VehicleVerdict

1981 American Motors Eagle problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1981 American Motors Eagle — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1981 compare to other Eagle years?

Eagle NHTSA complaints by model year, 1981 highlighted2 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 2 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 2 complaints1987: 1 complaints1988: 0 complaints
Eagle NHTSA complaints by model year, 1981 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Eagle years to avoid →

Does the 1981 American Motors Eagle have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E021000Fuel SystemApril 30, 2009 · 2,790 units

Defect

FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION IS RECALLING 2,790 MECHANICAL FUEL PUMPS, P/NO. M6737 SOLD UNDER CARTER AND NAPA BRANDS AND P/NO. 2M6737 SOLD UNDER ACCU-FLOW AND TRU-FLOW BRANDS SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2008 AND MARCH 2009 FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM ROD IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED PUMP DIAPHRAGM RODS MAY CAUSE THE PUMP TO PRODUCE EXCESS PRESSURE.

Consequence

EXCESS FUEL PUMP PRESSURE COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 12, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

81V081000Speed ControlJuly 6, 1981 · 11,162 units

Defect

THE CRUISE COMMAND ACTUATION CHAIN MAY CATCH ON THE THROTTLE LINKAGE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO REMAIN IN A PARTIALLY OPEN POSITION.

Remedy

DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE COMMAND ACTUATION CHAIN ASSEMBLY, AND A SHIELD WILL BE MOUNTED ON THE THROTTLE LINKAGE AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

81V007000TransmissionJanuary 9, 1981 · 505 units

Defect

THE FRONT AXLE HUB SPACER MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED FROM THE FRONT HUB AND BEARING CARRIER ASSEMBLIES. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW EXCESSIVE FRONT WHEEL BEARING MOVEMENT RESULTING IN WHEEL BEARING DAMAGE.

Remedy

DEALER WILL REPLACE FRONT SPACER AND WHEEL BEARING AT NO CHARGE TO OWNERS.

81V016000Seat BeltsJanuary 4, 1981 · 742 units

Defect

THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE INCORRECT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SHOULDER BELT LOCKING MECHANISM MAY NOT FUNCTION UNDER RAPID DECELERATION. UNDER HARD BRAKING APPLICATIONS OR IN A COLLISION, THE SHOULDER PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM MAY FAIL TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER. THERE IS INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO PASSENGERS WHO MAY CONTACT OTHER OBJECTS UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Remedy

SEAT BELTS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND, IF NECESSARY, SEAT BELTS WILL BE EITHER REPLACED OR RELOCATED IN CORRECT POSITION. WORK WILL BE COMPLETED WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNERS.

1981 American Motors Eagle — common questions

Is the 1981 American Motors Eagle reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1981 American Motors Eagle have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1981 American Motors Eagle. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1981 American Motors Eagle under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.