Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1981 Chevrolet Impala: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1981 Chevrolet Impala, most recently filed August 1983. Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Recalls 2campaigns 1 vehicle speed control · 1 brake Source: NHTSA Complaints 2filed Owner reports, 1981–1997 shown Source: NHTSA ODI
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Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1981 Chevrolet Impala. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1981 Chevrolet Impala. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 83V077000 Filed Aug 19, 1983

FUEL:THROTTLE LINKAGES:ACCELERATOR:FLEXIBLE

Vehicle speed control · cables
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ACCELERATOR PUMP LEVER RETAINING PIN MAY LOOSEN AFTER REPEATED HEAVY ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSTALL A SPECIAL COTTER PIN, TO RETAIN THE ACCELERATOR PUMP PIN, AND A SPRING CLIP THRUST WASHER ON THE ACCELERATOR PUMP LINK.
Repair progress not yet reported19,108 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 83V077000
Listed for 1981 Chevrolet Impala. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 80V125000 Filed Sep 25, 1980

BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:LINKAGE:PEDAL

Service brakes, hydraulic · pedals and linkages
Official NHTSA text
Summary
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH A BRAKE PEDAL SUPPORT BRACKET WHICH WAS DESIGNED FOR USE IN DIESEL ENGINE VEHICLES. THE INCORRECT BRACKET MAY CAUSE THE SERVICE BRAKES TO REMAIN PARTIALLY APPLIED, RESULTING IN BRAKE OVERHEATING AND REDUCED BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSPECT VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PEDAL SUPPORT BRACKET AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Repair progress not yet reported4,615 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 80V125000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Impala years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Chevrolet ImpalaAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (2)

2 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
2involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1981 Chevrolet Impala, by component (top 2). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 2.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1981 compares with other Impala years

Best and worst Impala years →
2 2 3 1 1 2 15 44 88 1
1981198219831985198719931994199519961997
This year (1981)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1981 Impala for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Impala years

Where to next

Which Impala years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →1982 Chevrolet Impala report2 complaints · 2 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

1981 Chevrolet Impala FAQ

How many recalls does the 1981 Chevrolet Impala have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 83V077000 (vehicle speed control), 80V125000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1981 Chevrolet Impala problems?

Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (1), Engine and engine cooling (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

How does the 1981 Impala compare with other years?

Among the 1981–1997 Chevrolet Impala model years at least five years old, the 1985 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1996 the most (88). The 1981 drew 2. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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