RoadVitals

1981 Chevrolet Citation

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.
3
Latest Jul 15, 2000
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.
2
Latest Mar 24, 1981
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.
4
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1981 Chevrolet Citation, most frequently naming the engine, steering and tires & wheels categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 4 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

  • Engine222.2%
  • Steering222.2%
  • Tires & wheels111.1%
  • Transmission111.1%
  • Visibility111.1%
  • Suspension111.1%
  • Electrical111.1%

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

2 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
81V038000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Mar 24, 1981
105,130 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 remedy: A NEW GROUND CABLE WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
80V129000

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Oct 8, 1980
25,463 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HOSES AND INLET PIPE AND ADD A CLIP AT NO 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.

EA87006ClosedEngineering Analysis

POWER ST. ASSIST

Opened Dec 16, 1986
Closed Sep 19, 1988

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.======

STEERING
DP85026ClosedDefect Petition

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

Opened Jul 16, 1985
Closed Aug 13, 1985

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DP83008ClosedDefect Petition

LOCKED POWER STEERING SYSTEM

Opened Mar 23, 1983
Closed Jul 20, 1983

LOCKED POWER STEERING SYSTEM

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DP82010ClosedDefect Petition

TRANS. LOCKUPS AND TRANS. HARD SHIFTING

Opened May 20, 1982
Closed Oct 18, 1982

TRANS. LOCKUPS AND TRANS. HARD SHIFTING

POWER TRAIN

Recent owner complaints

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

Visibility
Filed Jul 15, 2000

WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH ONLY WORKS WHEN TURNED BY USING WASHER DIRECTION INSTEAD OF TURNING ON VIEW ON SWITCH.*AK

NHTSA ID
725497
EngineSteering
Filed Oct 13, 1998

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

NHTSA ID
828856
Incident
Oct 15, 1996
ElectricalEngineSteering+3 more
Filed Nov 15, 1996

FLYWHEEL FAILED.

NHTSA ID
511368
Incident
Sep 15, 1996

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Citation by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1988100—
1985011—
1984722—
1983012—
1982031—
1981Viewing324—
1980197—
1979001—

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.