NHTSA safety recall

Recall 81V038000

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables — Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and others · reported 24 Mar 1981 · 105,130 vehicles potentially affected

What's wrong

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.

The fix

A NEW GROUND CABLE WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; GROUND CABLE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE CABLE BREAKS WHEN MAXIMUM ELECTRICAL LOADS AREBEING PLACED ON VEHICLE, HEADLIGHTS COULD SUDDENLY DIM OR WIPERS COULD SLOWDOWN. THIS WOULD REDUCE VISIBILITY IN SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVINGCONDITIONS. AN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT.NOTE: IF DIMMING OCCURS, RESTRICTING THE USE OF OTHER ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIESCOULD PARTIALLY RESTORE SOME OF THE HEADLIGHT BRIGHTNESS OR WIPER SPEED.

NHTSA campaign
81V038000
Filed by
General Motors Corp.
Report received
24 Mar 1981
Owners notified
31 Mar 1981
Potentially affected
105,130

Vehicles covered by this recall

Whether a particular car is affected and still unrepaired depends on its VIN — a model year being listed does not mean every car of that year is included. Check any VIN free on CarLogs, or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

1981 Buick Skylark 1981 Chevrolet Citation 1981 Oldsmobile Omega 1981 Pontiac Phoenix

Is this car's recall fixed?

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer, for the life of the vehicle. A CarLogs report shows the recall status for a specific VIN as reported by the manufacturer — whether it's open or repaired, and whether the fix is available yet.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall database. Look up another campaign →