1981 Dodge B250 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash.
What could happen: OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED IN EVENT OFAN ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN STOP.
The fix: INSTALL PROPER MOUNTING HARDWARE AND SEAT BELTS.
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 B250.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 90V137000.
- 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:ANCHORAGE
Summary:
Consequence: OCCUPANTS WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED IN EVENT OFAN ACCIDENT OR SUDDEN STOP.
Remedy: INSTALL PROPER MOUNTING HARDWARE AND SEAT BELTS.
Notes: NOTE: THIS RECALL WAS INITIALIZED BY MARK III INDUSTRIES.SYSTEM: SEAT BELTS, SEAT BELT ANCHORS, AND SEAT MOUNTING. DOM: SEPT. 1978 TOSEPT. 1984.DESCRIPTION ON DEFECT: IMPROPER MOUNTING HARDWARE AND IMPROPER SAFETY RESTRAINTSYSTEMS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES.
2. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. ALTERED VEHICLES EITHER DO NOT HAVE REAR COUCH SEAT BELTS INSTALLED, VIOLATING FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION, OR HAVE REAR COUCH SEAT BELTS WHICH DO NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 210, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES.
What could happen:
The fix: MISSING REAR COUCH SEAT BELTS WILL BE INSTALLED AND IMPROPER ANCHORS WILL BE CORRECTED 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 B250.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 84V040000.
- 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:REAR/OTHER
Summary: ALTERED VEHICLES EITHER DO NOT HAVE REAR COUCH SEAT BELTS INSTALLED, VIOLATING FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION, OR HAVE REAR COUCH SEAT BELTS WHICH DO NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 210, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES.
Consequence:
Remedy: MISSING REAR COUCH SEAT BELTS WILL BE INSTALLED AND IMPROPER ANCHORS WILL BE CORRECTED WITHOUT CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRUCKS; VAN-TYPE.SYSTEM: INTERIOR SYSTEMS; SEAT BELTS AND ANCHORAGES.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: MISSING OR IMPROPERLY ANCHORED SEAT BELTS INCREASE THECHANCES OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (1)
09/16/2000 · Wheels / tires
I HAD 3 TIRE FAILURE IN A SHORT TIME JULY 28 THROUGH AUG 15, 1999. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED FROM PEP BOYS. CORNELL IS A HOUSE BRAND. THE FIRST TWO TIRES TO FAIL WERE ALMOST BRAND NEW FRONT TIRES. ONE CAME APART (THE THREAD PEELED OFF) WITH ABOUT 1,500 MILES ON IT MAX. WHEN I GOT HONE 2,000 MILES LATER I GOT IT REPLACED AT PEP BOYS MELBOURNE, FL BUT I HAD TO…