Buick and others Recall 81V038000: Electrical System, 12v/24v/48v Battery, Cables

NHTSA recall 81V038000 · announced March 24, 1981 · filed by General Motors Corp. · 105,130 units affected

The problem

THE ENGINE-TO-BODY GROUND CABLE ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING MANUFACTURE. THE CABLE COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK DUE TO THE RELATIVE MOTION BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND BODY DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.

What to do

A NEW GROUND CABLE WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE.

Official NHTSA recall notice →

Notes

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: ELECTRICAL; GROUND CABLE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF THE CABLE BREAKS WHEN MAXIMUM ELECTRICAL LOADS AREBEING PLACED ON VEHICLE, HEADLIGHTS COULD SUDDENLY DIM OR WIPERS COULD SLOWDOWN. THIS WOULD REDUCE VISIBILITY IN SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME DRIVINGCONDITIONS. AN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT.NOTE: IF DIMMING OCCURS, RESTRICTING THE USE OF OTHER ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIESCOULD PARTIALLY RESTORE SOME OF THE HEADLIGHT BRIGHTNESS OR WIPER SPEED.

Vehicles covered by this recall

• 1981 Buick Skylark
• 1981 Chevrolet Citation
• 1981 Oldsmobile Omega
• 1981 Pontiac Phoenix

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public recall data. This page reports official records and is not legal, medical, or repair advice.