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

1981 Isuzu Pickup Truck: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1981 Isuzu Pickup Truck, most recently filed February 1982. Owners have filed 0 complaints with NHTSA.

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.
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1981 Isuzu Pickup Truck. 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 Isuzu Pickup Truck. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 82V016000 Filed Feb 23, 1982

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD:INNER

Steering · linkages · tie rod assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
A LOCK NUT WHICH SECURES THE TIE ROD TO THE INNER BALL JOINT OF THE STEERING SYSTEM MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SECURELY FASTENED ON SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ALONG POOR ROADS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE TIE ROD COULD SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING ASSEMBLY.
Remedy
DEALER WILL CHECK THE LOCK NUT FOR ADEQUATE TIGHTNESS, CORRECTING WHERE NECESSARY.
Repair progress not yet reported5,200 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 82V016000
Listed for 1981 Isuzu Pickup Truck. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 81V106000 Filed Sep 9, 1981

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD:END

Steering · linkages · tie rod assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
THE LEFT AND RIGHT OUTER TIE ROD ENDS OF THE STEERING SYSTEM MAY HAVE CIRCUMFERENTIAL CRACKS DUE TO AN IMPROPER MACHINE SET-UP IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.
Remedy
THE TIE ROD ENDS WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Repair progress not yet reported4,800 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 81V106000
Listed for 1981 Isuzu Pickup Truck. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 81V058000 Filed May 15, 1981

FUEL:FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY:PIPE:FILLER:NECK

Fuel system, gasoline · storage · tank assembly · filler pipe and cap
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ON SOME VEHICLES, THE PRESSURE COULD INCREASE INSIDE THE FUEL TANK FROM HIGH SURROUNDING TEMPERATURES WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS MORE THAN HALF FULL.
Remedy
DEALER WILL INSTALL A RESTRICTOR VALVE INTO THE FUEL FILLER PIPE, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Repair progress not yet reported133,000 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 81V058000

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.

Owner complaints (0)

0 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings).

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

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

Most-reported components

NHTSA has no component data for this model year.

How 1981 compares with other Pickup Truck years

Best and worst Pickup Truck years →
1 3 2 3 6 10 7 9 6 10
1984198619871988198919901991199219931994
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 Pickup Truck 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 Pickup Truck years

Where to next

1981 Isuzu Pickup Truck FAQ

How many recalls does the 1981 Isuzu Pickup Truck have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 82V016000 (steering), 81V106000 (steering), 81V058000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

How does the 1981 Pickup Truck compare with other years?

Among the 1984–1994 Isuzu Pickup Truck model years at least five years old, the 1984 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1994 the most (10). The 1981 drew 0. 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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