NHTSA safety recall
Recall 81V091000: STRUCTURE
FIAT MOTORS OF N.A., INC. · Reported to NHTSA Jul 20, 1981
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.govWhat this recall covers
NHTSA's campaign record, quoted as published
The defect
VEHICLES MAY BE SUSCEPTABLE TO HEAVY RUSTING IN STRUCTURALLY SIGNIFICANT AREAS OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THIS CONDITION MAY IMPAIR THE ATTACHMENT TO THE BODY OF: 1) THE FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARMS, 2) THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER TO WHICH THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE ATTACHED, 3) THE STEERING BOX AND IDLER ARM MOUNTING AND 4) THE REAR TRAILING ARM WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE INTERNAL CROSS MEMBER BELOW THE REAR SEAT AND TO THE REAR AXLE. UNDERCARRIAGE CORROSION IS ACCELERATED BY EXPOSURE TO DE-ICING SALTS.
The remedy
ALL OWNERS OF 1970-71 VEHICLES WILL BE SENT LETTERS ADVISING THEM OF THE PROBLEM. DUE TO THE AGE OF THESE VEHICLES OWNERS ARE NOT ENTITLED TO FREE INSPECTION OR REMEDY. 1972-74 VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED WITHIN 120 DAYS OF OWNER NOTIFICATION. IF DAMAGE FROM RUSTING IS DETERMINED TO IMPAIR ATTACHMENTS IN ANY OF THE FOUR CRITICAL UNDERBODY LOCATIONS, DEALER WILL OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE.
Notes
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: STRUCTURE; FRAME CORROSION.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE CORROSION WEAKENS THE METAL AND MAY RESULT INSEPARATION OF CRITICAL STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, POSSIBLY CAUSINGLOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: IMPENDING SEPARATION OF THESE COMPONENTS COULD BE INDICATED BY UNUSUALNOISE, TIRE WEAR, VIBRATION, OR STEERING WHEEL PLAY.
A 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.
Campaign details
Identifiers and dates as filed with NHTSA
- Manufacturer
- FIAT MOTORS OF N.A., INC.
- Manufacturer's campaign number
- Not recorded
- NHTSA campaign number
- 81V091000
- Units potentially affected
- 140,000
- Report received
- Jul 20, 1981
- Production range
- Not recorded
- Campaign type
- Vehicle
- Federal safety standard (FMVSS)
- Not recorded
Vehicles covered
5 model years across 1 model
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.