MYRModel Year Report

1981 Ford Mustang

○ Not enough data
1981 Ford Mustang
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:25:49.485Z

Only 0 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 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Mustang Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1981 highlighted. 1980: 4 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 5 complaints 1984: 18 complaints 1985: 16 complaints 1986: 30 complaints 1986 1987: 38 complaints 1988: 108 complaints 1989: 109 complaints 1990: 85 complaints 1991: 77 complaints 1992: 69 complaints 1992 1993: 101 complaints 1994: 356 complaints 1995: 602 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 176 complaints 1998: 236 complaints 1998 1999: 213 complaints 2000: 311 complaints 2001: 173 complaints 2002: 118 complaints 2003: 143 complaints 2004: 116 complaints 2004 2005: 705 complaints 2006: 422 complaints 2007: 615 complaints 2008: 347 complaints 2009: 181 complaints 2010: 260 complaints 2010 2011: 466 complaints 2012: 469 complaints 2013: 271 complaints 2014: 356 complaints 2015: 434 complaints 2016: 367 complaints 2016 2017: 260 complaints 2018: 184 complaints 2019: 141 complaints 2020: 113 complaints 2021: 55 complaints 2022: 48 complaints 2022 2023: 15 complaints 2024: 70 complaints 2025: 12 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
1981: 0 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19804
19810
19821
19835
198418
198516
198630
198738
1988108
1989109
199085
199177
199269
1993101
1994356
1995602
1996246
1997176
1998236
1999213
2000311
2001173
2002118
2003143
2004116
2005705
2006422
2007615
2008347
2009181
2010260
2011466
2012469
2013271
2014356
2015434
2016367
2017260
2018184
2019141
2020113
202155
202248
202315
202470
202512
20263

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

No complaint components on file for this model year.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19810918 — seats

THE HOUSING PLATES ON THE DRIVER SEAT BACK LATCH RECLINER ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SUBSTANDARD MATERIAL PRODUCTS. THIS TAINTED STEEL WAS USED TO PRODUCE SEATBACK LATCHES FOR BOTH THE RIGHT AN

Remedy: UPON INSPECTION, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT LATCH/RECLINER ASSEMBLIES, ON VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE SUSPECT DATE CODES, WILL BE REPLACED.

Campaign 81V102000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19830323 — EA (closed 19890126)

FRONT SEATBACK FAILURE

I 19850129 — DP (closed 19850227)

FAILURE OF SEAT BACK SECURING BOLTS

I 19850222 — EA (closed 19870414)

FLOOR PAN CRACKS

I 19900502 — EA (closed 19910410)

FLOOR PAN FRACTURE

R 20071015 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHIC

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

Campaign 07E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1981 Ford Mustang — pre-purchase inspection

  • Verify recall 81V102000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E064000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 1987 ▲ 2022

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2007 ■ 1995

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1981 Ford Mustang reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

How many recalls does the 1981 Ford Mustang have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.