The 1981 Chevrolet Citation has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 130,593 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE ENGINE-TO-BODY GROUND CABLE ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING MANUFACTURE. THE CABLE COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK DUE TO THE RELATIVE MOTION BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND BODY DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.
A NEW GROUND CABLE WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE.
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH THE POWER STEERING HOSE INCORRECTLY ROUTED. THE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY THEN CONTACT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN DETERIORATION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE HOSE AND LEAKAGE OF POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HOSES AND INLET PIPE AND ADD A CLIP AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Alternator belt replaced.”
“Front strut plate failed.”
“Front tires replaced.”
“Motor mounts replaced.”
“When warming up the vehicle and pulling off there is no power steering . The vehicle loses all power steering when making a left turn. Also, there is a leak coming from under the engine. Comsumer states that she has to drive very slow when making a left turn, and turning to the right there is no…”
“When warming up the vehicle and pulling off there is no power steering . The vehicle loses all power steering when making a left turn. Also, there is a leak coming from under the engine. Comsumer states that she has to drive very slow when making a left turn, and turning to the right there is no…”
“Steering line failed.”
“Flywheel failed.”
TRANS. LOCKUPS AND TRANS. HARD SHIFTING
LOCKED POWER STEERING SYSTEM
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER:GM HAS DEVELOPED A SPLITRING FIELD REPAIR KIT AND IS EXTENDING THE WARRANRY ON ALL 1982-84 A,J, AND X, BODY CARS AND 1985 C,BODY CARS.THE WARRANTY APPLIES TO CARSTHAT ARE FOR 50,000 MILES OR 5 YRS.IT INCLUDES REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUSREPAIRS.ANALYSIS:WEARING OF THE RACK…
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 Citation as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.