VehicleVerdict

1981 Toyota Cressida problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1981 Toyota Cressida — 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

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1981 compare to other Cressida years?

Cressida NHTSA complaints by model year, 1981 highlighted15 complaints1979: 1 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 7 complaints1986: 5 complaints1987: 7 complaints1988: 2 complaints1989: 15 complaints1990: 5 complaints1991: 9 complaints1992: 2 complaints
Cressida NHTSA complaints by model year, 1981 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cressida years to avoid →

Does the 1981 Toyota Cressida have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

81V031000Seat BeltsMarch 16, 1981 · 9,171 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE RETRACTOR SPOOL RELEASE WARNING LIGHT AND BUZZER OF THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY ROUTED AT THE TIME OF ASSEMBLY. THIS CAN CAUSE MECHANICAL INTERFERENCE WITH THE DRIVER"S SIDE G-SENSOR LOCKING FUNCTION. CONSEQUENTLY, THE EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR OF THE DRIVER"S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY EVEN THOUGH THE G-SENSOR IS OPERATIONAL. (THE PASSENGER SIDE IS NOT AFFECTED).

Remedy

THE WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REROUTED, IF NECESSARY, AND A CLAMP WILL BE ADDED TO ELIMINATE POSSIBLE FUTURE INTERFERENCE.

1981 Toyota Cressida — common questions

Is the 1981 Toyota Cressida reliable?

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.

Does the 1981 Toyota Cressida have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1981 Toyota Cressida. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1981 Toyota Cressida under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.