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1981 Chevrolet CitationProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3 owner complaints about the 1981 Chevrolet Citation, most often about the steering. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints30 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem2Steering

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 15, 2000. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1981 Chevrolet Citation has problems

3 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
Steering20
Engine and engine cooling20
Power train10
Electrical system10
Suspension10
Tires10
Visibility10

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

2 recalls

1981 Chevrolet Citation 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 Citation 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 Citation median. How we score

'80'81'82'83'84'88
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. TRANS. LOCKUPS AND TRANS. HARD SHIFTINGDP82010 · closed Oct 18, 1982
    No recall
  2. LOCKED POWER STEERING SYSTEMDP83008 · closed Jul 20, 1983
    No recall
  3. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIREDP85026 · closed Aug 13, 1985
    No recall
  4. POWER ST. ASSISTEA87006 · closed Sep 19, 1988
    No recall
In owners' words

What Citation owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHEN WARMING UP THE VEHICLE AND PULLING OFF THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL POWER STEERING WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. ALSO, THERE IS A LEAK COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. COMSUMER STATES THAT SHE HAS TO DRIVE VERY SLOW WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, AND TURNING TO THE RIGHT THERE IS NO…
Complaint 828856 · Oct 13, 1998

Own a 1981 Citation?

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