Large Recall NHTSA · 81V091000 Reported July 20, 1981

Structure

Fiat Motors Of N.a., Inc. · N/A · 140,000 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
81V091000
Manufacturer Campaign
NR (Not Reported)
Manufacturer
Fiat Motors Of N.a., Inc.
Component
N/A
Vehicles Affected
140,000
Recall Type
Vehicle
Report Received
July 20, 1981

Defect Summary

Vehicles may be susceptable to heavy rusting in structurally significant areas of the undercarriage. This condition may impair the attachment to the body of: 1) the front upper control arms, 2) the front cross member to which the front lower control arms are attached, 3) the steering box and idler arm mounting and 4) the rear trailing arm which is attached to the internal cross member below the rear seat and to the rear axle. Undercarriage corrosion is accelerated by exposure to de-icing salts.

Corrective Action

All owners of 1970-71 vehicles will be sent letters advising them of the problem. Due to the age of these vehicles owners are not entitled to free inspection or remedy. 1972-74 vehicles will be inspected within 120 days of owner notification. If damage from rusting is determined to impair attachments in any of the four critical underbody locations, dealer will offer to repurchase the vehicle.

What you should do

  1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Contact an authorized Fiat Motors Of N.a., Inc. dealer and reference recall ID 81V091000 or campaign NR (Not Reported).
  3. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.
View Official NHTSA Notice →
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FAQ: Recall 81V091000

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 81V091000?

NHTSA recall 81V091000 was issued by Fiat Motors Of N.a., Inc. on July 20, 1981. It addresses: Structure. The recall affects approximately 140,000 vehicles, with the defect involving the N/A component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Fiat Motors Of N.a., Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 81V091000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.

Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Where does the data on this page come from?

All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.