1981 Jeep cj7
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1981 Jeep cj7 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1981 Jeep cj7 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1981 Jeep cj7 recalls 2
THE TRANSMISSION THROTTLE CONTROL ROD SPRING MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THIS MAY CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO CLOSE MORE SLOWLY THAN NORMAL. VEHICLES MAY RETURN TO IDLE SLOWLY.
Fix: EACH END OF THE SPRING WILL BE INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, IF NECESSARY, TO ENSURE CORRECT POSITIONING.
SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH TONGUE-END REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES INSTEAD OF THE BUCKLE END AND TONGUE-END ASSEMBLIES. WITHOUT THE BUCKLE END ASSEMBLIES, THE REAR SEAT BELTS CANNOT BE FASTENED.
Fix: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR SEAT BELTS, IF INCORRECT BELTS WERE INSTALLED, AT NO CHARGE.
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.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
ANALYSIS: MANY OF THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE PLASTIC VALVE COVER OR THE\TV GASKETING MATERIAL LOSES ITS STRUCTURAL AND/OR SEALING INTEGRITY DUE TOTHE HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE AMC 258 ENGINE. TESTINGPERFORMED BY A LOCAL FLEET CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THAT UNDER NORMAL DRIVINGCONDITIONS, MOTOR OIL LEAKS IN THE VICINITY OF THE #3 OR #4 CYLINDERS (OVERTHE EXHAUST MANIFOLD) CAN RESULT IN A FIRE SERIOUS…
NHTSA #EA88009 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Nov 1987 · closed Jan 1990An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CJ7. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1981 Jeep cj7. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Not Entered
VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TRANSMISSION THROTTLE CONTROL ROD SPRINGS THAT COULD AFFECT THE THROTTLE CLOSURE RATE, WHICH COULD AFFECT THE VEHICLE BRAKING DISTANCE.
Transport Canada #1981016 · Jan 1981Not Entered
VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A REAR SEAT MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH TONGUE END SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES IN PLACE OF BUCKLE END SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. REAR SEAT PASSENGERS WOULD THEN BE UNABLE TO LATCH THEIR SEAT BELTS.
Transport Canada #1980161 · Nov 1980Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.