1981 Honda Accord Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1981 Honda Accord, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure337.5%
- Fuel system225.0%
- Electrical112.5%
- Interior & seats112.5%
- Powertrain (other)112.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRAME RAIL RUSTED THROUGH AND FRONT CROSS MEMBER HAS COME LOOSE, CAUSING VIBRATION.
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 DRIVEABLE, VIBRATES WHILE DRIVING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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, AND INVOLVED THE CARBURETOR. *AK
RUSTING OF THE GAS TANK AND FLOOR PANEL. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
ALL FOUR DOORS ARE NOT OPERABLE. DOORS WLL NOT LOCK OR OPEN FROM EITHER SIDE. CONSUMER HAS TO ENTER THROUGH WINDOW. *AK *ML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE CAME TO COMPLETE HALT; PROCEEDED THRU GREEN LIGHT TO 25 MPH; FRONT LEFT AXLE BROKE; LOST VEHICLE POWER. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .