JeepCJ51981Overview/jeep/cj5/1981/base/

1981 Jeep CJ5

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 CJ5.

The 1981 Jeep CJ5 Overview designates this vehicle as a specific model year within the CJ5 platform lineage. While the model name confirms the body identity, the provided data does not specify engine configurations or standout technical specifications for this production run. Researchers should note that without further technical data in this summary, determining where this model year sits in the vehicle's reliability history remains undefined by the provided text. This limitation frames the 1981 CJ5 as a subject requiring additional documentation to fully assess its mechanical standing.

Model year198319821981198019791978197719761975

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

80V158000Seat Belts:Rear/OtherReported 05/12/1980

SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH TONGUE-END REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES INSTEAD OF THE BUCKLE END AND TONGUE-END ASSEMBLIES. WITHOUT THE BUCKLE END ASSEMBLIES, THE REAR SEAT BELTS CANNOT BE FASTENED. Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR SEAT BELTS, IF INCORRECT BELTS WERE INSTALLED, AT NO CHARGE.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific CJ5. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 1981 CJ5 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.