RecallMyCar

1981 Ford B600 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 1981 Ford B600. Check your own VIN below.

4
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

4 safety recalls for the 1981 Ford B600

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Cables (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 82V119000 Reported 4,617 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    These vehicles may have been manufactured with an incorrect end clamp on the hand throttle actuating cable. Under certain conditions, pertaining to the clamp-to-throttle cable orientation and distances of the cable to governor shaft, the throttle cable end clamp may interfere with the outboard accelerator.

    Remedy: The dealer will inspect hand throttle clamp for interference and, if necessary, replace these clamps free of charge.

  2. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 81V124000 Reported 7,100 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    The master cylinder to chasis brake tube and hose assemblies may have been moved from their intended position, which could allow chafing against underbody components. Chafing promotes wear of the brake tube and hose assembly and could cause a loss of brake fluid.

    Remedy: Upon inspection brake tube clips will be installed, if necessary, and brake tubes and hose assemblies will be replaced or rerouted.

  3. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 81V090000 Reported 3,700 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    The involved vehicles were assembled with the left front brake tube retaining clip missing. The absence of a retaining clip may allow the brake tube to rub against the shock absorber, causing wear on the tube and, eventually, loss of brake fluid.

    Remedy: Missing brake tube clips will be installed and any chafed brake tubes will be replaced.

  4. Electrical system: wiring

    NHTSA 81V072000 Reported 11,700 vehicles potentially affected FORD MOTOR COMPANY

    The primary circuit connection, which provides primary electrical power to the engine, could deteriorate due to high current draw produced by builder-installed equipment.

    Remedy: The main cab wiring harness electrical connector will be modified to eliminate deterioration at no charge to owner.

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1981 Ford B600. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.

Compare Ford B600 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Ford B600 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1967 Ford B60020
1968 Ford B60030
1969 Ford B60010
1970 Ford B60010
1971 Ford B60030
1972 Ford B60010
1973 Ford B60020
1974 Ford B60020
1975 Ford B60010
1980 Ford B60020
1981 Ford B60040
1982 Ford B60020
1983 Ford B60020
1984 Ford B60010
1987 Ford B60011
1988 Ford B60030
1989 Ford B60022
1990 Ford B60020
1991 Ford B60020
1992 Ford B60030
1993 Ford B60050
1994 Ford B60030
1995 Ford B60020

Checking a specific 1981 Ford B600

How do I know if my 1981 Ford B600 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. 4 campaigns currently list the 1981 Ford B600; 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 Ford dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 81V072000).

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 Ford models

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.