1981 Ford Mustang
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1981 Ford Mustang is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1981 Ford Mustang at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1981 Ford Mustang recalls 2
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
THE HOUSING PLATES ON THE DRIVER SEAT BACK LATCH RECLINER ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SUBSTANDARD MATERIAL PRODUCTS. THIS TAINTED STEEL WAS USED TO PRODUCE SEATBACK LATCHES FOR BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE SEAT ASSEMBLIES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE DEFECTIVE HOUSING PLATES MAY DISTORT, ALLOWING THE LOCKING TEETH TO DISENGAGE AND TEAR OFF. THIS PERMITS THE SEATBACK TO PIVOT BACKWARDS.
Fix: UPON INSPECTION, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT LATCH/RECLINER ASSEMBLIES, ON VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE SUSPECT DATE CODES, WILL BE REPLACED.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1981 Ford Mustang — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 4
FLOOR PAN FRACTURE Closed
NHTSA #EA90025 · Structure · opened May 1990 · closed Apr 1991FLOOR PAN CRACKS Closed
SUMMARY: FORD RECOGNIZES THE FLOOR PAN CRACKING PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED4 SERVICE BULLETINS PERTAINING TO REPAIR. THE LATEST ONE WAS ISSUED ONSEPTEMBER 11, 1986. HOWEVER, FORD DOES NOT BELIEVE THE FLOOR PAN PROBLEMREPRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD.ANALYSIS: FLOOR PAN CRACKING CAUSES THE DRIVER TO ROCK IN HIS SEAT.ALTHOUGH THIS IS VERY ANNOYING, IT APPEARS TO BE MORE OF AN ECONOMIC ISSUETHAN A SAFETY ISSUE. NO ACCIDENTS OR INJ…
NHTSA #EA85016 · Structure · opened Feb 1985 · closed Apr 1987FAILURE OF SEAT BACK SECURING BOLTS Closed
FAILURE OF SEAT BACK SECURING BOLTS
NHTSA #DP85009 · Seats · opened Jan 1985 · closed Feb 1985FRONT SEATBACK FAILURE Closed
STATUS: DISCUSSING WITH CANADA.===
NHTSA #EA83013 · Seats · opened Mar 1983 · closed Jan 1989An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 3
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC
Bulletin 01157 · Aug 2001INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC
Bulletin 9888 · Power Train · Apr 1998FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD
Bulletin 97511 · Power Train · Mar 1997Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the MUSTANG. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1981 Ford Mustang. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Seats And Restraints
THE FORWARD SCREW WHICH PROVIDES PART OF THE ATTACHMENT BETWEEN THE DRIVER`S SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY AND THE SEAT CUSHION FRAME COULD FRACTURE AND PERMIT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK TO PIVOT REARWARD. SUCH A CONDITION COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. CORRECTION: NEW DRIVER'S SEAT CUSHION ATTACHMENT SCREWS WILL BE INST…
Transport Canada #1988066 · May 1988Not Entered
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH CMVSS 209 - SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.
Transport Canada #1982102 · Dec 1982Not Entered
VEHICLES PRODUCED AT DEARBORN ASSEMBLY PLANT. VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER SEAT BACK LATCH RECLINER ASSEMBLIES THAT CONTAIN HOUSING PLATES MANUFACTURED FROM SUSPECT STEEL MATERIAL. UNDER CERTAIN TYPES OF DRIVER INDUCED SEAT LOADING THE RECLINER MECHANISM HOUSING PLATES MIGHT DISTORT ALLOWING THE LOCKING TEETH TO DISENGAGE. THIS WOULD ALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO ROTATE…
Transport Canada #1981092 · Sep 1981Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is an American automobile manufactured and marketed by Ford since 1964, as Ford's longest nameplate in continuous production. Currently in its seventh generation, it is the fifth-best selling Ford car nameplate. The namesake of the "pony car" automobile segment, the Mustang was developed as a highly styled line of sporty coupes and convertibles derived from existing model lines, initially distinguished by its pronounced "long hood, short deck" proportions.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.