RoadVitals

1981 Chevrolet C10

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Mar 19, 2008
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Oct 24, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1981 Chevrolet C10, most frequently naming the fuel system, brakes and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system240.0%
  • Brakes120.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Visibility120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E088000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The 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.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
81V148000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

Dec 14, 1981
17 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
81V118000

WHEELS:RIM

Oct 5, 1981
253 units potentially affected
The defect: 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".
The remedy: THE SPARE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA92041ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY

Opened Dec 8, 1992
Closed Mar 9, 1995

There is no summary currently available

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
PE88016ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKS

Opened Jan 14, 1988
Closed Mar 31, 1988

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.===

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Mar 19, 2008

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

NHTSA ID
10221792
Incident
Jul 23, 1992
Mileage
150,000 mi
EngineVisibility
Filed Jun 10, 2005

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

NHTSA ID
10122227
Incident
May 26, 2005
Mileage
714 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 12, 1998

POOR DESIGN OF THE LOCATION OF THE GAS TANK.

NHTSA ID
538995
Fuel system
Filed Sep 20, 1996

PURCHASED TRUCK USED, FUEL TANK DOESN'T HAVE A PLATE , THE DOORS DON'T SHUT RIGHT . *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
802735

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet C10 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001012—
2000112—
1999312—
1998160—
1997770—
19961611053.9
19954012157.1
19942015152.1
1993942—
1992941—
1991314—
1990322—
1989522—
1988756—
1987101—
1986722—
1985722—
1984312—
1983312—
1982432—
1981Viewing432—
1980111—
1979412—
1978111—
1977431—
1976322—
1975011—
1974031—
1973011—
1972001—
1971011—
1970011—
1968100—
1967010—
1961100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.