The Ford Fairmont spans 1981–1983 with 7 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1983, 1981, 1982 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1982, 1981, 1983. It delivers competitive fuel economy and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Ford Fairmont is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1981 to 1983 across multiple generations.
How to read a Ford Fairmont VIN — every digit explained
Every Ford Fairmont carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Ford and the country it was built in (real Ford codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Fairmont.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- USA1F1 · 1F7 · 1FA · 1FB · 1FM · 1FT
- Canada2FA · 2FM · 2FT · 2LM · 2LN · 2ME
- Mexico3FA · 3FB · 3FM · 3FT · 3LN · 3MA
- GermanyWF0 · WF1
- Norway1FL
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Fairmont, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Ford Fairmont have?
The Ford Fairmont has 7 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1983. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1983 Ford Fairmont recalls 3
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
What's wrong. The shift indicator may not accurately reflect the shift selector position. Some vehicles were produced with transmission control selector tube retaining clips that may not be hard enough. The clip may loosen or fall off, and the selector tube may become displaced.
Fix. The dealer will replace the transmission control selector tube retaining clip at no charge to owner.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
What's wrong. The park lever on the involved vehicles contains a defective spring which could prevent automatic engagement of the parking gear.
Fix. The park actuating lever rod spring will be replaced with an upgraded spring without charge to owner.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A leaking fuel pump could create a vehicle fire hazard.
Fix. 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.
1982 Ford Fairmont recalls 2
Power Train:automatic Transmission
What's wrong. The park lever on the involved vehicles contains a defective spring which could prevent automatic engagement of the parking gear.
Fix. The park actuating lever rod spring will be replaced with an upgraded spring without charge to owner.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A leaking fuel pump could create a vehicle fire hazard.
Fix. 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.
1981 Ford Fairmont recalls 2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages
What's wrong. 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.
Fix. Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, install a brake pedal retaining pin.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A leaking fuel pump could create a vehicle fire hazard.
Fix. 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.
Best and worst years for the Ford Fairmont
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 3 tracked years, the worst years are 1983, 1981, 1982 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1982, 1981, 1983.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 Fairmont | Steering | Avoid | |
| 1982 Fairmont | Power Train | Avoid | |
| 1983 Fairmont | Engine And Engine Cooling | Avoid |
What are the most common Ford Fairmont problems?
The most-reported Ford Fairmont problems are Tires (1 reports), Steering (2 reports) and Power Train (1 reports) — out of 13 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Engine And Engine Cooling 6 Read
Air control module-air pump deverter valve closed, causing hot gasses and air returning from exhaust to explode/melt/ignite the plastic valve, damaging vacuum lines/valve cover surface, resulting in a fire. *ak
Modulator valve failed, causing gear shift to stick.
Radiator fan failed.
Vehicle stalls intermittently.
Vehicle stall when crossing a intersection after a stop.
Vehicle stalls in traffic when crossing a intersection after a stop.
Electrical System 3 Read
An electrical short caused the ignition switch to catch on fire while parked. Please describe. *ak
Replacement alternator failed.
Steering 2 Read
While driving a piece in the steering wheel broke off and casued loss of steering. Please describe. *ak
Power Train 1 Read
While car was parked on a hill and consumer was geting out of vehicle when gear slipped out of park, and vehicle started rolling down hill with consumer half in vehicle. Vehicle ran over consumer's legs. Please provide furhter information.*ak
Tires 1 Read
Tires replaced.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Ford Fairmont specifications & dimensions
The 1983 Ford Fairmont. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Ford Fairmont window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Ford Fairmont cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Fairmont holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Ford Fairmont tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Ford Fairmont get?
MPG cache warming… reload in a moment.
What engines does the Ford Fairmont have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
How much does a Ford Fairmont cost to own?
A Ford Fairmont holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Check what a used Fairmont is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Fairmont loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — based on EPA economy at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Fairmont ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Ford Fairmont safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Fairmont yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Ford Fairmont last?
A well-maintained Ford Fairmont typically lasts 200,000–250,000 miles. With regular oil, transmission and timing service, most examples comfortably pass the 200,000-mile mark. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your Ford Fairmont’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Fairmont’s VIN free →All Ford Fairmont model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Ford Fairmont — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 Fairmont | 3 recalls | — | — |
| 1982 Fairmont | 2 recalls | — | — |
| 1981 Fairmont | 2 recalls | — | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Fairmont?
By owner-complaint volume, 1983, 1981, 1982 drew the most reports. 1982, 1981, 1983 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Fairmont have?
7 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1981–1983. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
How many miles does a Fairmont last?
A well-maintained Fairmont typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Fairmont reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Fairmont is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Ford Fairmont warranty?
New Ford models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Ford dealer.
Where is the Ford Fairmont made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Fairmont's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Ford may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Fairmont have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.