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1981 Honda Accord Sedan Base Auto

All Honda Accord Sedan trims (1979–1981) → All Honda Accord Sedan generations →
1981 Honda Accord Sedan – front Unverified
Photo: 1980 Honda Accord Hondamatic (front) by Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photos show the first generation (1979–1981); trim, color, and model year may differ.
All photo credits
  1. Photo: 1980 Honda Accord Hondamatic (front) by Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Photo: 1981 Honda Accord 1600 (52274162580) by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Photo: 1978 Honda Accord 1600 (49248233591) by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photo: 1980 Honda Accord 1.6 Saloon (6992172684) by Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photo: 1981 Honda Accord Hondamatic (19430494435) by Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 1981 Honda Accord Sedan Base Auto is a 72-hp 1.8-liter sedan with a 3-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $7,514 MSRP.

It makes 72 horsepower and 85 lb-ft of torque.

The Accord Sedan measures 175.2 inches long on a 93.7-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$7,514 ($26,865 *)
Engine
Engine TypeIn-Line 4-Cylinder, CVCC (Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion)
Displacement1.8 L
Horsepower72 hp
Torque85 lb-ft
ValvetrainSOHC, all-aluminum cylinder head
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission3-Speed Automatic
Dimensions & Weight
Length175.2 in
Width63.8 in
Height53.5 in
Wheelbase93.7 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

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Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

No recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1981 Honda ACCORD.

7 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1981 Honda ACCORD

Owner Complaints

7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1981 Honda ACCORD. See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Fuel System2
Gasoline2
Structure2
Electrical System1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Power Train1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
May 1, 2000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages
“ALL FOUR DOORS ARE NOT OPERABLE. DOORS WLL NOT LOCK OR OPEN FROM EITHER SIDE. CONSUMER HAS TO ENTER THROUGH WINDOW. *AK *ML”
Oct 25, 1999 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“WHILE DOWNSHIFTING THE RPMS DROPPED TO 400 AND THEN CAR DIED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED…”
Jul 22, 1998 · Electrical System
“WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED WITH THE AIR CONDTIONER ON VEHICLE LOSES ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENT LIGHTS AND THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE…”
Nov 17, 1997 · Structure
“FRAME RAIL RUSTED THROUGH AND FRONT CROSS MEMBER HAS COME LOOSE, CAUSING VIBRATION.”
Sep 16, 1997 · Structure
“FRONT CROSS MEMBER MOUNT TO FRAME OF VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, CAUSING FRONT END TO SHIFT AND RIGHT REAR TIRE TO WEAR OUT. ENGINE MAY FALL OUT AT ANY TIME. THE VEHICLE PRESENTLY IS NOT…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1981 HONDA ACCORD. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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