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1981 Chevrolet MalibuProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3 owner complaints about the 1981 Chevrolet Malibu, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. 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 problem2Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 23, 2001. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1981 Chevrolet Malibu 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
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Fuel system, gasoline10

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

2 recalls

1981 Chevrolet Malibu 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 Malibu 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 Malibu median. How we score

'73'74'75'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'86'89'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. BRAKE BACKING PLATEEA86006 · closed Nov 28, 1988
    No recall
In owners' words

What Malibu owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR; PUMPED PEDAL, PEDAL WOULD NOT COME UP; TURNED OFF IGNITION; COASTED TO A STOP. TT
Complaint 976959 · Dec 26, 1995
MAJOR REAR BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO BACKING PLATE CORROSION. DUE TO AGE OF CAR REPAIRS WERE NOT COMPLETED AT A DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SINCE FOUND GM SERVICE CAMPAIGNS 5A09, 6A16A,6A16 THAT STATE THIS IS A COVERED REPAIR REGARDLESS OF VECHICLE AGE OR MILEAGE. I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE (CASE…
Complaint 755981 · Dec 23, 2001

Own a 1981 Malibu?

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