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1981 Chevrolet ChevetteProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 5 owner complaints about the 1981 Chevrolet Chevette, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints54 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Seat belts

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 9, 2005. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1981 Chevrolet Chevette has problems

5 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
Seat belts22
Engine and engine cooling10
Fuel system, gasoline10
Power train10
Service brakes, hydraulic11

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

3 recalls

1981 Chevrolet Chevette 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 Chevette 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 Chevette median. How we score

'76'77'80'81'82'83'84'85'86
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
7 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BREAKSDP85002 · closed Mar 26, 1985
    No recall
  2. SAFETY BELTSDP87009 · closed Feb 10, 1987
    No recall
  3. CARBURETOR PLUG POPS OUTEA83004 · closed Jul 15, 1983
    Led to recall 82V-106
  4. CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLTEA85018 · closed Sep 4, 1987
    No recall
  5. BRAKE FAILUREEA86033 · closed Aug 25, 1987
    No recall
  6. BRAKE FAILURE/FIREWALLPE86057 · closed Sep 26, 1986
    No recall
  7. SHIFTER FAILUREPE88023 · closed Apr 8, 1988
    Led to recall 88V-050

Own a 1981 Chevette?

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