Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 Pickup.
The 1981 Toyota Pickup, a pickup truck, recorded only four owner complaints and zero recalls, with structural issues being the top concern. Compared to the 1990‑2002 span where complaints peaked at 105 in 1994 and fell to just one in 2002, the 1981 model’s low complaint total places it at the favorable end of the reliability spectrum, indicating a dependable start for the line.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 169.7 in |
| Overall width | 63.4 in |
| Overall height | 59.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 102 in |
| Curb weight | 2518 lb |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Pickup 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Regular Cab 2.2L I-4 | 14.30 sec | 19.80 sec | 90 hp | 4x4 |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The federal complaint record begins in 1990, showing a steady increase in complaints and recalls that peaks in 1994 before declining sharply thereafter. In that arc, the 1981 model precedes the documented surge, placing it outside the period of heightened complaints observed from 1990‑1994. The 1981 target year reports only a single crash‑related complaint and no fire complaints, with each of its top complaint categories (Structure, Tires, Parking Brake, Steering) each accounting for one complaint. Compared with the later years, this indicates a comparatively low complaint burden for the 1981 model. Consequently, from a regulatory‑record perspective, the 1981 Toyota Pickup appears to be a comparatively clean year and is a reasonable choice for a used‑vehicle purchase, provided other factors are also evaluated.
All 4 complaints on record, top 4 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.
Showing 5 of 15 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSB003220 | 2023-08-17 | Air Bags | TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or… |
| Toyota PRO19-02 | 2022-01-12 | Tires | POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all… |
| T-SB-0032-20 Rev | 2021-02-03 | Equipment | TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or… |
| T-SB-0304-17 Obs | 2020-04-07 | Equipment | TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see… |
| T-SB-0032-20 | 2020-04-06 | Equipment | TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service… |
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 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.