Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 Fairmont.
The 1981 Ford Fairmont is best understood through its reliability record rather than through any dramatic mechanical distinction, with owner data logging only six total complaints and identifying steering as the most frequently reported problem area. Two recalls add a note of official intervention to an otherwise low-volume complaint profile, keeping the year from reading as either exceptionally troubled or entirely clean. That places the 1981 Fairmont in the quieter middle of the model's reliability history: a year worth examining for steering concerns and recall exposure, but not one that defines the line's worst or best moments.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 195.7 in |
| Overall width | 70.9 in |
| Overall height | 52.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.5 in |
| Curb weight | 2727 lb |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 1981 Ford Fairmont dominate in one area — the steering, 2 of 6 reports (33%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 2 recall campaigns target the steering, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 3 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the steering pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 6 complaints on record, top 4 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… Remedy: 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.
ON SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE BRAKE PUSHROD TO BRAKE PEDAL RETAINING PINS MAY BE MISSING OR LOOSE. INSECURELY INSTALLED OR MISSING RETAINERS COULD RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKE PUSHROD AND TOTAL LOSS OF… Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A BRAKE PEDAL RETAINING PIN.
Showing 1 of 1 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| RC INDEX | 1983-02-01 | Unknown Or Other | UNKNOWN |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.