VehicleVerdict

1981 Ford Mustang problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1981 Ford Mustang — 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.

0

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

4

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1981 compare to other Mustang years?

Mustang NHTSA complaints by model year, 1981 highlighted893 complaints1965: 6 complaints1966: 5 complaints1967: 3 complaints1968: 1 complaints1969: 3 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 2 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 10 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 8 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 5 complaints1984: 35 complaints1985: 22 complaints1986: 32 complaints1987: 44 complaints1988: 132 complaints1989: 127 complaints1990: 119 complaints1991: 98 complaints1992: 80 complaints1993: 132 complaints1994: 496 complaints1995: 829 complaints1996: 329 complaints1997: 231 complaints1998: 297 complaints1999: 281 complaints2000: 427 complaints2001: 219 complaints2002: 159 complaints2003: 177 complaints2004: 127 complaints2005: 893 complaints2006: 506 complaints2007: 728 complaints2008: 384 complaints2009: 215 complaints2010: 296 complaints2011: 583 complaints2012: 573 complaints2013: 325 complaints2014: 424 complaints2015: 593 complaints2016: 491 complaints2017: 337 complaints2018: 234 complaints2019: 187 complaints2020: 174 complaints2021: 67 complaints2022: 73 complaints2023: 28 complaints2024: 115 complaints2025: 15 complaints2026: 6 complaints
Mustang NHTSA complaints by model year, 1981 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mustang years to avoid →

Does the 1981 Ford Mustang have recalls?

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

07E064000Fuel SystemAugust 27, 2007 · 34,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.

Consequence

A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.

81V102000SeatsSeptember 8, 1981 · 6,500 units

Defect

THE HOUSING PLATES ON THE DRIVER SEAT BACK LATCH RECLINER ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SUBSTANDARD MATERIAL PRODUCTS. THIS TAINTED STEEL WAS USED TO PRODUCE SEATBACK LATCHES FOR BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE SEAT ASSEMBLIES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE DEFECTIVE HOUSING PLATES MAY DISTORT, ALLOWING THE LOCKING TEETH TO DISENGAGE AND TEAR OFF. THIS PERMITS THE SEATBACK TO PIVOT BACKWARDS.

Remedy

UPON INSPECTION, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT LATCH/RECLINER ASSEMBLIES, ON VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE SUSPECT DATE CODES, WILL BE REPLACED.

1981 Ford Mustang — common questions

Is the 1981 Ford Mustang reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1981 Ford Mustang have recalls?

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

Is the 1981 Ford Mustang under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Mustang years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mustang years to avoid are 2005, 1995, 2007, 2015, 2011, 2012, 2006, 1994, 2016, 2000, 2014, 2008, 2017, 1996, 2013, 1998, 2010, 1999, 2018, 1997, 2001, 2009, 2019, 2003, 2020. The cleanest record among Mustang years belongs to 1981.

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.