BumperScan
Powered byNHTSA|EPA|Community Reports|Updated
Your report: 3 of 4 steps complete75%
Car identifiedData collectedBasic analysisFull AI analysis

Free Preview

#BS-1981-FORF35-2896

1981 Ford F-350Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Based on reports from 3 owners and 4 recalls for this exact model.

Data updated ·checked October 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026

Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Recalls
4
TSBs
9
🟢

Preliminary Verdict

Proceed with Caution

Based on 3 complaints, 0 crashes, 2 fires, and 4 recalls.

See full verdict with buy/skip conditions

Preview: What's in your full report

Each card shows a real sample from your report — unlock all 10 sections from $2.00

Mechanic Inspection Checklist

!Check the Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasolineHIGH

2 owners reported engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline issues.

!Inspect the Exterior Lighting:headlightsMED
Look for symptoms of wear and premature failure
+ 3 more items in full checklistUnlock

30,000-Mile Cost Projection

Best Case

$X,XXX

Most Likely

$X,XXX

Worst Case

$X,XXX

Top cost driver: Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline (2 reports).

Includes fuel costs, common repairs, and recall riskUnlock

Also in your report

Owner Intelligence

AI-synthesized themes from real complaints

Buyer Lot Checklist

Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers

Negotiation Talking Points

Data-backed dollar deductions

Buy / Skip Verdict

Final recommendation with conditions

10 sections total in the full reportUnlock all

Where the complaints fall

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline2 (67%)
Exterior Lighting:headlights1 (33%)

1981 Ford F-350: Known Issues & Problem Areas

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline Issues

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline complaints account for 67% of all reports filed for the 1981 Ford F-350, with 2 owners filing complaints with NHTSA.

Exterior Lighting:headlights Issues

Exterior Lighting:headlights complaints account for 33% of all reports filed for the 1981 Ford F-350, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to exterior lighting:headlights-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.

Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own

Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict

Get Report — From $2.00

Recall History (4 recalls)

80V145000Dec 1980

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

DURING A CHANGE IN ASSEMBLY PROCEDURES, CERTAIN OF THE MID-SHIP FUEL TANK STRAPS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR MISLOCATED. AS A RESULT, THEY FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY". IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, EXCESSIVE FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.

81V023000Apr 1981

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITHOUT THE SPECIFIED FUEL TANK SHIELD WHICH PREVENTS DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND DRIVELINE COMPONENTS. DURING A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST, AS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY", FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR.

81V035000Mar 1981

WHEELS:RIM

CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE DISC PORTION OF THE WHEEL WELDED TO THE RIM DURING MANUFACTURE. CONSEQUENTLY, THE WHEEL COULD BE SUBJECT TO SUDDEN SEPARATION OF THE RIM AND TIRE FROM THE WHEEL DISC.

82V024000May 1982

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

THE REINFORCEMENT FOR THE IN-BOX SPARE TIRE CARRIER MAY HAVE BEEN ATTACHED USING INCORRECT HEX HEAD BOLTS. IF THE CARRIER AND REINFORCEMENT ATTACHING BOLTS ARE INCORRECT, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THE TIRE SIDEWALL TO BE DAMAGED OR WEAKENED BY EXTENDED CONTACT WITH THE SHARP EDGES OF THE BOLT HEADS.

Recall severity analysis & seller scripts

The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.

Unlock

NHTSA Defect Investigations (1)

All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.

C85010ClosedOpened Sep 1985 · closed Aug 1988

DUAL REAR WHEEL RETENTION

SUSPENSION

The worst model year for the Ford F-350 is the 2008 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.

About this data

NHTSA Complaints

Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 3 records for this vehicle.

NHTSA Recalls

Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 4 recalls found for this vehicle.

Repair Cost Data

Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.

Last updated (checked October 30, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026.

Other Ford F-350 Model Years

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972196919681967
View all Ford F-350 years →

1981 Ford F-350: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common problem with the 1981 Ford F-350?
The most commonly reported issue with the 1981 Ford F-350 is related to the engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, with 2 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Is the 1981 Ford F-350 reliable?
The 1981 Ford F-350 has 3 complaints, 0 crash reports, and 2 fire reports filed with NHTSA. The full report analyzes whether these numbers indicate real risk or are proportional to the vehicle’s popularity.
How much does it cost to fix 1981 Ford F-350 problems?
Repair costs vary by issue. The full BumperScan report includes detailed repair cost estimates (low/median/high) for every major issue, plus a 30,000-mile total cost of ownership projection.
Does the 1981 Ford F-350 have any recalls?
Yes, the 1981 Ford F-350 has 4 recalls on record. The full report includes recall severity analysis and scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
What mileage do Ford F-350 problems start?
Mileage data is limited for this vehicle. The full report analyzes available data to identify failure patterns by mileage range.
When was the 1981 Ford F-350 data last updated?
BumperScan last checked this vehicle against NHTSA on October 30, 2026, covering owner complaints received through October 28, 2026 plus the latest recalls, investigations and technical service bulletins. Its numbers last changed on October 4, 2026.
What’s in the full report?
10 sections of AI analysis: severity-ranked issues, component scores (0-100), 30K-mile cost projection, failure timeline by mileage, recall details with seller scripts, owner sentiment analysis, mechanic checklist, buyer lot checklist, negotiation ammo with dollar figures, and a buy/skip verdict.
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
NHTSA gives you raw complaint text. BumperScan cross-references 2.1M+ complaints with community repair cost data, EPA fuel data, and recall records — then uses AI to synthesize it into actionable advice with dollar figures.
How is this different from Carfax?
Carfax is VIN-specific history ($45/report). BumperScan is model-level reliability intelligence — what problems this car is known for, what they cost, and whether you should buy it. Complementary, not competing.
What if the report isn’t useful?
100% money-back guarantee. If the report doesn’t help you make a more informed decision, we’ll refund you — no questions asked.
RaccoonEagleRoverCat

Get the Full 1981 Ford F-350 Report

10 sections of AI analysis based on 3 owner reports. Know before you buy.

Get Full Report — From $2.00Money-back guarantee
Instant delivery|One-time purchase|No hidden fees