FaultScore

1990 Honda Accord electrical problems

28 of the 229 complaints about the 1990 Honda Accord are about the electrical system — 12% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 120,000 miles.

F

28

Complaints

0

Crashes

7

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Ignition 12 42.9%
Switch 7 25.0%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 3 10.7%
Front Underhood 1 3.6%
Wiring 1 3.6%
Module 1 3.6%
Interior/Under Dash 1 3.6%
Starter Assembly 1 3.6%
Electrical System 1 3.6%

Electrical System across every Honda Accord year

1990 28 0.7%
1991 17 0.4%
1992 26 0.6%
1993 28 0.7%
1994 36 0.9%
1995 46 1.1%
1996 44 1.1%
1997 101 2.5%
1998 319 7.8%
1999 398 9.7%
2000 177 4.3%
2001 79 1.9%
2002 71 1.7%
2003 148 3.6%
2004 152 3.7%
2005 96 2.3%
2006 42 1.0%
2007 60 1.5%
2008 108 2.6%
2009 44 1.1%
2010 34 0.8%
2011 18 0.4%
2012 33 0.8%
2013 417 10.2%
2014 380 9.3%
2015 237 5.8%
2016 192 4.7%
2017 150 3.7%
2018 285 6.9%
2019 100 2.4%
2020 50 1.2%
2021 56 1.4%
2022 90 2.2%
2023 23 0.6%
2024 23 0.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 120,000 miles Torrance, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR STREET WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED. I REACTED QUICKLY AND WAS ABLE TO COAST AND PULL OFF ONTO A SIDE STREET WITHOUT INTERRUPTING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I BARELY MADE THE TURN WITHOUT THE POWER STEERING. I DID SOME INVESTIGATING AND FOUND THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD SOME BURNED CONTACTS. THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER.

NHTSA complaint #10586158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kailua, HI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

CONSUMER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. ALSO, SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT IN THE BACK WINDOW SHORTED OUT. THIS CAUSED A WIRE TO IGNITE AND THERE WERE FLAMES AND BLACK SMOKE. THE INTENSE HEAT CAUSED THE REAR WINDSHIELD TO EXPLODE. PLEASE HELP AS SHE STATES SHE NEEDS HELP TO REPAIR VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10083439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 97,000 miles Columbia, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH FAULTY.

NHTSA complaint #10060059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 133,000 miles Irvine, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. *AK *TT

NHTSA complaint #10046350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bloomington, IN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE DEVICE THAT LOCKS THE SHIFT AND STEERING BECOMES INOPERATIVE DURING COLD WEATHER. THIS CAUSES THE KEY NOT TO RELEASE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. ALSO THE SHIFTER WILL NOT FUNCTIONING.

NHTSA complaint #785731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Diamond BAR, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

1ST REPLACEMENT OF SAME PART DONE BY DEALER AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE REPORTED ITERMITTENT PROBLEMS PRIOR TO END OF WARRANTY. SECOND FAILURE OF SAME PART OCCURRED WITHOUT PRIOR INDICATIONS OR WARNINGS.

NHTSA complaint #760580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orinda, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

HONDA HAS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM, BUT IT HAS EXPIRED. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.

NHTSA complaint #757249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bloomington, IN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE DEVICE THAT LOCKS THE SHIFT AND STEERING BECOMES INOPERATIVE DURING COLD WEATHER. THIS CAUSES THE KEY NOT TO RELEASE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. ALSO THE SHIFTER WILL NOT FUNCTIONING.

NHTSA complaint #785731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lexington, SC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

THIS SENSOR PROBLEM LOCKS THE GEAR SHIFTER IN THE PARK POSITION AND ALSO PROHIBITS THE DRIVER FROM REMOVING THE KEY FROM THS IGNITION SWITCH. THIS PROBLEMS STARTED IN THE EARLY YEARS FO THE VEHICLE AND HAVE PROGRESSED WITH THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE BUT NO PROBLEMS WERE DISCOVERED. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER HONDA OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE EXACT SYMPTONS.

NHTSA complaint #738544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tulsa, OK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

UNABLE TO RELEASE KEY FROM IGNITION SWITCH DURING COLD WEATHER SEASON. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #872861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Birmingham, AL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE ORIGINAL DISTRIBUTER WAS REPLACED IN 1995 - AND REIMBURSED BY HONDA. THE REPLACEMENT FAILED IN SEPTEMBER 1998 AND WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. THE THIRD DISTRIBUTER IS BEGINNING TO SHOW SIGNS OF THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE NOW (MOMENTARY TOTAL POWER LOSS - AND OCCASIONAL TOTAL LOSS, WITH RESTORATION AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES.)

NHTSA complaint #713923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mohegan Lake, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE. ABOUT FOUR HOURS LATER, WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 200 YARDS, A BURNING SMELL THEN FUMES APPEARED. WHEN HOOD WAS OPENED THE CONSUMER SAW FLAMES. ALTERNATOR, POSSIBLY WIRING HARNESS SYSTEM DEFECT, CAUSED THE FIRE. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #827442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Bedford, MA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WHILE PARKING/TESTING AND TURNING SIGNALS, UNDER THE DASH BEGAN TO SMOKE, AND FLAMES STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTCTED.

NHTSA complaint #830034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mitchellvi, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

DISTRIBUTOR FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.

NHTSA complaint #511231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kaysville, UT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER.

NHTSA complaint #509160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Virginia B, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

DISTRIBUTOR FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #534885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Shelby, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

IGNITION SWITCH STICKS AND WILL NOT RELEASE SEAT BELT.

NHTSA complaint #527412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vestal, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

FIRE BEGAN IN ALTERNATOR WHILE VEHICLE WAS IDLING.

NHTSA complaint #527625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THE VEHICLE'S DISTRIBUTOR BROKE. CAN'T START THE VEHICLE. HAS HAD IT REPLACED ONCE ON A RECALL, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED.

NHTSA complaint #815578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ruleville, MS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

STARTER FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #517462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ruleville, MS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

COMPUTER FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #517462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Flushing, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

INTERMITTENT STALLING DUE TO FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH.

NHTSA complaint #601995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Keizer, OR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

FAILURE OF THE ENGINE, WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF.

NHTSA complaint #800798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

UPON PARKING, MOMENTS LATER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER HOOD, DUE TO ELECTRICAL SHORT.

NHTSA complaint #986667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rochester, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

DRIVING VEHICLE, PARKED VEHICLE IN COMPANY GARAGE, GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD, LIFTED THE HOOD OF VEHICLE, NOTICED FLAMES. *AK

NHTSA complaint #985881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Savannah, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

DRIVER IS UNABLE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, KEY DOES COME OUT AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES.

NHTSA complaint #980990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Merrimack, NH Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

DROVE ONE TENTH OF MILE; STOPPED CAR; PUMPED GAS; SMELLED ODOR; TURNED ON IGNITION; NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERHOOD; FIRE CAUSED BY FAULTY ALTERNATOR. TT

NHTSA complaint #962138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Field, NJ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, BAD CONNECTIONS. CABLE FROM IGNITION SWITCH DID NOT FUNCTION, REPLACED. TT

NHTSA complaint #960965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1990 Honda Accord problems

← Full 1990 Honda Accord report