1981 Chevrolet Chevette
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › Chevette › 1981
These records cover every 1981 Chevrolet Chevette. 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 Chevette. Newest first.
The carburetor fuel plug may come out and fuel could leak from the carburetor.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
The dealer will install a retaining clip on the carburetor inlet plug to prevent it from dislodging, at no charge to owner.
The carburetor fuel inlet housing plug in the side of the carburetor may come out.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
The dealer will install a retaining clip on the carburetor inlet plug to prevent fuel leakage, without charge.
On certain vehicles, the seat belt retractors in the rear seating positions contain first lock positions which will not lock when used by smaller passengers. This fails to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection".
Risk and remedy
Remedy
All owners will be sent a pre-paid postage card that IS to be filled out and sent back. The card will indicate whether the seat belts are functioning properly. If dealer inspects seat belts, the seat belt retractors will be replaced, if necessary, without charge.
Owner complaints
5 complaints2 involved a crash2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Consumer wants any information regarding the sensitivity of the gas tank in the 1981 chevette during crashes. *ts *nm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Timing belt failed.
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Defective seatbelt and brakes, upon hitting the brick house the passenager was ejected into the windshield.
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
The automatic transmission shift lever mechanism IS worn out, causing difficuly shifting into park/ reverse.
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Seat belt failed to restrain passenger in accident caused by brake failure.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Shifter failure
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- Safety belts
Safety belts
- Brake failure
Summary of information from manufacturer:gm maintains that there IS no defect in the design.spatial relationship does not change with application of pedal force.gm believes that their test data demonstrates that pedal, bracket, and firewall are sufficiently stout.gm reportsno field complaints on this alleged defect.…
Summary of information from manufacturer:gm maintains that there IS no defect in the design.spatial relationship does not change with application of pedal force.gm believes that their test data demonstrates that pedal, bracket, and firewall are sufficiently stout.gm reportsno field complaints on this alleged defect. Analysis:this alleged defect was reported in a bendix trade publication. It cited firewall flexing as reducing the pedal free play and preventingthe master cylinder from compensating normally.status:on dec 11,1986, a memo was sent to vrtc requesting testing on a vehicle in order to evaluate the alleged defect.vrtc has purchased a test vehicle and testing has been completed.draft report in review cycle. Proposed action:closed aug 25,1987===
- Brake failure/firewall
Analysis:the complaint has been verified with the vehicle's owner and astate of michigan consumer representative.the bendix report was suppliedby a midas representative, and remains unconfirmed.although no othercomplaints identify this particular condition, there are several reportedincidents of unexplained brake loss…
Analysis:the complaint has been verified with the vehicle's owner and astate of michigan consumer representative.the bendix report was suppliedby a midas representative, and remains unconfirmed.although no othercomplaints identify this particular condition, there are several reportedincidents of unexplained brake loss among the subject vehicles.there areno tsb's or recalls regarding the alleged defect.proposed action:prepare an information request to gm and bendix.
- Crankshaft pulley bolt
Summary: gm admits there has been a problem and has designed a modificationkit intended to prevent pulley bolt failures by keeping the pulley inproper alignment with the crankshaft and thereby reducing the bendingstress on the bolt. Gm does not believe the problem IS safety relatedand will conduct a service…
Summary: gm admits there has been a problem and has designed a modificationkit intended to prevent pulley bolt failures by keeping the pulley inproper alignment with the crankshaft and thereby reducing the bendingstress on the bolt. Gm does not believe the problem IS safety relatedand will conduct a service campaign.analysis:the highest failure rates have occurred on vehicles equippedwith ac and ps which use a triple sheave pulley. The modification kitshould reduce the failure rate on these vehicles.status: gm launched a service campaign in february 1987 applicable to185,000 t body vehicles equipped with triple pulleys. (Product campaign84c27)ea closed 9/4/87===
- Crankshaft pulley bolt breaks
Crankshaft pulley bolt breaks
- Carburetor plug pops out
There is no summary currently available
Every Chevrolet Chevette model year
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