1981 Chevrolet Chevette Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 1981 Chevrolet Chevette, and owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 1981 Chevrolet Chevette
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Carburetor system (fuel system)
The carburetor fuel plug may come out and fuel could leak from the carburetor.
Remedy: The dealer will install a retaining clip on the carburetor inlet plug to prevent it from dislodging, at no charge to owner.
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Carburetor system (fuel system)
The carburetor fuel inlet housing plug in the side of the carburetor may come out.
Remedy: The dealer will install a retaining clip on the carburetor inlet plug to prevent fuel leakage, without charge.
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Retractor (seat belts)
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".
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…
5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1981 Chevrolet Chevette have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA; 2 describe a crash. Reports cite 2 injuries and 0 deaths. Complaints peaked in 1997 with 3 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Consumer wants any information regarding the sensitivity of the gas tank in the 1981 chevette during crashes. *ts *nm”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 9, 2005 · Fuel system, gasoline
“The automatic transmission shift lever mechanism is worn out, causing difficuly shifting into park/ reverse.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 9, 1997 · Power train
Compare Chevrolet Chevette model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Chevette model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 Chevrolet Chevette | 4 | 0 |
| 1977 Chevrolet Chevette | 1 | 0 |
| 1980 Chevrolet Chevette | 3 | 1 |
| 1981 Chevrolet Chevette | 3 | 5 |
| 1982 Chevrolet Chevette | 2 | 3 |
| 1983 Chevrolet Chevette | 1 | 1 |
| 1984 Chevrolet Chevette | 2 | 0 |
| 1985 Chevrolet Chevette | 1 | 1 |
| 1986 Chevrolet Chevette | 3 | 3 |
Checking a specific 1981 Chevrolet Chevette
How do I know if my 1981 Chevrolet Chevette has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1981 Chevrolet Chevette; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 81V060000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Chevrolet models
- Malibu19,364 complaints
- Silverado 150018,029 complaints
- Impala10,434 complaints
- Tahoe10,032 complaints
- Equinox9,161 complaints
- Silverado8,799 complaints
- Blazer8,192 complaints
- Suburban8,164 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.