MYRModel Year Report

1981 Chevrolet C10

○ Not enough data
1981 Chevrolet C10
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:52:45.621Z

Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
4

Too few to rank

Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1981

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1980: 1 complaint 1981: 4 complaints 1981 4 1982: 4 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 7 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1986 1987: 1 complaint 1988: 7 complaints 1989: 5 complaints 1989 1990: 3 complaints 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 9 complaints 1992 1993: 9 complaints 1994: 20 complaints 1995: 40 complaints 1995 1996: 16 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 3 complaints 2000: 1 complaint 2001: 0 complaints 2001
1980: 1 complaint 1981: 4 complaints 1981 4 1982: 4 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 3 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1986 1987: 1 complaint 1988: 7 complaints 1988 1989: 5 complaints 1990: 3 complaints 1990 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 9 complaints 1992 1993: 9 complaints 1994: 20 complaints 1994 1995: 40 complaints 1996: 16 complaints 1996 1997: 7 complaints 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 3 complaints 2000: 1 complaint 2000 2001: 0 complaints
1980: 1 complaint 1980 1981: 4 complaints 1981 4 1982: 4 complaints 1982 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 7 complaints 1986 1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 7 complaints 1988 1989: 5 complaints 1989 1990: 3 complaints 1990 1991: 3 complaints 1991 1992: 9 complaints 1992 1993: 9 complaints 1993 1994: 20 complaints 1994 1995: 40 complaints 1995 1996: 16 complaints 1996 1997: 7 complaints 1997 1998: 1 complaint 1998 1999: 3 complaints 1999 2000: 1 complaint 2000 2001: 0 complaints 2001

1981: 4 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19801
19814
19824
19833
19843
19857
19867
19871
19887
19895
19903
19913
19929
19939
199420
199540
199616
19977
19981
19993
20001
20010

Known problem areas

Only 4 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Fuel system, gasoline

2 of 4 total reports mention: fuel system, gasoline, most commonly citing tank assembly.

Show complaint excerpts

Poor design of the location of the gas tank.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-10-20

Purchased truck used, fuel tank doesn't have a plate , the doors don't shut right .

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-09-20

Visibility

1 of 4 total reports mentions: visibility, most commonly citing motor.

Show complaint excerpts

Dt: spent thousands of dollars trying to repair problem. On 03/05 first noticed the problem when the exhaust was sending fumes into the vehicle, and was causing headaches/blurred vision, and so on.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-05-26

Also filed under Engine and engine cooling

Service brakes

1 of 4 total reports mentions: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

Engine and engine cooling

1 of 4 total reports mentions: engine and engine cooling.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1981-10-12Wheels81V118000 The spare wheel is one inch wider than the maximum approved rim width and fails to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120, "Tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than…

    Remedy: The spare wheel assembly will be replaced without charge to owner.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1981-12-17Service brakes, hydraulic81V148000 The hydraulic brake fluid used in certain vehicles may fail to comply with the brake fluid boiling point requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 116, "Motor vehicle brake fluids".…

    Remedy: Suspect hydraulic brake fluid will be bled from the brake system and replaced with GM delco supreme No. 11 or an equivalent, without charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1988-01-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 1988-03-31 Exhaust manifold leaks
  4. I
    1992-12-08Engineering analysisClosed 1995-03-09 Fuel system integrity
  5. R
    2007-11-08Equipment07E088000 Certain honeywell fram racing brand HP4 and HP8 oil filters that were manufactured from May 25, 2006, through September 14, 2007, and sold for use as replacement equipment for vehicles list above.…

    Remedy: Honeywell will replace the affected oil filters free of charge. The recall began during November 2007. Owners can contact fram customer service toll-free at 1-800-890-2075.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1981 Chevrolet C10 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel system, gasoline: 2 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 1 report on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 1 report on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 81V118000 · Wheels
  • Recall 81V148000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 07E088000 · Equipment
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 1981 Chevrolet C10 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1981 Chevrolet C10?
The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1981 Chevrolet C10 have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.