Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1981 Ford F-800 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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.
Defect
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.
Defect
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.
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1981 Ford F-800. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.