2. EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKSPE88016 · closed Mar 31, 1988
    No recall

Own a 1981 C10?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.