1981 Chevrolet Malibu 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. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE…
What could happen: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
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 MALIBU.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 07E088000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-890-2075.
- 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: EQUIPMENT
Summary: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. ACCELERATOR PUMP LEVER RETAINING PIN MAY LOOSEN AFTER REPEATED HEAVY ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL INSTALL A SPECIAL COTTER PIN, TO RETAIN THE ACCELERATOR PUMP PIN, AND A SPRING CLIP THRUST WASHER ON THE ACCELERATOR PUMP LINK.
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 MALIBU.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 83V077000.
- 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: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
Summary: ACCELERATOR PUMP LEVER RETAINING PIN MAY LOOSEN AFTER REPEATED HEAVY ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A SPECIAL COTTER PIN, TO RETAIN THE ACCELERATOR PUMP PIN, AND A SPRING CLIP THRUST WASHER ON THE ACCELERATOR PUMP LINK.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CLOSED LOOP QUADRAJETCARBURETORS AND POLICE CAR PACKAGES.SYSTEM: POWER TRAIN; ACCELERATOR PUMP LEVER RETAINING PIN.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: VEHICLE SPEED WOULD NOT DECREASE EVEN AFTER THEACCELERATOR PEDAL IS NO LONGER DEPRESSED. LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL WITHOUTPRIOR WARNING COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: IF THE FAILURE OCCURS BEFORE CORRECTIVE SERVICE CAN BE PERFORMED, DRIVERSHOULD SHIFT TO NEUTRAL GEAR AND APPLY BRAKES AS NECESSARY. VEHICLE SHOULD BEPULLED OUT OF TRAFFIC AND THE IGNITION SHOULD BE TURNED OFF AFTER A COMPLETESTOP.
3. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE. THE REAR CONTROL ARM SUPPORTS AND POSITIONS THE REAR AXLE. FRACTURE OF THE BOLTS WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP FREE.
What could happen:
The fix: BOTH REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED 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 MALIBU.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chevrolet dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 81V025000.
- 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: SUSPENSION:REAR
Summary: THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE. THE REAR CONTROL ARM SUPPORTS AND POSITIONS THE REAR AXLE. FRACTURE OF THE BOLTS WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP FREE.
Consequence:
Remedy: BOTH REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
Notes: SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHING BOLTS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND LIGHT TRUCKS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE FRACTURE OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION,IT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1981 Chevrolet Malibu owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (2), Hydraulic (2), Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (3)
12/23/2001 · Brakes
MAJOR REAR BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO BACKING PLATE CORROSION. DUE TO AGE OF CAR REPAIRS WERE NOT COMPLETED AT A DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SINCE FOUND GM SERVICE CAMPAIGNS 5A09, 6A16A,6A16 THAT STATE THIS IS A COVERED REPAIR REGARDLESS OF VECHICLE AGE OR MILEAGE. I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE (CASE C06066881) AND THEY CLAIMED THAT NO CAMPAIGN EXISTS FOR THIS VECHIC…
07/12/1999 · Fuel system
FUEL TANK IS LOCATED NEAR THE REAR BUMPER. IF INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE IMPACT COULD CAUSE FUEL TANK TO EXPLODE, AND CAUSE INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
12/26/1995 · Brakes
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR; PUMPED PEDAL, PEDAL WOULD NOT COME UP; TURNED OFF IGNITION; COASTED TO A STOP. TT