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.
Feb 1995peak 4Sep 2016
Recalls on the 1990 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 79,580 milesRedwood City, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 ACURA LEGEND. WHILE BACKING UP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES CEASED TO FUNCTION WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,580.
NHTSA complaint #10910312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN WHICH CAUSED MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY CAUSEING SWELLING TO MY FACE AND THE FUMES FROM THE AIR BAG ITSELF WAS VERY STRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10605981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXCrash1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN WHICH CAUSED MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY CAUSEING SWELLING TO MY FACE AND THE FUMES FROM THE AIR BAG ITSELF WAS VERY STRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10605981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXCrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN WHICH CAUSED MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY CAUSEING SWELLING TO MY FACE AND THE FUMES FROM THE AIR BAG ITSELF WAS VERY STRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10605981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POT, ID1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
THE SPRINGS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO HOLD MY TRUNK LID OPEN AREN'T STRONG ENOUGH AND THE LID CLOSES SUDDENLY WHEN THERE IS A BREEZE OR IT'S PARKED ON A INCLINE. IT PROBABLY HAPPENS AT LEAST 5 TIMES A MONTH, OR MORE FREQUENTLY DEPENDING UPON THE WEATHER OR WHERE I'M PARKING. I'VE BEEN THUMPED IN THE HEAD AND NECK.
NHTSA complaint #10005429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wylie, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH ENGINE TURNED OFF AND KEYS WERE OUT OF THE IGNITION. 20 MINUTES LATER,HEARD ALARM SOUND. WENT OUTSIDE AND VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE WHILE MOTOR WAS RUNNING. CAUSE NOT KNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8003879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 79,580 milesRedwood City, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 ACURA LEGEND. WHILE BACKING UP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES CEASED TO FUNCTION WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,580.
NHTSA complaint #10910312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN WHICH CAUSED MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY CAUSEING SWELLING TO MY FACE AND THE FUMES FROM THE AIR BAG ITSELF WAS VERY STRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10605981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXCrash1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN WHICH CAUSED MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY CAUSEING SWELLING TO MY FACE AND THE FUMES FROM THE AIR BAG ITSELF WAS VERY STRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10605981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXCrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN WHICH CAUSED MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY CAUSEING SWELLING TO MY FACE AND THE FUMES FROM THE AIR BAG ITSELF WAS VERY STRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10605981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 milesMadison, WI
STEERING
I HAVE HAD THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED IN 2001, 2002 AND 2003 WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES AND AROUND A YEAR OF WEAR. THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE REPLACED, THE DEALER DID THEM AND PUT IN DEFECTIVE PARTS. AND REFUSED TO REPLACE THEM EVEN AFTER ADMITTING THEIR DEFECTIVENESS-- OF COURSE THE SERVICE REP DENIES HAVING ADMITTED THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10070923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 milesMadison, WI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE HAD THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED IN 2001, 2002 AND 2003 WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES AND AROUND A YEAR OF WEAR. THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE REPLACED, THE DEALER DID THEM AND PUT IN DEFECTIVE PARTS. AND REFUSED TO REPLACE THEM EVEN AFTER ADMITTING THEIR DEFECTIVENESS-- OF COURSE THE SERVICE REP DENIES HAVING ADMITTED THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10070923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 milesMadison, WI
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
I HAVE HAD THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED IN 2001, 2002 AND 2003 WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES AND AROUND A YEAR OF WEAR. THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE REPLACED, THE DEALER DID THEM AND PUT IN DEFECTIVE PARTS. AND REFUSED TO REPLACE THEM EVEN AFTER ADMITTING THEIR DEFECTIVENESS-- OF COURSE THE SERVICE REP DENIES HAVING ADMITTED THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10070923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 milesMadison, WI
STRUCTURE
I HAVE HAD THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED IN 2001, 2002 AND 2003 WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES AND AROUND A YEAR OF WEAR. THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE REPLACED, THE DEALER DID THEM AND PUT IN DEFECTIVE PARTS. AND REFUSED TO REPLACE THEM EVEN AFTER ADMITTING THEIR DEFECTIVENESS-- OF COURSE THE SERVICE REP DENIES HAVING ADMITTED THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10070923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TX
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
SEAT BELTS IN THE REAR JUST POPPED OUT AND CONSUMER CANNOT USE THEM. WHAT CAN SHE DO?
NHTSA complaint #10024390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POT, ID1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
THE SPRINGS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO HOLD MY TRUNK LID OPEN AREN'T STRONG ENOUGH AND THE LID CLOSES SUDDENLY WHEN THERE IS A BREEZE OR IT'S PARKED ON A INCLINE. IT PROBABLY HAPPENS AT LEAST 5 TIMES A MONTH, OR MORE FREQUENTLY DEPENDING UPON THE WEATHER OR WHERE I'M PARKING. I'VE BEEN THUMPED IN THE HEAD AND NECK.
NHTSA complaint #10005429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME. MR
NHTSA complaint #768050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Worth, FL
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
10/30/99 WIRING FOR RADIO/SPEAKERS BURNED. WORLD OF SOUND REBUILT ALL FOUR AMPS; TOTAL COST $728.17. 8/24/02 SAME BURNING SMELL, SAME FAILURE. WORLD OF SOUND REPAIRED/REPLACED REAR SPEAKERS AT TOTAL COST OF $360.40.
NHTSA complaint #766291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wylie, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH ENGINE TURNED OFF AND KEYS WERE OUT OF THE IGNITION. 20 MINUTES LATER,HEARD ALARM SOUND. WENT OUTSIDE AND VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE WHILE MOTOR WAS RUNNING. CAUSE NOT KNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8003879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chelsea, MA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH TURNED THE WHEEL SHARPLY AND DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #8002220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alhambra, CA
TIRES
1 YEAR AGO WHILE I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS UNSTEADY. I WAS CLOSE TO HOME, ABOUT 20 FEET, I LET THE CAR ROLL DOWN HILL TO MY HOME. I CHECKED THE TIRES & TO MY HORROR SAW THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD FORMED A LARGE BLEB, LIKE A LARGE BALLOON ON THE OUTER SIDE. I RAN TO CALL MY HUSBAND & THE TIRE BLEW UP. I HAD THE TIRE CHANGED AS I WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. NOW, I NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE IS FORMING A SIMILAR BLEB, ON THE OUTER SIDE. THESE TIRES WERE BOUGHT FROM PRICE CLUB. I TOOK THE CAR TO PRICE CLUB. I WAS TOLD THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I EXPLAINED THAT I WOULD PAY FOR THE TIRE, BUT REQUESTED THEM TO INFORM MICHELIN REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THEY REFUSED. I CALLED MICHELIN ON 9/18/00 & SPOKE TO MS. MILLIE/CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM & WANTED THE TIRE INSPECTED FOR ANY DEFECTS. SHE SAID THAT MICHELIN NEVER PRODUCED ANY DEFECTIVE TIRES & THAT THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED ALL THE TIME, DUE TO IMPACT. SHE REFUSED TO LOOK IN TO THIS MATTER. I AM WRITING TO YOU, BECAUSE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MYSELF AS WELL AS FOR OTHERS. ONE YEAR AGO, IF THE TIRE HAD BLOWN UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED & IN ADDITION, OTHERS ON THE ROAD AT THAT SAMETIME WOULD HAVE ALSO BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. IT IS WORRISOME TO ME THAT MICHELIN DOES NOT WANT TO INVESTIGATE THIS. MORE WORRISOME IS MICHELIN'S STATEMENT THAT " THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME". I AM WRITING TO YOU BECAUSE, THIS IS HAPPENING TO ME TWICE. PLEASE HELP ME & PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. (DOT NUMBER: B9P2B7KX TIRESIZE: 205/60R15)
NHTSA complaint #732608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Narvon, PA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
STEEL BELTS WORN THROUGH WITH TREAD SEPARATING FROM TIRE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2UNJBR025 TIRE SIZE: P205/60R15 )
NHTSA complaint #732576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM HAS PERMANENTLY FAILED AND THE PUMP RUNS CONSTANTLY MAKING A CLICKING NOISE. I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND NOTHING WAS EVER DONE ABOUT IT. THE DEALER TOLD ME TO PUMP THE BRAKES REALLY HARD TO GET THE ABS LIGHT TO GO OFF AND USUALLY IT WORKED, BUT NOW I AM TOLD THE ABS SYSTEM HAS COMPLETELY FAILED AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. I HAVE CONTACTED ACURA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE DEALER BUT THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THERE HAVE BEEN 4 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ABOUT THE ABS SYSTEM ON THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP!!
NHTSA complaint #725379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM IN THIS CAR BEGAN OCCURRING WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WE HAVE WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION STATING THAT. NOW, THE ABS SYSTEM IS FAILING AND MAKES A CONSTANT NOISE EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE HAD IT FLUSHED AND LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER. ON FEBRUARY 3, 2000, MY HUSBAND LUIS AGUILAR SENT A LETTER TO ACURA EXPLAINING OUR COMPLAINT AND EVEN THOUGH WE GOT A QUESTIONNAIRE ASKING HOW OUR COMPLAINT WAS HANDLED WE NEVER GOT A RESPONSE FROM ACURA.
NHTSA complaint #724217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS IS THE 2ND TRANSMISSION I'VE PUT IN THIS CAR --MILES UNDER20,000
NHTSA complaint #714023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; INTERMITTENTLY WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. THIS HAPPENS DURING NORMAL BRAKING, NO INCLEMENT WEATHER AND ANY TYPE OF ROAD SURFACE. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE BRAKE MODULATOR WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #848763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centerville, OHCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
LATE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT DURING A COLLISION, CAUSING TRAUMATIC INJURY TO DRIVER'S EYE. 3 OTHER PASSENGERS WERE NOT HARMED (NO AIRBAGS). AIRBAG CAUSED ALL DAMAGE, INCLUDING LOSS OF VISION IN RIGHT EYE OF DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #705714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockville, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHEN BRAKING THE ENGINE FAILED TO DECELERATE AND WHEN SHIFTED INTO NUETRAL RAN AT FULL THROTTLE. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE SHUT OFF TO STOP THE PROBLEM. CAR RAN FINE AFTERWARDS. ROSENTHAL ACURA DEALERSHIP CHECK ENGINE AND COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR FIND ANY PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #701534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksboro, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE FAILURE. ABS LIGHT COMES ON AFTER SEVERAL MILES OF DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #541455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kalamazoo, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
STARTER FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #517800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Meadow, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ONCE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, THERE WAS SEVERE DAMAGE DONE TO THE DRIVER'S FACE.
NHTSA complaint #812375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.