1981 Ford F-150 for sale

None for sale by us right now: rent one for a week first, or ask us to find one. 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.

For sale by us
0
Recalls
3

Find me this car

Ford F-150 of the 1981 to 1986 generation
Photo: Bretbmorgan, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo, not one of our cars

For sale

We do not have a 1981 Ford F-150 for sale right now. We are a rental company: rent one for a week to try it, or tell us what you want and we look for one for you.

What to check when buying the 1981 Ford F-150

  • NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. Ask the seller for proof each one was fixed; a dealer can check it by the VIN.
  • Owners filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel system (1) and tires (1). Have those parts checked before you buy.
1981 Ford F-150 recall campaigns
CampaignDateComponentSummary
82V0240001982-03-15equipment:mechanical:carrier/rackTHE REINFORCEMENT FOR THE IN-BOX SPARE TIRE CARRIER MAY HAVE BEEN ATTACHED USING INCORRECT HEX HEAD BOLTS. IF THE CARRIER AND REINFORCEMENT ATTACHING BOLTS ARE INCORRECT, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR THE TIRE SIDEWALL TO BE DAMAGED OR WEAKENED BY EXTENDED CONTACT WITH THE SHARP EDGES OF THE BOLT HEADS.
81V0610001981-05-21structureTHE INVOLVED TRUCKS WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A CERTAIN PORTION OF SPECIFIED FLOOR PAN INSULATION MATERIAL (BENEATH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT) OMITTED. BECAUSE OF THIS OMISSION, A SECTION OF THE SHEET METAL FLOOR PAN WAS LEFT EXPOSED OVER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IN AN AREA OF POSSIBLE PASSENGER CONTACT.
80V1450001980-11-10fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mountingDURING A CHANGE IN ASSEMBLY PROCEDURES, CERTAIN OF THE MID-SHIP FUEL TANK STRAPS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR MISLOCATED. AS A RESULT, THEY FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY". IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, EXCESSIVE FUEL SPILLAGE MAY OCCUR.

Source: NHTSA (US) recall campaigns and owner complaints for this model year.

Thinking of buying the 1981 Ford F-150?

CarmaCars rents cars and does not sell the 1981 Ford F-150; this page helps you judge it before you buy one elsewhere. For anyone shopping for the 1981 Ford F-150, here are the facts that matter.

Before you sign for the F-150

There are 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file; a dealer can check by the VIN whether each was done. Ask the seller for the service records of this exact car. A private seller in Ontario must give you a Used Vehicle Information Package. In Ontario, a used car needs a Safety Standards Certificate to be registered.

Reading the spec sheet

The EPA does not rate this model year for fuel use; heavier trucks and vans are often not rated.

Who rents the F-150

It suits a stretch between cars, by the week or the month. It suits a family trip where everyone and everything fits in one car.

What the F-150 is like

It is built for loads that would never fit in a trunk.

Rent it for a week first

If it is in our fleet, rent it; if not, a similar car gives you a feel for the class. Drive the F-150 on your commute before you commit to it. If the F-150 is in our fleet, its page shows the rates; if not, a similar car helps you judge.

Choosing the right one

Look at a few listings of the same year and trim to get a feel for fair prices. Ask the seller which trim it is; badges can be swapped and options vary. Write down the VIN of any car you consider; it unlocks the recall and service history.

What it costs to run

Get an insurance quote for this exact model before you buy; rates differ a lot between models. Tires, brakes and batteries are the regular costs to budget for beyond fuel. Ask what a set of tires costs for this trim; sizes and prices vary.

Make a request

Want to try before you buy? Ask for your dates.

Rent it for a week before you buy

A week of your own driving tells you more than a test drive: the commute, the parking, the fuel. Rent a 1981 Ford F-150 from us first.

Rent the 1981 Ford F-150Request a rental

Find me this car

Tell us your budget and when you want to buy; we look for a 1981 Ford F-150 for you and reply within one business day.

Buying the 1981 Ford F-150

Does CarmaCars sell the 1981 Ford F-150?

Not right now. CarmaCars rents cars; it sells one only now and then. Tell us what you want and we look for one, or rent one for a week first.

Can I rent a 1981 Ford F-150 before I buy one?

Yes. Request it for a week (or longer, up to 365 days) and drive it as your own; nothing is charged until we confirm and you approve.

Does the 1981 Ford F-150 have recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for it, in the table on this page. Ask for proof each was fixed.

Where do the figures come from?

Fuel use and fuel cost from the US EPA (fueleconomy.gov), dimensions and weight from NHTSA vPIC Canadian specifications, recalls and complaints from NHTSA. We leave out any figure no free source publishes.