1981 · Recall Year

Vehicle Recalls Reported in 1981

197 NHTSA-tracked safety recalls reported in 1981, spanning 81 manufacturers. Sourced daily from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

197
1981 Recalls
81
Manufacturers
Ford
Top Manufacturer
19 recalls
Browse 1981

Manufacturers with recalls in 1981

Sorted by recall volume. Click any manufacturer to see every 1981 recall they issued.

1981 Recall FAQ

How many vehicle recalls were reported in 1981?

NHTSA tracked 197 safety recalls reported in 1981, spanning 81 manufacturers. The most active manufacturers were Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Llc, Chrysler (fca Us, Llc).

What were the top manufacturers issuing recalls in 1981?

Ford Motor Company (19 recalls), General Motors, Llc (15 recalls), Chrysler (fca Us, Llc) (12 recalls), Mack Trucks, Inc. (10 recalls), Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. (6 recalls), Freightliner Llc (6 recalls).

Are 1981 recalls still active?

Yes. There is no expiration on most safety recalls in the United States. Even older recalls remain eligible for free repair from authorized dealers regardless of how long ago they were issued or when you bought the vehicle.

Where does this data come from?

All recall records are sourced from the U.S. Department of Transportation's public NHTSA dataset, refreshed daily. Last update: 2026-05-20.