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1981 Honda Civic Sedan 1500 GL MT

The 1981 Honda Civic Sedan 1500 GL MT is a 63-hp 1.5-liter inline-4 sedan with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $6,368 MSRP.

It makes 63 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 77 lb-ft of torque at 3000 rpm.

The Civic Sedan measures 161.0 inches long on a 91.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 1,978 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$6,368 ($22,768 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.5L (1487cc) SOHC 12-valve CVCC I4 (EM1)
Displacement1.5 L
Horsepower63 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque77 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
ValvetrainSOHC, 12-valve (CVCC: main intake/exhaust valves plus 1 auxiliary pre-chamber valve per cylinder)
Injection Type3-barrel carburetor (CVCC stratified-charge pre-chamber design)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
Recommended FuelUnleaded regular (required -- catalytic-converter equipped)
Dimensions & Weight
Length161 in
Width61 in
Height52 in
Wheelbase91.3 in
Curb Weight1,978 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front36 in
Headroom Rear35 in
Legroom Front40 in
Legroom Rear30 in
Shoulder Room Front50 in
Shoulder Room Rear50 in
Hip Room Front50 in
Hip Room Rear50 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

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 CIVIC.

1 owner complaint to NHTSA for the 1981 Honda CIVIC

Owner Complaints

1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA for the 1981 Honda CIVIC (1 a fire). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine And Engine Cooling1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
May 9, 1996 · Engine And Engine Cooling Fire
“DRIVING DOWN ROAD, STOPPED COMPLETELY, TRIED TO GET BACK HOME, NOTICE SMOKE FROM UNDERNEATH, THEN VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES NEAR PASSENGER SIDE. *AK”

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 CIVIC. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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