1981 Chevrolet Chevette recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS IN THE REAR SEATING POSITIONS CONTAIN FIRST LOCK POSITIONS WHICH WILL NOT LOCK WHEN USED BY SMALLER PASSENGERS. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION".
What could happen:
The fix: ALL OWNERS WILL BE SENT A PRE-PAID POSTAGE CARD THAT IS TO BE FILLED OUT AND SENT BACK. THE CARD WILL INDICATE WHETHER THE SEAT BELTS ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. IF DEALER INSPECTS SEAT BELTS, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WILL BE REPLACED, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1981 CHEVETTE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 81V060000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Summary: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS IN THE REAR SEATING POSITIONS CONTAIN FIRST LOCK POSITIONS WHICH WILL NOT LOCK WHEN USED BY SMALLER PASSENGERS. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION".
Consequence:
Remedy: ALL OWNERS WILL BE SENT A PRE-PAID POSTAGE CARD THAT IS TO BE FILLED OUT AND SENT BACK. THE CARD WILL INDICATE WHETHER THE SEAT BELTS ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. IF DEALER INSPECTS SEAT BELTS, THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS WILL BE REPLACED, IF NECESSARY, WITHOUT CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BELT RETRACTORS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, IF PASSENGERS ARE NOTSECURELY RESTRAINED, THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY AND DEATH WOULD BEINCREASED.
2. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. THE CARBURETOR FUEL INLET HOUSING PLUG IN THE SIDE OF THE CARBURETOR MAY COME OUT.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CARBURETOR INLET PLUG TO PREVENT FUEL LEAKAGE, WITHOUT CHARGE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1981 CHEVETTE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 82V106000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
Summary: THE CARBURETOR FUEL INLET HOUSING PLUG IN THE SIDE OF THE CARBURETOR MAY COME OUT.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CARBURETOR INLET PLUG TO PREVENT FUEL LEAKAGE, WITHOUT CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.6 LITER ENGINES.SYSTEM: FUEL; CARBURETOR FUEL INLET PLUG.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FUEL WOULD LEAK FROM THE CARBURETOR AND, UNDER CERTAINCIRCUMSTANCES COULD START AN UNDERHOOD FIRE WHICH COULD SPREAD TO THE REST OFTHE VEHICLE. THIS COULD CAUSE BURN INJURIES TO VEHICLE PASSENGERS.
3. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. THE CARBURETOR FUEL PLUG MAY COME OUT AND FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE CARBURETOR.
What could happen:
The fix: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CARBURETOR INLET PLUG TO PREVENT IT FROM DISLODGING, AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1981 CHEVETTE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 83V027000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
Summary: THE CARBURETOR FUEL PLUG MAY COME OUT AND FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE CARBURETOR.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CARBURETOR INLET PLUG TO PREVENT IT FROM DISLODGING, AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.6 LITER ENGINES ANDCALIFORNIA EMISSION SYSTEMS.SYSTEM: FUEL SYSTEMS, CARBURETOR FUEL INLET HOUSING PLUG.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: WHEN A FUEL LEAK OCCURS IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OFIGNITION, A FIRE COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (2), Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1), Engine (1), Transmission / drivetrain (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
11/09/2005 · Fuel system
CONSUMER WANTS ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE SENSITIVITY OF THE GAS TANK IN THE 1981 CHEVETTE DURING CRASHES. *TS *NM
09/01/1997 · Engine
TIMING BELT FAILED.
04/09/1997 · Transmission / drivetrain
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER MECHANISM IS WORN OUT, CAUSING DIFFICULY SHIFTING INTO PARK/ REVERSE.
04/08/1997 · Seat belts · crash
DEFECTIVE SEATBELT AND BRAKES, UPON HITTING THE BRICK HOUSE THE PASSENAGER WAS EJECTED INTO THE WINDSHIELD.
10/02/1996 · Brakes · crash
SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN PASSENGER IN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY BRAKE FAILURE.