Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1981 Renault 18i — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
0
NHTSA complaints
5
Recalls
1
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE WIRING SYSTEM IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED. IF SO, THE WIRES MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH SOME OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.
Remedy
DEALER WILL PERFORM ALL NEEDED RE-ROUTING, SECURING, REPLACING OR REPAIRING OF THE WIRING SYSTEM.
Defect
VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH A RESTRICTED FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM THAT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE ENGINE MAY STOP UNEXPECTEDLY, EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES FUEL IS AVAILABLE.
Remedy
THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK VENT TUBE WILL BE INSPECTED. IF NECESSARY, THE FLEXIBLE HOSES IN THE FUEL TANK VENT, RETURN, AND FUEL FEED SYSTEMS, AND THE RIGID VENT LINE ROLLOVER VALVE AND TWO WAY CHECK VALVE WILL BE REPLACED. THIS WILL BE DONE WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Defect
SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP A FUEL LEAK NEAR THE ENGINE DUE TO A LOOSE FUEL LINE CONNECTION.
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FUEL SYSTEM HOSE CLAMPS, HOSES, AND THE FUEL SUPPLY RAMP AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Defect
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER MAY PROVIDE POWER TO THE IGNITION CIRCUIT WHILE THE KEY IS IN THE OFF POSITION.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL MODIFY THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WIRING AT THE FUSE PANEL AND INSTALL A CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT THE MODIFIED CIRCUIT.
Defect
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATION CHAIN COULD CATCH ON CERTAIN CARBURETOR HARDWARE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE PLATE TO REMAIN IN A PARTIALLY OPEN POSITION.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE PLATE BETWEEN THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATION CHAIN AND THE THROTTLE PLATE, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1981 Renault 18i. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.