Defect
THE CARBURETOR FUEL PLUG MAY COME OUT AND FUEL COULD LEAK FROM THE CARBURETOR.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CARBURETOR INLET PLUG TO PREVENT IT FROM DISLODGING, AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
1981 Chevrolet Chevette Recalls
Recalls on record Updated July 2026
The 1981 Chevrolet Chevette has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 653,625 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
Defect
THE CARBURETOR FUEL INLET HOUSING PLUG IN THE SIDE OF THE CARBURETOR MAY COME OUT.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CARBURETOR INLET PLUG TO PREVENT FUEL LEAKAGE, WITHOUT CHARGE.
Defect
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".
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.
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
2crashes2injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints6
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Timing belt failed.”
“Defective seatbelt and brakes, upon hitting the brick house the passenager was ejected into the windshield.”
“Seat belt failed to restrain passenger in accident caused by brake failure.”
“Seat belt failed to restrain passenger in accident caused by brake failure.”
“Consumer wants any information regarding the sensitivity of the gas tank in the 1981 chevette during crashes. *ts *nm”
“The automatic transmission shift lever mechanism is worn out, causing difficuly shifting into park/ reverse.”
Defect investigations
Investigation DP85002 Opened 1984-10-10 · closed 1985-03-26
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BREAKS
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BREAKS
Investigation DP87009 Opened 1986-12-30 · closed 1987-02-10
SAFETY BELTS
SAFETY BELTS
Investigation EA83004 Opened 1982-10-22 · closed 1983-07-15
CARBURETOR PLUG POPS OUT
There is no summary currently available
Investigation EA83004 Opened 1982-10-22 · closed 1983-07-15
CARBURETOR PLUG POPS OUT
There is no summary currently available
Investigation EA85018 Opened 1985-03-13 · closed 1987-09-04
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT
SUMMARY: GM ADMITS THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AND HAS DESIGNED A MODIFICATIONKIT INTENDED TO PREVENT PULLEY BOLT FAILURES BY KEEPING THE PULLEY INPROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE CRANKSHAFT AND THEREBY REDUCING THE BENDINGSTRESS ON THE BOLT. GM DOES NOT BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS SAFETY RELATEDAND WILL CONDUCT A SERVICE…
Investigation EA86033 Opened 1986-09-30 · closed 1987-08-25
BRAKE FAILURE
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:GM MAINTAINS THAT THERE IS NO DEFECT IN THE DESIGN.SPATIAL RELATIONSHIP DOES NOT CHANGE WITH APPLICATION OF PEDAL FORCE.GM BELIEVES THAT THEIR TEST DATA DEMONSTRATES THAT PEDAL, BRACKET, AND FIREWALL ARE SUFFICIENTLY STOUT.GM REPORTSNO FIELD COMPLAINTS ON THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.…
Investigation PE86057 Opened 1986-05-23 · closed 1986-09-26
BRAKE FAILURE/FIREWALL
ANALYSIS:THE COMPLAINT HAS BEEN VERIFIED WITH THE VEHICLE'S OWNER AND ASTATE OF MICHIGAN CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVE.THE BENDIX REPORT WAS SUPPLIEDBY A MIDAS REPRESENTATIVE, AND REMAINS UNCONFIRMED.ALTHOUGH NO OTHERCOMPLAINTS IDENTIFY THIS PARTICULAR CONDITION, THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTEDINCIDENTS OF UNEXPLAINED BRAKE…
Investigation PE88023 Opened 1988-02-05 · closed 1988-04-08
SHIFTER FAILURE
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Sources & methodology
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 Chevette as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.