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1981 Ford F-250Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 1981 Ford F-250, most often about the power train. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints11 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Power train

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 27, 1996. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1981 Ford F-250 has problems

1 complaint 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
Power train11

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

5 recalls

1981 Ford F-250 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.

Show 1 more recall

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 Ford.

Best & worst years

1981 vs. every other F-250 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 F-250 median. How we score

'67'68'69'70'72'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What F-250 owners report

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

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, PARKED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY IN PARK, LEFT IDLE POSITION, OPENED THE DOOR, JUMPED OUT OF THE GEAR AND GRABBED AROUND THE VEHICLE AND FLIPPED OUT TRUCK AND THE TRUCK ROLLED BACKWARD, CAUSING FATALITY. *AK
Complaint 801377 · Aug 27, 1996

Own a 1981 F-250?

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