1981 Chrysler New Yorker recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-21. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. ENGINE MAY LOSE POWER OR STALL DUE TO CARBURETOR FLOODING. THIS IS CAUSED BY A POOR ELECTRICAL GROUND ON THE CARBURETOR FUEL BOWL VENT SOLENOID. VEHICLES MAY ALSO HAVE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS WHILE THE ENGINE IS WARMING UP IN COLD WEATHER. THESE PROBLEMS INCLUDE ENGINE MISSING, SAGS, AND HESITATION. THIS IS CAUSED BY A STICKING CARBURETOR OXYGEN FEEDBACK SOLENOID.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL INSPECT CARBURETOR AND IF NECESSARY, THE BOWL VENT SOLENOID WILL BE REPAIRED BY RESOLDERING (RECONNECTING) THE EXTERNAL ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FREE OF CHARGE. IF APPLICABLE, THE OXYGEN FEEDBACK SENSOR WILL BE REPLACED.
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 NEW YORKER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chrysler dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 81V055000.
- 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: ENGINE MAY LOSE POWER OR STALL DUE TO CARBURETOR FLOODING. THIS IS CAUSED BY A POOR ELECTRICAL GROUND ON THE CARBURETOR FUEL BOWL VENT SOLENOID. VEHICLES MAY ALSO HAVE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS WHILE THE ENGINE IS WARMING UP IN COLD WEATHER. THESE PROBLEMS INCLUDE ENGINE MISSING, SAGS, AND HESITATION. THIS IS CAUSED BY A STICKING CARBURETOR OXYGEN FEEDBACK SOLENOID.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT CARBURETOR AND IF NECESSARY, THE BOWL VENT SOLENOID WILL BE REPAIRED BY RESOLDERING (RECONNECTING) THE EXTERNAL ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FREE OF CHARGE. IF APPLICABLE, THE OXYGEN FEEDBACK SENSOR WILL BE REPLACED.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 318 ENGINES.SYSTEM: FUEL; CARBURETOR, FUEL BOWL VENT SOLENOID AND OXYGEN FEEDBACK SOLENOID.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: SHOULD THE VEHICLE LOSE ENGINE POWER, IT MIGHT BECOME AHAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
2. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. THE AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROL SWITCH MAY STICK IN THE "RESUME" POSITION RESTRICTING RETURN MOVEMENT. THIS WILL NOT ALLOW THE NORMAL BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION TO DEACTIVATE THE SYSTEM.
What could happen:
The fix: THE SHIELD PORTION OF THE "RESUME" SLIDE LEVER IN THE SPEED CONTROL UNIT 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 NEW YORKER.
- Book a repair at any authorized Chrysler dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 81V111000.
- 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
Summary: THE AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROL SWITCH MAY STICK IN THE "RESUME" POSITION RESTRICTING RETURN MOVEMENT. THIS WILL NOT ALLOW THE NORMAL BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION TO DEACTIVATE THE SYSTEM.
Consequence:
Remedy: THE SHIELD PORTION OF THE "RESUME" SLIDE LEVER IN THE SPEED CONTROL UNIT WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROLSYSTEMS.SYSTEM: ELECTRIC POWER ACCESSORIES; AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROL SWITCH.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FAILURE OF THE SPEED CONTROL TO DEACTIVATE COULD CAUSELOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: MANUFACTURER ADVISES DISCONNECTION OF THE SPEED CONTROL DEVICE TO PREVENTITS USE PRIOR TO HAVING IT REPAIRED.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (2), Other (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 (2)
10/22/1999 · Fuel system
81 V 055 000 FUEL: CARBURETOR; VEHICLE EXPERINCING ON-GOING PROBLEM WITH CABURETOR FLOODING AND STALLING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF MFR. RECALL.
10/15/1999 · Fuel system
CARBURETOR WENT OUT, AND THE VEHICLE WAS OVER FLOODING AND STALLING. ALSO,THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK