1981 Chevrolet Citation
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › Citation › 1981
These records cover every 1981 Chevrolet Citation. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1981 Chevrolet Citation. Newest first.
The engine-to-body ground cable on certain vehicles may have been damaged during manufacture. The cable could eventually break due to the relative motion between the engine and body during vehicle operation.
The involved vehicles may have been assembled with the power steering hose incorrectly routed. The power steering hose may then contact the exhaust manifold, resulting in deterioration and eventual failure of the hose and leakage of power steering fluid onto the exhaust manifold.
Risk and remedy
Remedy
The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the hoses and inlet pipe and add a clip at no charge to owner.
Owner complaints
3 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
Windshield wiper switch only works when turned by using washer direction instead of turning on view on switch.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
When warming up the vehicle and pulling off there IS no power steering . The vehicle loses all power steering when making a left turn. Also, there IS a leak coming from under the engine. Comsumer states that she has to drive very slow when making a left turn, and turning to the right there IS no power steering. Contacted dealer, and there IS nothing that they could do. *ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Power train › Clutch assembly · Steering › Linkages · Suspension › Front · Tires
Steering line failed.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Power st. Assist
Summary of information from the manufacturer:gm has developed a splitring field repair kit and IS extending the warranry on all 1982-84 a,j, and x, body cars and 1985 c,body cars.the warranty applies to carsthat are for 50,000 miles or 5 yrs.it includes reimbursement for previousrepairs.analysis:wearing of the rack…
Summary of information from the manufacturer:gm has developed a splitring field repair kit and IS extending the warranry on all 1982-84 a,j, and x, body cars and 1985 c,body cars.the warranty applies to carsthat are for 50,000 miles or 5 yrs.it includes reimbursement for previousrepairs.analysis:wearing of the rack and pinion housing and low ambient tempcan cause temporary loss of power assist.teflon o rings fail to sealoff internal pressure.status:evaluating the extended warranty offer by gm.======
- Engine compartment fire
Engine compartment fire
- Locked power steering system
Locked power steering system
- Trans. Lockups and trans. Hard shifting
Trans. Lockups and trans. Hard shifting
Every Chevrolet Citation model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.