VehicleVerdict

1981 Chevrolet Camaro problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1981 Chevrolet Camaro — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1981 compare to other Camaro years?

Camaro NHTSA complaints by model year, 1981 highlighted394 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 3 complaints1969: 1 complaints1971: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 6 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 5 complaints1983: 25 complaints1984: 40 complaints1985: 64 complaints1986: 38 complaints1987: 29 complaints1988: 20 complaints1989: 34 complaints1990: 32 complaints1991: 110 complaints1992: 104 complaints1993: 45 complaints1994: 182 complaints1995: 305 complaints1996: 159 complaints1997: 88 complaints1998: 224 complaints1999: 133 complaints2000: 119 complaints2001: 60 complaints2002: 100 complaints2010: 394 complaints2011: 259 complaints2012: 156 complaints2013: 251 complaints2014: 287 complaints2015: 305 complaints2016: 196 complaints2017: 256 complaints2018: 110 complaints2019: 69 complaints2020: 46 complaints2021: 21 complaints2022: 16 complaints2023: 24 complaints2024: 4 complaints
Camaro NHTSA complaints by model year, 1981 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Camaro years to avoid →

What are the most common 1981 Chevrolet Camaro problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels1100%

Does the 1981 Chevrolet Camaro have recalls?

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

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

81V060000Seat BeltsMay 19, 1981 · 55,238 units

Defect

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 WILL BE REPLACED, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The contact owns a 1981 Chevrolet Camaro equipped with BF Goodrich Tires, Tire Line: Radial T/A, Tire Size: 235/60/R15, DOT Number: K4VENX510421. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, it was discovered that the rear passenger's side tire was flat. Upon inspection, it was discovered that…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 29, 2023

1981 Chevrolet Camaro — common questions

Is the 1981 Chevrolet Camaro reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1981 Chevrolet Camaro have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1981 Chevrolet Camaro. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1981 Chevrolet Camaro under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Camaro years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Camaro years to avoid are 2010, 2015, 1995, 2014, 2011, 2017, 2013, 1998, 2016, 1994, 1996, 2012, 1999, 2000, 1991, 2018, 1992, 2002, 1997, 2019, 1985, 2001. The cleanest record among Camaro years belongs to 1980.

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.