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1981 Chevrolet Monte CarloProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 1981 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Service brakes, hydraulic

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 29, 1998. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1981 Chevrolet Monte Carlo has problems

2 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, hydraulic10
Suspension10

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

1 recall

1981 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 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 Monte Carlo 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 Monte Carlo median. How we score

'70'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'90'91'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'10
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. BRAKE BACKING PLATEEA86006 · closed Nov 28, 1988
    No recall

Own a 1981 Monte Carlo?

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