RecallMyCar

1981 Freightliner Coe Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 1981 Freightliner Coe. Check your own VIN below.

4
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

4 safety recalls for the 1981 Freightliner Coe

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

  1. Gear box (other than rack and pinion) (steering)

    NHTSA 89V124000 Reported 241 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORP.

    The steering gear mounting bracket welds may crack under certain steering load conditions.

    Remedy: Replace steering gear mounting bracket with a redesigned bracket.

  2. Body (structure)

    NHTSA 89V090000 Reported 3,219 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORP.

    Corrosion of the grabhandle at its mounting surface may lead to cracking or loss of strength.

    Remedy: Replace grabhandle and its fastener with improved grabhandle; also, install gasket between the handle and air starter reservoir.

  3. Engine (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 85V076000 Reported 354 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORP.

    Cracks can develop in the oil filter mounting brackets near the bolts that attach the brackets to the frame side member. Consequence of defect: if cracks progress to the point of failure, the filter assembly could fall out and possibly be struck by other vehicles creating a potential for an accident.

    Remedy: Brackets will be replaced with improved design brackets.

  4. Connection (steering)

    NHTSA 84V161000 Reported 10,938 vehicles potentially affected FREIGHTLINER CORP.

    Some drag link parts can separate from the assembly which connects steering gear pitman arm to the front axle steering arm.

    Remedy: Immediate replacement of defective drag links with an improved version, without cost to the owner.

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1981 Freightliner Coe. 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 Freightliner Coe model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Freightliner Coe model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1969 Freightliner Coe10
1970 Freightliner Coe10
1971 Freightliner Coe10
1972 Freightliner Coe10
1973 Freightliner Coe10
1976 Freightliner Coe10
1977 Freightliner Coe10
1978 Freightliner Coe20
1979 Freightliner Coe40
1980 Freightliner Coe40
1981 Freightliner Coe40
1982 Freightliner Coe60
1983 Freightliner Coe60
1984 Freightliner Coe50
1985 Freightliner Coe60
1986 Freightliner Coe50
1987 Freightliner Coe40
1988 Freightliner Coe20
1989 Freightliner Coe10

Checking a specific 1981 Freightliner Coe

How do I know if my 1981 Freightliner Coe 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 Freightliner Coe; 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 Freightliner dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 84V161000).

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 Freightliner 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.