1981 Ford F250 problems

General information about Ford-F250
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Ford Super Duty (also known as the Ford F-Series Super Duty) is a series of heavy-duty pickup trucks produced by the Ford Motor Company since the 1999 model year. Slotted above the consumer-oriented Ford F-150, the Super Duty trucks are an expansion of the Ford F-Series range, from F-250 to the F-600. The F-250 through F-450 are offered as pickup trucks, while the F-350 through F-600 are offered as chassis cabs.

Rather than adapting the lighter-duty F-150 truck for heavier use, Super Duty trucks have been designed as a dedicated variant of the Ford F-Series. The heavier-duty chassis components allow for heavier payloads and towing capabilities. With a GVWR over 8,500 lb (3,900 kg), Super Duty pickups are Class 2 and 3 trucks, while chassis-cab trucks are offered in Classes 3, 4, 5, and 6. The model line also offers Ford Power Stroke V8 diesel engines as an option.

Ford also offers a medium-duty version of the F-Series (F-650 and F-750), which is sometimes branded as the Super Duty, but is another chassis variant. The Super Duty pickup truck also served as the basis for the Ford Excursion full-sized SUV.

The Super Duty trucks and chassis-cabs are assembled at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, and at Ohio Assembly in Avon Lake, Ohio. Prior to 2016, medium-duty trucks were assembled in Mexico under the Blue Diamond Truck joint venture with Navistar International.

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Common 1981 Ford F250 problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the Ford F-250 1981, several common problems have been reported. Here is a detailed list of these issues:

Ignition Module Failure: The ignition module in the 1981 Ford F-250 was known to fail, leading to engine stalling or failure to start at all. This issue can be disruptive and requires prompt attention to ensure the vehicle's proper functioning.
Front Axle U-Joint Wear: The front axle U-joints had a tendency to wear out prematurely, causing steering issues. This problem could affect the vehicle's handling and safety, necessitating timely repairs to avoid further complications.
Carburetor Clogging: The carburetor in the 1981 F-250 was prone to clogging, resulting in decreased power and fuel efficiency. This issue could impact the vehicle's performance and fuel consumption, requiring regular maintenance to prevent significant problems.
Speedometer Cable Issues: Some trucks experienced problems with the speedometer cable, leading to inaccurate readings or a non-functional speedometer. This issue can be inconvenient and affect the driver's ability to monitor speed accurately.
Front Brake Caliper Sticking: The front brake calipers were known to stick in the 1981 F-250, causing uneven brake pad wear and reduced braking performance. This issue is critical for safety and requires immediate attention to ensure proper braking function.
Automatic Transmission Problems: The automatic transmission in the 1981 Ford F-250 had a tendency to slip out of gear or shift erratically. Transmission issues can significantly impact the vehicle's drivability and should be addressed promptly to prevent further damage.

These common problems reported by owners of the Ford F-250 1981 highlight the importance of regular maintenance and timely repairs to keep the vehicle running smoothly and safely. Addressing these issues promptly can help maintain the performance and longevity of the vehicle.

What are the worst years for f250 Super Duty?

The worst years for used Ford F-250 include:

2002 Ford F-250.
2006 Ford F-250.
2008 Ford F-250.
2011 Ford F-250.
2017 Ford F-250.

What years of f250 are most reliable?

The 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2005 Ford F-250 models are still talked about to this day. They offered excellent performance and great reliability. However, they are probably too old for you to buy one now. The most popular model year for the Ford F-250 is currently the 2016.

How many miles per gallon does a 1981 f250 get?

Based on data from 1 vehicles, 6 fuel-ups and 445 miles of driving, the 1981 Ford F-250 gets a combined Avg MPG of 6.47 with a 1.12 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 0 outliers (0.00%) removed.

What is high mileage for a Ford F-250?

Ford's F-Series pickups are the most popular truck in America, and Ford trucks have a reputation for reliability. Like with the Duramax and Cummins engines, these engines can often last up to 500,000 miles. However, anything over 350,000 miles is usually considered high mileage for a Powerstroke engine.

What years of f250 are most reliable?

Most Reliable Years for the Ford F-250

2005 Ford F-250.
2007 Ford F-250.
2009 Ford F-250.
2010 Ford F-250.
2018 Ford F-250.
2020 Ford F-250.

What are the worst years for f250 Super Duty?

The Ford F-250 years to stay away from include: 2002. 2006. 2008.

What is the mpg on a 1981 Ford F-250?

Are f250s good trucks?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Ford F-250 Super Duty is a good car. Our consumer reviews show that the 2024 F-250 Super Duty gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 6 reviews).

1981 Ford F250 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford F250 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Power train problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1981 Ford F250 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1981 Ford F250 complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1981 Ford F250.

1996-08-27

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1996-08-19
Number Of Deaths: 1
Crash: 1
VIN: 2FTEF25G5BC
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILURE, PARKED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY IN PARK, LEFT IDLE POSITION, OPENED THE DOOR, JUMPED OUT OF THE GEAR AND GRABBED AROUND THE VEHICLE AND FLIPPED OUT TRUCK AND THE TRUCK ROLLED BACKWARD, CAUSING FATALITY. *AK

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1981 Ford F250 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the 1981 Ford F250.

1982-03-15

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
Summary: THE 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.
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE BOLTS AND ANY DAMAGED SPARE TIRES AT NO COST TO OWNER.

1981-10-06

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: WHEELS:MULTI PIECE
Summary: THE OWNER"S GUIDE MAY CONTAIN AN ERROR IN THE WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE SPECIFICATION CHART. INCORRECT INFORMATION COULD RESULT IN IMPROPER TORQUE OF THE LUG NUTS DURING WHEEL REPLACEMENT. LUG NUTS COULD COME LOOSE DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.
Remedy: AN ADHESIVE-BACKED, REVISED PAGE WILL BE SUPPLIED TO OWNERS FOR INSERTION IN THE OWNER"S GUIDE. IN ADDITION, DEALERS WILL PROVIDE TORQUE VERIFICATION, IF ONE OR MORE WHEELS HAVE BEEN SERVICED, AT NO COST TO OWNERS.

1981-05-21

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: STRUCTURE
Summary: THE 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.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A REVISED DESIGN FLOORPAN INSULATOR PAD AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

1981-02-13

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
Summary: CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITHOUT THE SPECIFIED FUEL TANK SHIELD WHICH PREVENTS DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND DRIVELINE COMPONENTS. DURING A 30 MPH FRONTAL BARRIER IMPACT TEST, AS SPECIFIED IN FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY", FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE EXISTING SEPARATE SKID PLATE OR FUEL TANK SHIELD REMOVED (WHICHEVER WAS INSTALLED ON VEHICLE). A SPECIAL COMBINATION SKID PLATE/FUEL TANK SHIELD ASSEMBLY WILL BE INSTALLED IN ITS PLACE FREE OF CHARGE.

1980-11-10

Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
Summary: DURING 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.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, RELOCATE FUEL TANK STRAPS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1981 Ford F250 problems:

1981 f250 Questions & Issues - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1194826-1981-f250-questions-and-issues.html

Oct 9, 2012 ... reason is that rust or contaminates are usually in the bore and for the difference in the money,It isn't worth the chance of failure.. The brake ...

Q&A: 1981 F250 & F150 | Start-up Issues | JustAnswer

https://www.justanswer.com/ford/37z1s-1981-f250-302-4x4-current-issue-won-t-start-problem-began.html

Mar 5, 2010 ... 1981 f250: 302 4x4: current issue, wont start..Ran very rough..die - Answered by a verified Ford Mechanic.

Ford F-250 Questions - 1985 Ford F250 ignition problems - CarGurus

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c4506_ds1002419

Feb 22, 2019 ... 1985 Ford F250 ignition problems - Hello together, I have the problem that my truck wont start. I put the key in and turn it in the ...

Ford C6 Transmission: Troubleshooting Common Problems with ...

https://www.justanswer.com/ford/47dxh-ford-150-4x4-c6-goes-forward-reverse.html

Nov 10, 2010 ... 1981 Ford F150: V8..Automatic transmission..forward gears..adjustment ... Ford F250 Pickup 4x2 I have a 1992 Ford F250 Diesel 7.3L automatic. ..