1981 Chevrolet C10
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › C10 › 1981
These records cover every 1981 Chevrolet C10. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1981 Chevrolet C10. Newest first.
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. the affected filters are marked with a date code a61451 through a72571 sequentially. the date code and part number appear on the filter housing. fram racing…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition may cause inadequate sealing and loss of engine oil, possibly resulting in a fire.
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.
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". Braking efficiency may be reduced and vehicle stopping distance increased, especially when hard or frequent braking raises brake fluid temperature.
Risk and remedy
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.
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 passenger cars".
Risk and remedy
Remedy
The spare wheel assembly will be replaced without charge to owner.
Owner complaints
4 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Service brakes, hydraulic
1981 chevy C-10, front brake hoses retainer bracket, crimped too tightly on hose, causing hose to plug, uneven brake pressure, vehicle pulls to right or left. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
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. the dealership installed an exhaust system from another vehicle. the vehicle was still releasing…
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. the dealership installed an exhaust system from another vehicle. the vehicle was still releasing fumes into cab. *ak exhaust gases were passing through rubber hoses in the engine compartment. the dealership replaced the vehicle's exhaust manifold with a "caprice" manifold. the engine would hesitate between the 2nd-3rd gears and idled roughly. the wipers had become inoperative, the oil pressure gauge was reading too low. there was an exhaust leak coming from the left of the manifold. the vehicle would also sputter when being driven on hills. the consumer requested to be charged back 3K dollars to his credit card. *sc *nm
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Poor design of the location of the gas tank.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Purchased truck used, fuel tank doesn't have a plate , the doors don't shut right . *Ak *jb
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fuel system integrity
There is no summary currently available
- Exhaust manifold leaks
Summary:some 1981-86 trucks with 7.4L engines and cast iron exhaustmanifolds may experience a condition where an exhaust leak developsbetween the manifold and the cylinder head mating surface causing a noisecondition. Most of the reports (and all of the injuries and themanifold fire) are from the P30 motorhome…
Summary:some 1981-86 trucks with 7.4L engines and cast iron exhaustmanifolds may experience a condition where an exhaust leak developsbetween the manifold and the cylinder head mating surface causing a noisecondition. Most of the reports (and all of the injuries and themanifold fire) are from the P30 motorhome chassis.gm states that a warpedor cracked manifold would permit small amounts of exhaust gas leakagegenerally resulting in noticeable noise and fumes.the exhaust manifoldsare susceptible to extreme heat conditions (such as operating under severeengine/vehicular load conditions and high ambient temperatures).themotorhome application IS particularly susceptible to this alleged defectsince the vehicle IS nearly always at or near the gvwr of the vehicle.thefew number of reports received by odi for a problem which began 8 years agosuggests that the defect either occurs infrequently or IS not perceived asa significant safety hazard.the service bulletin was issued to identifythe high temperature problem and provide a remedy against reoccurrence.===
Every Chevrolet C10 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.