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1981 Toyota Corolla SR5 Sport 2dr Hatchback

All Toyota Corolla trims (1980–1983) → All Toyota Corolla generations →
1981 Toyota Corolla – front
Photo: Abomination Toyota KE70 wagon with E90 front, Bangladesh (26897487892) by Shadman Samee from Dhaka, Bangladesh, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photos show the E70 (1980–1983); trim, color, and model year may differ.
All photo credits
  1. Photo: Abomination Toyota KE70 wagon with E90 front, Bangladesh (26897487892) by Shadman Samee from Dhaka, Bangladesh, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Photo: 1979 Toyota Corolla 1.3 by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Photo: 1983 Toyota Corolla 1.3 DX Automatic KE70 by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photo: New Orleans Dec 2017 Max Style Corolla Back by Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photo: Toyota Corolla DX (KE70) Dashboard 01 by Jirapat Chroenkeskij, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 1981 Toyota Corolla SR5 Sport 2dr Hatchback is a 75-hp 1.8-liter hatchback with rear-wheel drive. It starts at $6,998 MSRP.

It makes 75 horsepower.

The Corolla measures 168.0 inches long on a 94.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,266 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeHatchback
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$6,998 ($25,020 *)
Engine
Engine Type3T-C, 1.8L pushrod OHV, carbureted
Displacement1.8 L
Horsepower75 hp
ValvetrainOHV, 8-valve pushrod
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRWD
Dimensions & Weight
Length168 in
Width63 in
Height50 in
Wheelbase94.4 in
Curb Weight2,266 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front37 in
Headroom Rear34 in
Legroom Front41 in
Legroom Rear28 in
Shoulder Room Front51 in
Shoulder Room Rear49 in
Hip Room Front52 in
Hip Room Rear52 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Similar cars

Rivals to the 1981 Toyota Corolla SR5 Sport 2dr Hatchback with similar size, power and price from around the same years.

1981 Honda Accord Hatchback Unverified

1981 Honda Accord Hatchback

Base MT
72 hp · $6,918
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1983 Subaru Hatchback Unverified

1983 Subaru Hatchback

4WD
73 hp · $7,099
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1983 Ford EXP Unverified

1983 Ford EXP

Base
70 hp · $6,741
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1983 Mitsubishi Cordia Unverified

1983 Mitsubishi Cordia

Base
68 hp · $7,279
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1981 Fiat Strada Unverified

1981 Fiat Strada

Manual
75 hp
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1982 Mercury LN7

Base MT
70 hp
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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 Toyota COROLLA.

3 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1981 Toyota COROLLA

Owner Complaints

3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1981 Toyota COROLLA (1 mention a crash, 2 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Service Brakes2
Air1
Hydraulic1
Seat Belts1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Feb 10, 2010 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic Crash 1 injury
“I WAS DRIVING HOME AND OUTSIDE OF MY GARAGE I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND GOT OUT AND OPENED OUR GARAGE DOOR, WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE IT SHOT ACROSS OUR GARAGE BREAKING STAIRS LEADING INTO OUR HOUSE, A…”
Dec 18, 2002 · Service Brakes, Air
“CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT INTERMITTENTLY BRAKES LIGHT HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST PAST YEAR. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER…”
Jun 5, 1995 · Seat Belts 1 injury
“DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD/INJURY. *SKD”

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

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