Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 Mustang.
The 1981 Ford Mustang Overview is a model-year reference entry whose mechanical particulars—body style, platform, and engine—are not itemized in the provided dataset, leaving the record to speak mainly through the model's later complaint history. That history runs from 1990 to 2026 and reaches its highest point in 2005 with 868 complaints, while the lowest recorded count is 4 complaints in 2026. Because 1981 predates this reporting window, the available data cannot render a direct reliability verdict for the car itself; it can only situate the Mustang line within a long arc where reported problems surge dramatically around 2005 and then fall to a minimum by 2026.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 179.1 in |
| Overall width | 69.3 in |
| Overall height | 51.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 100.4 in |
| Curb weight | 2643 lb |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Mustang of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Cobra Hatchback Coupe 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 10.80 sec | 18.20 sec | 132 hp | RWD |
| 1982 | GT Hatchback Coupe 5.0L V8 | 8.00 sec | 16.30 sec | 157 hp | RWD |
| 1982 | GT Hatchback Coupe 5.0L V8 | 8.10 sec | 16.20 sec | 157 hp | RWD |
| 1979 | Cobra Hatchback Coupe 4.9L V8 | 8.30 sec | 17.00 sec | 139 hp | RWD |
| 1979 | Hatchback Coupe 2.8L V6 | 10.70 sec | 18.60 sec | 109 hp | RWD |
| 1979 | Hatchback Coupe 3.3L I-6 | 12.90 sec | 19.20 sec | 109 hp | RWD |
| 1983 | GT Hatchback Coupe 5.0L V8 | 7.00 sec | 15.40 sec | 175 hp | RWD |
| 1983 | GT Hatchback Coupe 5.0L V8 | 7.43 sec | 16.06 sec | 175 hp | RWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
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.
THE HOUSING PLATES ON THE DRIVER SEAT BACK LATCH RECLINER ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SUBSTANDARD MATERIAL PRODUCTS. THIS TAINTED STEEL WAS USED TO PRODUCE SEATBACK LATCHES FOR BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE SEAT… Remedy: UPON INSPECTION, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT LATCH/RECLINER ASSEMBLIES, ON VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE SUSPECT DATE CODES, WILL BE REPLACED.
Showing 3 of 3 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01157 | 2001-08-06 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC |
| 9888 | 1998-04-27 | Power Train | INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC |
| 97511 | 1997-03-03 | Power Train | FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD |
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.