Defect
SOME BUSES MAY HAVE MISALIGNMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY AND THE GEAR BOX.
Remedy
REPLACEMENT OF THE LOWER JACKET TUBE BEARING, STEERING MOUNTING BRACKET, AND POSSIBLY THE WHEEL TUBE.
Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1981 Grumman 870 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
SOME BUSES MAY HAVE MISALIGNMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY AND THE GEAR BOX.
Remedy
REPLACEMENT OF THE LOWER JACKET TUBE BEARING, STEERING MOUNTING BRACKET, AND POSSIBLY THE WHEEL TUBE.
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1981 Grumman 870. 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.