Model year guide

1981 GMC caballero

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1981 GMC caballero is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1981 GMC caballero — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1981 GMC caballero at a glance

Safety recalls3

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1981 GMC caballero recalls 3

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #07E088000 · 24/10/2007

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE…

Fix: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

Wheels:hubcap/cover NHTSA Campaign #81V036000 · 23/03/1981

"TX" HEAVY DUTY WHEELS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH LAMINATED STEEL. THE WHEEL DISC MAY FRACTURE AND THE WHEEL AND TIRE COULD PARTIALLY OR COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Fix: THE DEFECTIVE WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #81V025000 · 25/02/1981

THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE LOWER REAR CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME MAY FRACTURE. THE REAR CONTROL ARM SUPPORTS AND POSITIONS THE REAR AXLE. FRACTURE OF THE BOLTS WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO DROP FREE.

Fix: BOTH REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1981 GMC caballero trims & engines on record

Engines
3.8L 6-cyl

1981 GMC caballero vehicles on record

Other GMC caballero model years

1981 GMC caballero — frequently asked questions

Does the 1981 GMC caballero have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1981 GMC caballero. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.