NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 1995peak 4Apr 2004
Recalls on the 1989 Acura Legend
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
95V103001
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
90E043003
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Risk: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1995086423,467 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the platic front seatbelt release buttons may break allowing plastic pieces to fall into the buckle assembly. If this should happen, a no latch, false latch or failure to unlatch condition could occur creating the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash or sudden stop. Correction: Front seatbelt buckles will be repaired or replaced as necessary.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 159,000 milesSAN Antonio, TXCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 1989 ACURA LEGEND, WHICH THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RELEASED UPON THE IMPACT OF THE INCIDENT. SHE WAS THEN CITATED FOR NOT WEARING A SAFETY BELT. I HAVE RECENTLY FOUND THAT THEY WERE RECALLED IN MAY OF 1995. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON A YEAR AGO.
NHTSA complaint #10056468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, ARCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MY FRIEND AND I WERE TRAVELING ON A FOUR LANE ROAD IN THE RAIN GOING 5 MILES UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT. TWO CARS IN FRONT OF US SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND I PROCEEDED TO DO THE SAME THING. FIRST, MY BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME, HAVING ABS I SHOULD HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM, SECOND AS WE HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF USE TWO THINGS HAPPENDED, ONE MY PASSANGER'S SEATBELT DID NOT TAKE HOLD AND HE ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL WITH MINOR INJURIES. SECOND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING BE TO STRIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WITH NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #743856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Fransisco, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE INTO A 2 INCH POTHOLE, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG TO DEPLOY WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #831926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AT SPEED OF 5 MPH, HIT AN UNEVEN PAVEMENT IN THE HWY, DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #985593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ardsell, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE CAR HAS ABS AND DISC BRAKES. THEY NO LONGER STOP THE CAR AND THE WHOLE SYSTEM NEEDS REPLACING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #977759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albuquerque, NMCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
UPON IMPACT, AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT BAG EXPLODED RESULTING IN CHEST INJURY TO STURNAM (BREAST BONE). PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA complaint #968187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 175,000 milesBrooklyn, NY
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, IGNITION PROBLEMS, AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK, DOOR OPEN LIGHT STAYS ON, LEAK IN SUNROOF WHEN IT RAINS,
NHTSA complaint #10068859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 175,000 milesBrooklyn, NY
AIR BAGS
OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, IGNITION PROBLEMS, AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK, DOOR OPEN LIGHT STAYS ON, LEAK IN SUNROOF WHEN IT RAINS,
NHTSA complaint #10068859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 175,000 milesBrooklyn, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, IGNITION PROBLEMS, AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK, DOOR OPEN LIGHT STAYS ON, LEAK IN SUNROOF WHEN IT RAINS,
NHTSA complaint #10068859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 159,000 milesSAN Antonio, TXCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 1989 ACURA LEGEND, WHICH THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RELEASED UPON THE IMPACT OF THE INCIDENT. SHE WAS THEN CITATED FOR NOT WEARING A SAFETY BELT. I HAVE RECENTLY FOUND THAT THEY WERE RECALLED IN MAY OF 1995. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON A YEAR AGO.
NHTSA complaint #10056468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hesperia, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE MAKING A TURN AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING AND TOOK OFF GOING UP HILL. CONSUMER PUMPED BRAKES AND PULLED HAND BRAKE AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL CONSUMER THEN TURNED ENGINE OFF TO STOP. *AK JLG
NHTSA complaint #8017104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nerberth, PA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE PULLING INTO A SERVICE STATION, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8008277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
`Tacoma, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE TRAVELING AT HWY SPEED OF 60 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND INFORMED THAT IGNITION SWITCH HAD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT UP AND STALLED TWICE MORE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #894667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beverly Hills, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
SINCE L998 MY CAR HAS FAILED TO START AND AFTER REPEATED EFFORTS, WHEN THE ENGINE HAS COOLED OFF, IT WILL START UNEXPECTEDLY. I HAVE EVEN CALLED THE AAA AND BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVE, THE CAR WILL START ON ITS OWN. I HAVE REPLACED (AT MY EXPENSE) ONE STARTER; AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED (AT THEIR COST) ANOTHER). IN ADDITION, AS THEIR SUGGESTION, I DISENGAGED BY SECURITY SYSTEM, AS IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT A SHORT WAS CAUSING A MALFUNCTION, AND "FREEZING THE ENGINE." THE STARTING PROBLEM PERSISTS ON AN ON AGAIN/OFF AGAIN BASIS. MY CAR HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED, AT APPROPRIATE TIMES, BY THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I PURCHASED IT. THEY INSIST THAT "NOTHING APPEARS TO BE WRONG WITH THE CAR" BUT IT CONTINUES TO REFUSE TO START, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES, OR WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. THIS IS A SEVERE HAZARD TO ME AS I AM A SINGLE PERSON AND CAN FIND MYSELF IN A DISTANT LOCATION WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING CAR. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY ANOTHER ACURA LEGEND OWNER (ALSO 1989) THAT HE HAS HAD THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM, AND HAS RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE FROM OUR DEALERSHIP. WHEN QUESTIONED, THEY INSIST THAT THIS IS A UNIQUE PROBLEM, BUT I AM DOUBTFUL OF THIS IN LIGHT OF MY FRIEND'S EXPERIENCE.
NHTSA complaint #745662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beverly Hills, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
SINCE L998 MY CAR HAS FAILED TO START AND AFTER REPEATED EFFORTS, WHEN THE ENGINE HAS COOLED OFF, IT WILL START UNEXPECTEDLY. I HAVE EVEN CALLED THE AAA AND BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVE, THE CAR WILL START ON ITS OWN. I HAVE REPLACED (AT MY EXPENSE) ONE STARTER; AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED (AT THEIR COST) ANOTHER). IN ADDITION, AS THEIR SUGGESTION, I DISENGAGED BY SECURITY SYSTEM, AS IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT A SHORT WAS CAUSING A MALFUNCTION, AND "FREEZING THE ENGINE." THE STARTING PROBLEM PERSISTS ON AN ON AGAIN/OFF AGAIN BASIS. MY CAR HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED, AT APPROPRIATE TIMES, BY THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I PURCHASED IT. THEY INSIST THAT "NOTHING APPEARS TO BE WRONG WITH THE CAR" BUT IT CONTINUES TO REFUSE TO START, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES, OR WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. THIS IS A SEVERE HAZARD TO ME AS I AM A SINGLE PERSON AND CAN FIND MYSELF IN A DISTANT LOCATION WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING CAR. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY ANOTHER ACURA LEGEND OWNER (ALSO 1989) THAT HE HAS HAD THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM, AND HAS RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE FROM OUR DEALERSHIP. WHEN QUESTIONED, THEY INSIST THAT THIS IS A UNIQUE PROBLEM, BUT I AM DOUBTFUL OF THIS IN LIGHT OF MY FRIEND'S EXPERIENCE.
NHTSA complaint #745662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beverly Hills, CA
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
SINCE L998 MY CAR HAS FAILED TO START AND AFTER REPEATED EFFORTS, WHEN THE ENGINE HAS COOLED OFF, IT WILL START UNEXPECTEDLY. I HAVE EVEN CALLED THE AAA AND BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVE, THE CAR WILL START ON ITS OWN. I HAVE REPLACED (AT MY EXPENSE) ONE STARTER; AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED (AT THEIR COST) ANOTHER). IN ADDITION, AS THEIR SUGGESTION, I DISENGAGED BY SECURITY SYSTEM, AS IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT A SHORT WAS CAUSING A MALFUNCTION, AND "FREEZING THE ENGINE." THE STARTING PROBLEM PERSISTS ON AN ON AGAIN/OFF AGAIN BASIS. MY CAR HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED, AT APPROPRIATE TIMES, BY THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I PURCHASED IT. THEY INSIST THAT "NOTHING APPEARS TO BE WRONG WITH THE CAR" BUT IT CONTINUES TO REFUSE TO START, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES, OR WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. THIS IS A SEVERE HAZARD TO ME AS I AM A SINGLE PERSON AND CAN FIND MYSELF IN A DISTANT LOCATION WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING CAR. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY ANOTHER ACURA LEGEND OWNER (ALSO 1989) THAT HE HAS HAD THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM, AND HAS RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE FROM OUR DEALERSHIP. WHEN QUESTIONED, THEY INSIST THAT THIS IS A UNIQUE PROBLEM, BUT I AM DOUBTFUL OF THIS IN LIGHT OF MY FRIEND'S EXPERIENCE.
NHTSA complaint #745662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, ARCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
MY FRIEND AND I WERE TRAVELING ON A FOUR LANE ROAD IN THE RAIN GOING 5 MILES UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT. TWO CARS IN FRONT OF US SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND I PROCEEDED TO DO THE SAME THING. FIRST, MY BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME, HAVING ABS I SHOULD HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM, SECOND AS WE HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF USE TWO THINGS HAPPENDED, ONE MY PASSANGER'S SEATBELT DID NOT TAKE HOLD AND HE ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL WITH MINOR INJURIES. SECOND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING BE TO STRIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WITH NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #743856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beverly Hills, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
REPEATED DIFFICULTY IN STARTING THE CAR. STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACES TWICE/ SECURITY SYSTEM HAS BEEN DEACTIVATED. PROBLEM PERSISTS.
NHTSA complaint #743324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beverly Hills, CA
STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
REPEATED DIFFICULTY IN STARTING THE CAR. STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACES TWICE/ SECURITY SYSTEM HAS BEEN DEACTIVATED. PROBLEM PERSISTS.
NHTSA complaint #743324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ormond Beach, FL
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
RADIO GOES ON AND OFF, BELLS RING, DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. VEHICLE STOPS. LOOKS LIKE A DEAD BATTERY, BUT IS NOT. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER THREE MONTHS THIS TIME. NEITHER THE HONDA DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT DEALER CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM IS ONGOING OCCURRING ABOUT EVERY THREE MONTHS. HONDA DEALER TOLD US CAR WAS REPAIRED. WE WENT TO PICK IT UP, AND IT WOULDN'T START. HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 1998.
NHTSA complaint #739594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ormond Beach, FL
INTERIOR LIGHTING
RADIO GOES ON AND OFF, BELLS RING, DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. VEHICLE STOPS. LOOKS LIKE A DEAD BATTERY, BUT IS NOT. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER THREE MONTHS THIS TIME. NEITHER THE HONDA DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT DEALER CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM IS ONGOING OCCURRING ABOUT EVERY THREE MONTHS. HONDA DEALER TOLD US CAR WAS REPAIRED. WE WENT TO PICK IT UP, AND IT WOULDN'T START. HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 1998.
NHTSA complaint #739594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ormond Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
RADIO GOES ON AND OFF, BELLS RING, DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. VEHICLE STOPS. LOOKS LIKE A DEAD BATTERY, BUT IS NOT. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER THREE MONTHS THIS TIME. NEITHER THE HONDA DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT DEALER CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM IS ONGOING OCCURRING ABOUT EVERY THREE MONTHS. HONDA DEALER TOLD US CAR WAS REPAIRED. WE WENT TO PICK IT UP, AND IT WOULDN'T START. HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 1998.
NHTSA complaint #739594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainesville, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHEN DRIVING/APPLYING BRAKES/ ACCELERATING, OR EVEN MAKING TURNS COULD SMELL FUEL FUMES. CONTACTED DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP.
NHTSA complaint #863172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Amher, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
BOTH DOORS AND ONE WINDOW ARE INOPERATIVE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. NLM
NHTSA complaint #551482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Amher, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
BOTH DOORS AND ONE WINDOW ARE INOPERATIVE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. NLM
NHTSA complaint #551482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Amher, NY
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE RADIO ANTENNAE WOULD NOT RETRACT IN OR EXTEND COMPLETELY DUE TO POOR DESIGN. NLM
NHTSA complaint #551482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DES Moines, IA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE SEATBELTS (ALL 5 SEATBELTS) FAILED TO RESPONSD TO A FORCEFUL BREAK. I CONTACTED A DEALER IN CALIFORNIA YEARS AGO, BUT THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. MY QUESTION IS WHAT DOT CAN DO TO PROTECT US CUSTOMERS FROM IMPORTED CARS WHICH FAIL TO EQUIP PROPER SEATBELT SYSTEMS? AND TO WHOM THE CUSTOMER CAN CONTACT? BECAUSE I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT ACURA MANUFACTURE THRU THEIR WEB PAGE, BUT THEY PROVIDE NO FEEDBACK PORTION.
NHTSA complaint #719489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Ridge, CA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE WAITING AT A FOUR-WAY STOP SIGN. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #852989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethesda, MD
SEATS
SEAT HAS STUCK, IT CANT BE ADJUSTED APPROPRIATELY FOR THE DRIVER. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #852726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Fransisco, CACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE INTO A 2 INCH POTHOLE, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG TO DEPLOY WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #831926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cole, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #539696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.