Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 Capri.
The 1981 Mercury Capri is defined by a minimal reliability profile featuring two recalls and two total owner complaints, with the latter concentrated on the vehicle's structure. This limited number of issues stands in contrast to the model's subsequent history from 1991 to 1994, where complaints peaked at 40 in 1991. That later period eventually saw complaints drop to a low of 3 by 1994.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 179.1 in |
| Overall width | 69.3 in |
| Overall height | 51.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 100.4 in |
| Curb weight | 2646 lb |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The provided federal data does not include 1981; it only covers model years 1991–1994, which are ten to thirteen years after the target model. However, the trend across those years shows a significant decline in complaints from 40 in 1991 to just 3 in 1994, while recalls remained low (1–2 per year) and no investigations occurred after 1991. The 1981 Capri's specific complaint areas were limited to structure and seats (1 each), with no crash or fire complaints recorded. Since the data does not cover the target year, there is no information to directly assess the 1981 model's reliability at sale or its typical condition when new. **This is not a good year to buy based on the provided data, as critical information for the target year is absent and the available records reflect a much later period in the vehicle's lifecycle.**
All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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… 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.
THE HOUSING PLATES ON THE DRIVER SEAT BACK LATCH RECLINER ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH SUBSTANDARD MATERIAL PRODUCTS. THIS TAINTED STEEL WAS USED TO PRODUCE SEATBACK LATCHES FOR BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE SEAT… Remedy: UPON INSPECTION, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT LATCH/RECLINER ASSEMBLIES, ON VEHICLES EXHIBITING THE SUSPECT DATE CODES, WILL BE REPLACED.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.