1981 Dodge Challenger
Only 1 complaint 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 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 0
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
None on file
None on file
Not enough data
Complaints per year
1981: 1 complaint
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 133 |
| 2010 | 299 |
| 2011 | 193 |
| 2012 | 253 |
| 2013 | 179 |
| 2014 | 148 |
| 2015 | 126 |
| 2016 | 78 |
| 2017 | 49 |
| 2018 | 75 |
| 2019 | 59 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 42 |
Known problem areas
Only 1 complaint on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Suspension
2 of 1 total report mention: suspension, most commonly citing stabilizer bar and shock absorber.
Show complaint excerpts
Door speaker wire malfunctioned.
NHTSA ODI report, 1995-11-02
Also filed under Electrical system
Electrical system
1 of 1 total report mentions: electrical system, most commonly citing wiring.
Safety timeline
No recalls on file for this model year.
0 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
Buy-smart checklist
1981 Dodge Challenger — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Suspension: 2 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 1 report on file for this year.
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1981 Dodge Challenger 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 Dodge Challenger?
- The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 200% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1981 Dodge Challenger have?
- No recalls are on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.