MYRModel Year Report

1981 Ford E150

○ Not enough data
1981 Ford E150
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:43:57.210Z

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1

Too few to rank

Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1981

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 3 complaints 1984 1985: 3 complaints 1986: 9 complaints 1987: 17 complaints 1987 1988: 14 complaints 1989: 30 complaints 1990: 15 complaints 1990 1997: 0 complaints 1998: 0 complaints 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 0 complaints 2004: 0 complaints 2006: 1 complaint 2006 2007: 0 complaints 2008: 0 complaints 2009: 0 complaints 2009 2010: 0 complaints 2011: 0 complaints 2012: 0 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1985 1986: 9 complaints 1987: 17 complaints 1987 1988: 14 complaints 1989: 30 complaints 1989 1990: 15 complaints 1997: 0 complaints 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 0 complaints 2004: 0 complaints 2004 2006: 1 complaint 2007: 0 complaints 2007 2008: 0 complaints 2009: 0 complaints 2009 2010: 0 complaints 2011: 0 complaints 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2013: 0 complaints 2013
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1984 1985: 3 complaints 1985 1986: 9 complaints 1986 1987: 17 complaints 1987 1988: 14 complaints 1988 1989: 30 complaints 1989 1990: 15 complaints 1990 1997: 0 complaints 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 0 complaints 1999 2000: 0 complaints 2000 2004: 0 complaints 2004 2006: 1 complaint 2006 2007: 0 complaints 2007 2008: 0 complaints 2008 2009: 0 complaints 2009 2010: 0 complaints 2010 2011: 0 complaints 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints 2013

1981: 1 complaint

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19823
19831
19843
19853
19869
198717
198814
198930
199015
19970
19980
19990
20000
20040
20061
20070
20080
20090
20100
20110
20120
20130

Known problem areas

Only 1 complaint on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Electrical system

1 of 1 total report mentions: electrical system, most commonly citing switch.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Electrical short in the ignition switch, causing the vehicle to catch on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-05-02

Safety timeline

1 recall · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1986-11-04Engineering analysisClosed 1987-04-29 Filler neck spurt
  2. R
    1990-08-23Seat belts90V137000 No summary on file.

    Remedy: Install proper mounting hardware and seat belts.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1981 Ford E150 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 1 report on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90V137000 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 1981 Ford E150 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 Ford E150?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1981 Ford E150 have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

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