MYRModel Year Report

1981 Honda Civic

○ Not enough data
1981 Honda Civic
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:54:21.051Z

Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1

Too few to rank

Recalls
0

None on file

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 9 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1986: 35 complaints 1987: 39 complaints 1987 1988: 48 complaints 1989: 69 complaints 1990: 92 complaints 1991: 111 complaints 1992: 100 complaints 1993: 155 complaints 1993 1994: 161 complaints 1995: 199 complaints 1996: 305 complaints 1997: 373 complaints 1998: 435 complaints 1999: 338 complaints 1999 2000: 287 complaints 2001: 1,079 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 499 complaints 2004: 350 complaints 2005: 316 complaints 2005 2006: 1,404 complaints 2007: 1,204 complaints 2008: 916 complaints 2009: 396 complaints 2010: 397 complaints 2011: 169 complaints 2011 2012: 456 complaints 2013: 318 complaints 2014: 293 complaints 2015: 379 complaints 2016: 1,081 complaints 2017: 602 complaints 2017 2018: 747 complaints 2019: 441 complaints 2020: 232 complaints 2021: 146 complaints 2022: 885 complaints 2023: 259 complaints 2023 2024: 125 complaints 2025: 79 complaints 2026: 32 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 9 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 15 complaints 1986: 35 complaints 1987: 39 complaints 1987 1988: 48 complaints 1989: 69 complaints 1990: 92 complaints 1990 1991: 111 complaints 1992: 100 complaints 1993: 155 complaints 1993 1994: 161 complaints 1995: 199 complaints 1996: 305 complaints 1996 1997: 373 complaints 1998: 435 complaints 1999: 338 complaints 1999 2000: 287 complaints 2001: 1,079 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2002 2003: 499 complaints 2004: 350 complaints 2005: 316 complaints 2005 2006: 1,404 complaints 2007: 1,204 complaints 2008: 916 complaints 2008 2009: 396 complaints 2010: 397 complaints 2011: 169 complaints 2011 2012: 456 complaints 2013: 318 complaints 2014: 293 complaints 2014 2015: 379 complaints 2016: 1,081 complaints 2017: 602 complaints 2017 2018: 747 complaints 2019: 441 complaints 2020: 232 complaints 2020 2021: 146 complaints 2022: 885 complaints 2023: 259 complaints 2023 2024: 125 complaints 2025: 79 complaints 2026: 32 complaints 2026
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 9 complaints 1983 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 15 complaints 1985 1986: 35 complaints 1987: 39 complaints 1987 1988: 48 complaints 1989: 69 complaints 1989 1990: 92 complaints 1991: 111 complaints 1991 1992: 100 complaints 1993: 155 complaints 1993 1994: 161 complaints 1995: 199 complaints 1995 1996: 305 complaints 1997: 373 complaints 1997 1998: 435 complaints 1999: 338 complaints 1999 2000: 287 complaints 2001: 1,079 complaints 2001 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 499 complaints 2003 2004: 350 complaints 2005: 316 complaints 2005 2006: 1,404 complaints 2007: 1,204 complaints 2007 2008: 916 complaints 2009: 396 complaints 2009 2010: 397 complaints 2011: 169 complaints 2011 2012: 456 complaints 2013: 318 complaints 2013 2014: 293 complaints 2015: 379 complaints 2015 2016: 1,081 complaints 2017: 602 complaints 2017 2018: 747 complaints 2019: 441 complaints 2019 2020: 232 complaints 2021: 146 complaints 2021 2022: 885 complaints 2023: 259 complaints 2023 2024: 125 complaints 2025: 79 complaints 2025 2026: 32 complaints

1981: 1 complaint

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19821
19839
19845
198515
198635
198739
198848
198969
199092
1991111
1992100
1993155
1994161
1995199
1996305
1997373
1998435
1999338
2000287
20011,079
2002702
2003499
2004350
2005316
20061,404
20071,204
2008916
2009396
2010397
2011169
2012456
2013318
2014293
2015379
20161,081
2017602
2018747
2019441
2020232
2021146
2022885
2023259
2024125
202579
202632

Known problem areas

Only 1 complaint on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Engine and engine cooling

1 of 1 total report mentions: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing catalytic convertor.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Driving down road, stopped completely, tried to get back home, notice smoke from underneath, then vehicle burst into flames near passenger side.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-05-09

Safety timeline

No recalls on file for this model year.

0 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1986-07-08Defect petitionClosed 1986-08-21 Seat belt retractors

Buy-smart checklist

1981 Honda Civic — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 1 report on file for this year.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1981 Honda Civic reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1981 Honda Civic?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1981 Honda Civic have?
No recalls are on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.