Worst Vehicles of 1981
The most problematic 1981 model year vehicles ranked by NHTSA complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.
How scoring works: Each complaint counts as 1 point, each recall as 5 points, and each federal investigation as 10 points. Click any vehicle to view its full reliability profile.
#VehicleComplaintsRecallsInvest.TSBsScore
1#11981 Mercury Lynx
0 complaints10 recalls6 invest.1 TSBs
01061110
#21981 Ford Escort
2 complaints10 recalls4 invest.6 TSBs
2104692
#31981 Chevrolet Chevette
6 complaints3 recalls7 invest.
637091
#41981 Plymouth Reliant
3 complaints4 recalls4 invest.
344063
#51981 Dodge Aries
2 complaints4 recalls4 invest.1 TSBs
244162
#61981 Chevrolet Citation
10 complaints2 recalls4 invest.
1024060
#71981 Pontiac T1000
0 complaints2 recalls5 invest.
025060
#81981 Freightliner Freightliner
1 complaint9 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
191156
#91981 Ford Mustang
0 complaints2 recalls4 invest.3 TSBs
024350
#101981 Buick Skylark
5 complaints2 recalls3 invest.
523045
#111981 Mercury Capri
1 complaint2 recalls3 invest.
123041
#121981 American Motors Eagle
0 complaints4 recalls2 invest.
042040
#131981 Chevrolet C10
5 complaints3 recalls2 invest.
532040
#141981 Audi 5000
1 complaint3 recalls2 invest.
132036
#151981 Buick Century
1 complaint3 recalls2 invest.
132036
#161981 Renault 18I
0 complaints5 recalls1 invest.
051035
#171981 Peterbilt Peterbilt
0 complaints5 recalls1 invest.
051035
#181981 International Harvester S1700
0 complaints7 recalls
070035
#191981 International Harvester S1900
0 complaints7 recalls
070035
#201981 Ford F-350
3 complaints4 recalls1 invest.9 TSBs
341933
#211981 Oldsmobile Omega
2 complaints2 recalls2 invest.
222032
#221981 Chevrolet C20
1 complaint2 recalls2 invest.
122031
#231981 Volkswagen Rabbit
1 complaint4 recalls1 invest.
141031
#241981 Jeep Cherokee
1 complaint2 recalls2 invest.
122031
#251981 Prevost Prestige
0 complaints6 recalls
060030
#261981 Kenworth Kenworth
0 complaints2 recalls2 invest.
022030
#271981 Thomas Thomas
0 complaints6 recalls1 TSBs
060130
#281981 Pontiac Phoenix
0 complaints2 recalls2 invest.
022030
#291981 International Harvester S1800
0 complaints6 recalls
060030
#301981 Ford E-350
0 complaints2 recalls2 invest.2 TSBs
022230
#311981 Oldsmobile Cutlass
8 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
821028
#321981 Chevrolet Malibu
3 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
331028
#331981 Chevrolet K30
1 complaint1 recall2 invest.
112026
#341981 Ford F-250
1 complaint5 recalls6 TSBs
150626
#351981 Mack CF
0 complaints5 recalls22 TSBs
0502225
#361981 Western RWS Series
0 complaints5 recalls
050025
#371981 Ford F600
0 complaints5 recalls
050025
#381981 Jeep Wagoneer
0 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
031025
#391981 Transportation MC9
0 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
031025
#401981 American Motors Concord
0 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
031025
#411981 Chevrolet K20
0 complaints1 recall2 invest.
012025
#421981 Toyota Cressida
0 complaints1 recall2 invest.15 TSBs
0121525
#431981 Audi 4000
0 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
031025
#441981 Western RWL Series
0 complaints5 recalls
050025
#451981 Buick Regal
0 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
031025
#461981 Ford LTD
0 complaints5 recalls1 TSBs
050125
#471981 Chevrolet C30
0 complaints1 recall2 invest.
012025
#481981 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck
4 complaints0 recalls2 invest.
402024
#491981 Volkswagen Vanagon
2 complaints2 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
221122
#501981 Volvo Volvo
2 complaints0 recalls2 invest.3 TSBs
202322
Shopping for a 1981 model?
The average unexpected repair costs $500–$2,000. A BumperScan report tells you exactly what to watch for — before you buy.
Check Your CarBased on 2.1M+ owner complaints
Data sourced from NHTSA complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.