Vehicle recall 81V022000 · February 11, 1981

Buick Century, Oldsmobile Cutlass and 2 more models

The electro-clear rear window defoggers contain a defect which causes the glass to shatter without impact during or some time after use of the defogger.

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: The electro-clear rear window defoggers contain a defect which causes the glass to shatter without impact during or some time after use of the defogger. Vertical electrical strips may deteriorate and cause hot spots that can result in breakage of the rear glass.
Remedy: Vehicles will be inspected for presence of a particular weatherstrip. If present, a layer of a special conductive epoxy will be added to the vertical bar on the rear window glass. This epoxy is a new conductive material which will not react with the weatherstrip.
Notes: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with electro-clear rear windowdefoggers.system: defogger; rear window.consequences of defect: driver distraction from the explosion could result in avehicle accident. Broken or hot glass could cause personal injury to vehiclepassengers, other drivers, and nearby pedestrians.note: owners are advised not to use rear window defogger until vehicle isinspected.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 81V022000
Reported to NHTSA: February 11, 1981
Filed by: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Owner notification: March 13, 1981
Vehicles potentially affected: 67,350
Initiated by: NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
Components: Visibility › Glass, side/rear

Recall 81V022000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Buick Century (1979-1980): 1980, 1979
Chevrolet Malibu (1979-1980): 1980, 1979
Oldsmobile Cutlass (1979-1980): 1980, 1979
Pontiac Lemans (1979-1980): 1980, 1979

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