The 1981 Chevrolet C10 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 270 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID USED IN CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE BRAKE FLUID BOILING POINT REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 116, "MOTOR VEHICLE BRAKE FLUIDS". BRAKING EFFICIENCY MAY BE REDUCED AND VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASED, ESPECIALLY WHEN HARD OR FREQUENT BRAKING…
SUSPECT HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID WILL BE BLED FROM THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPLACED WITH GM DELCO SUPREME NO. 11 OR AN EQUIVALENT, WITHOUT CHARGE.
THE SPARE WHEEL IS ONE INCH WIDER THAN THE MAXIMUM APPROVED RIM WIDTH AND FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS".
THE SPARE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Dt: spent thousands of dollars trying to repair problem. On 03/05 first noticed the problem when the exhaust was sending fumes into the vehicle, and was causing headaches/blurred vision, and so on. The dealership installed an exhaust system from another vehicle. The vehicle was still releasing…”
“Dt: spent thousands of dollars trying to repair problem. On 03/05 first noticed the problem when the exhaust was sending fumes into the vehicle, and was causing headaches/blurred vision, and so on. The dealership installed an exhaust system from another vehicle. The vehicle was still releasing…”
“1981 chevy c-10, front brake hoses retainer bracket, crimped too tightly on hose, causing hose to plug, uneven brake pressure, vehicle pulls to right or left. *tr”
“Purchased truck used, fuel tank doesn't have a plate , the doors don't shut right . *ak *jb”
“Poor design of the location of the gas tank.”
There is no summary currently available
SUMMARY:SOME 1981-86 TRUCKS WITH 7.4L ENGINES AND CAST IRON EXHAUSTMANIFOLDS MAY EXPERIENCE A CONDITION WHERE AN EXHAUST LEAK DEVELOPSBETWEEN THE MANIFOLD AND THE CYLINDER HEAD MATING SURFACE CAUSING A NOISECONDITION. MOST OF THE REPORTS (AND ALL OF THE INJURIES AND THEMANIFOLD FIRE) ARE FROM THE P30 MOTORHOME…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1981 Chevrolet C10 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.