MYRModel Year Report

1981 Honda Civic

○ Not enough data
1981 Honda Civic
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:40:50.396Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Honda Civic Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1981 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 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: 1079 complaints 2002: 702 complaints 2003: 499 complaints 2004: 350 complaints 2005: 314 complaints 2005 2006: 1402 complaints 2007: 1204 complaints 2008: 916 complaints 2009: 395 complaints 2010: 396 complaints 2011: 168 complaints 2011 2012: 454 complaints 2013: 318 complaints 2014: 291 complaints 2015: 377 complaints 2016: 1079 complaints 2017: 591 complaints 2017 2018: 738 complaints 2019: 425 complaints 2020: 222 complaints 2021: 142 complaints 2022: 881 complaints 2023: 252 complaints 2023 2024: 122 complaints 2025: 70 complaints 2026: 28 complaints 2026
1981: 1 complaints
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
20011079
2002702
2003499
2004350
2005314
20061402
20071204
2008916
2009395
2010396
2011168
2012454
2013318
2014291
2015377
20161079
2017591
2018738
2019425
2020222
2021142
2022881
2023252
2024122
202570
202628

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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960509

SAFETY TIMELINE

No recalls on file for this model year.

I 19860708 — DP (closed 19860821)

SEAT BELT RETRACTORS

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1981 Honda Civic — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (1 reports on file for this year).
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 1987 ▲ 1988

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2007 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.