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1981 Chevrolet Malibu Wagon Base

The 1981 Chevrolet Malibu Wagon Base is a 110-hp 3.8-liter V6 wagon with a 3-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $7,445 MSRP.

It makes 110 horsepower at 4,200 rpm and 170 lb-ft of torque at 2000 rpm.

The Malibu Wagon measures 193.0 inches long on a 108.0-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,237 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeWagon
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$7,445 ($26,619 *)
Engine
Engine Type3.8L Chevrolet 90-degree V6 (229 CID, RPO LC3)
Displacement3.8 L
Horsepower110 hp @ 4,200 rpm
Torque170 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
ValvetrainOHV, 2 valves/cyl (pushrod)
Bore and Stroke3.736 x 3.48 in (94.9 x 88.4 mm)
Compression Ratio8.6:1
Injection Type2-bbl Rochester Dualjet (E2ME) carburetor, GM Computer Command Control
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRWD
Transmission
Transmission3-speed Automatic
Dimensions & Weight
Length193 in
Width71 in
Height54 in
Wheelbase108 in
Curb Weight3,237 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38 in
Headroom Rear38 in
Legroom Front42 in
Legroom Rear35 in
Shoulder Room Front57 in
Shoulder Room Rear57 in
Hip Room Front52 in
Hip Room Rear52 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1981 Chevrolet MALIBU. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Oct 24, 2007 · EQUIPMENT

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 NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 07E088000

Aug 19, 1983 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

ACCELERATOR PUMP LEVER RETAINING PIN MAY LOOSEN AFTER REPEATED HEAVY ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATIONS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION.

Remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL A SPECIAL COTTER PIN, TO RETAIN THE ACCELERATOR PUMP PIN, AND A SPRING CLIP THRUST WASHER ON THE ACCELERATOR PUMP LINK.

NHTSA campaign 83V077000

Feb 25, 1981 · SUSPENSION:REAR

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.

NHTSA campaign 81V025000

3 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1981 Chevrolet MALIBU

Owner Complaints

3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1981 Chevrolet MALIBU. See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Hydraulic2
Service Brakes2
Fuel System1
Gasoline1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Dec 23, 2001 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
“MAJOR REAR BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO BACKING PLATE CORROSION. DUE TO AGE OF CAR REPAIRS WERE NOT COMPLETED AT A DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SINCE FOUND GM SERVICE CAMPAIGNS 5A09, 6A16A,6A16 THAT STATE THIS IS A…”
Jul 12, 1999 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“FUEL TANK IS LOCATED NEAR THE REAR BUMPER. IF INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE IMPACT COULD CAUSE FUEL TANK TO EXPLODE, AND CAUSE INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”
Dec 26, 1995 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
“WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR; PUMPED PEDAL, PEDAL WOULD NOT COME UP; TURNED OFF IGNITION; COASTED TO A STOP. TT”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1981 CHEVROLET MALIBU. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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