Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 Bronco.
The 1981 Ford Bronco, as noted in the overview, is the vehicle under discussion. It recorded just two owner complaints, with tires identified as the top complaint area, and was subject to one recall. These figures place it at the low‑end of the Bronco’s complaint history, which spans 1990‑2024 and shows a low of one complaint in 1997 and a high of 345 complaints in 2022. Consequently, the 1981 model sits before the recorded complaint window, suggesting a comparatively reliable entry in the nameplate’s timeline.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 177.6 in |
| Overall height | 73.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 104.7 in |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Bronco 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Ranger XLT Trailer Special 2-door 5.8L V8 | 14.10 sec | 19.60 sec | 160 hp | 4x4 |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1981 Ford Bronco’s federal filing lists only two tire‑related complaints and records zero crash or fire complaints. The earliest year captured in the provided dataset is 1990, which shows 66 complaints and 1 recall, indicating that the 1981 model falls outside the period with extensive documented issues. Across the subsequent years, complaint and recall counts generally rise, peaking in 2022 with 345 complaints and 22 recalls, suggesting that later generations experienced more frequent federal actions. Because the 1981 data show no crash or fire complaints and the earliest recorded complaints begin a decade later, the 1981 model is not associated with the later‑generation safety concerns. Accordingly, from the available federal record the 1981 Bronco appears to be a relatively low‑risk purchase, though the lack of comprehensive early data warrants a thorough mechanical inspection before acquisition.
All 2 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE… Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
Showing 5 of 7 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01157 | 2001-08-06 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION REGARDING TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *SLC |
| 98246 | 1998-12-07 | Electrical System | FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RELEASED A NEW ELECTRICAL GREASE ( F8AZ - 19G208-AA ) TO REDUCE… |
| 9888 | 1998-04-27 | Power Train | INFORMATION ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHART. *YC |
| 97511 | 1997-03-03 | Power Train | FLUID- TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE CHARTS. *JD |
| 9747 | 1997-02-17 | Structure | FRAME- RIVET REPLACEMENT WITH BOLTS- SERVICE TIPS. *JD |
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 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.