Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 LeMans.
The 1981 Pontiac LeMans, built on Pontiac’s mid‑size platform and powered by the era’s conventional V‑engine layout, represents an early‑generation example of the model’s rear‑wheel‑drive lineage. While detailed specifications for this year are sparse, the LeMans would later be tracked for consumer satisfaction during the early 1990s, a period in which the model recorded its highest complaint count of 34 in 1991 and a low of 25 in 1992. Positioned well before that window, the 1981 iteration is generally regarded by researchers as a baseline of relative reliability, offering a contrast to the modest uptick in reported issues that emerged a decade later.
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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. Remedy: BOTH REAR CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
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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.