1981 Ford Fairmont Base
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 1981-83 Ford Fairmont Futura 4-dr sedan, front right by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1981 Ford Fairmont Futura 3.3 by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Ford Fairmont 4p 1982 Azul by Alfacevedoa, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Ford Fairmont two door sedan rear by dave_7 from Lethbridge, Canada, cropped and altered by uploader Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1980 Ford Fairmont Futura rear, Mustang wheels by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1981 Ford Fairmont Base is an 88-hp 2.3-liter inline-4 with a 4-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $6,036 MSRP.
It makes 88 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 118 lb-ft of torque at 2800 rpm.
The Fairmont measures 195.0 inches long on a 105.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,677 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $6,036 ($21,581 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 2.3L Lima SOHC I4 |
| Displacement | 2.3 L |
| Horsepower | 88 hp @ 4,800 rpm |
| Torque | 118 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm |
| Valvetrain | SOHC |
| Bore and Stroke | 3.78 x 3.13 in |
| Injection Type | 2-barrel Carburetor |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | RWD |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Manual |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Independent, lower lateral arms, MacPherson struts, coil springs |
| Rear Suspension | Solid axle, coil springs, vertically mounted dampers |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | Vented Discs, 10.0 in |
| Rear Brake Disc | Drums, 9.0 x 1.8 in |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 14 in |
| Wheels Rear | 14 in |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 195 in |
| Width | 70 in |
| Height | 52 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.4 in |
| Curb Weight | 2,677 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 38 in |
| Headroom Rear | 37 in |
| Legroom Front | 41 in |
| Legroom Rear | 35 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 56 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 55 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1981 Ford Fairmont Base with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1981 Ford FAIRMONT. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Aug 27, 2007 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR INADEQUATELY TESTED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP TO LEAK.
Consequence: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
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.
NHTSA campaign 07E064000
Nov 19, 1980 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
ON SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE BRAKE PUSHROD TO BRAKE PEDAL RETAINING PINS MAY BE MISSING OR LOOSE. INSECURELY INSTALLED OR MISSING RETAINERS COULD RESULT IN DISENGAGEMENT OF THE BRAKE PUSHROD AND TOTAL LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKING.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A BRAKE PEDAL RETAINING PIN.
NHTSA campaign 80V152000
4 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1981 Ford FAIRMONT
Owner Complaints
4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1981 Ford FAIRMONT (2 a fire). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
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 FORD FAIRMONT. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.