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1981 Chevrolet Citation

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
3Owner complaints

Model-year median: 0.5

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

4Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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19791
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
2Steering
2Electrical System
1Power Train
1Suspension
1
All reported categories
Tires
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 3 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

2 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

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 POWER STEERING. CONTACTED DEALER,…

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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 POWER STEERING. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. *AK

NHTSA ODI #828856

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 1996
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

FLYWHEEL FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #511368

Official recalls

2

81V038000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Mar 24, 1981

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: A NEW GROUND CABLE WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE.

80V129000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Oct 8, 1980

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HOSES AND INLET PIPE AND ADD A CLIP AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

4

EA87006 · Power St. Assist

Opened Dec 16, 1986 · Closed Sep 19, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering

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 AND PINION HOUSING AND LOW AMBIENT TEMPCAN CAUSE TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER ASSIST.TEFLON O RINGS FAIL TO SEALOFF INTERNAL PRESSURE.STATUS:EVALUATING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFER BY GM.======

DP85026 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Jul 16, 1985 · Closed Aug 13, 1985

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

DP83008 · Locked Power Steering System

Opened Mar 23, 1983 · Closed Jul 20, 1983

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

LOCKED POWER STEERING SYSTEM

DP82010 · Trans. Lockups And Trans. Hard Shifting

Opened May 20, 1982 · Closed Oct 18, 1982

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

TRANS. LOCKUPS AND TRANS. HARD SHIFTING