26 of the
249 complaints about the 1992 Honda Accord are about the
electrical system — 10% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
120,000 miles.
HORN IS DESIGNED POORLY WHICH HAS CAUSED SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO HONK MY HORN AT A CRUCIAL TIME. INSTEAD OF BEING ABLE TO PRESS THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO HONK THE HORN, THERE ARE TWO SMALL BUTTONS AT THE 9 AND 3 POSITION THAT APPEAR TO BE POSITIONED TO PRESS WITH YOUR THUMB- IF YOUR HANDS ARE AT THE 9 & 3 POSITION. IN AN EMERGENT SITUATION, THE FIRST INCLINATION IS TO HIT THE MIDDLE OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO ACTIVATE THE HORN, NOT TO SEARCH FOR EITHER OF THE TWO LITTLE HORN BUTTONS. IN THE LATEST INCIDENT, I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY ON A LEFT TURN ARROW, A CAR GOING STRAIGHT WENT THROUGH THE RED LIGHT AND NEARLY BROADSIDED ME. I WAS POUNDING ALL OVER THE STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE I COULDN'T FIND THE HORN.
NHTSA complaint #10664144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesPensacola, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE 1992 HONDA ACCORD. I HAVE EXPERIENCED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE THAT WILL GENERALLY REQUIRE OVERHAUL OR REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER SEVERAL ON-LINE RESEARCHES ON HONDA ACCORDS 1990 TO DATE, I FIND NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, I.E., ACCELERATION FAILURE. WHEN ENGINE GETS HOT, THE CAR HAS ACCELERATION FAILURE. EVEN FURTHER RESEARCH REVEALS ?CERTIFIED TRANSMISSION MECHANICS REVEALED THAT THIS KNOWN PREMATURE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS DUE TO AN ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW. IN ADDITION, ?THIS DESIGN FLAW CONSISTS OF THE HONDA ACCORD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT HAVING OUTSIDE ACCESS TO THE METAL SCREEN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FILTER WHICH BECOMES CLOGGED WITH GUNK AND METAL SHAVINGS, THUS STARVING THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSES OVERHEATING, AND FURTHER DETERIORATION AND PREMATURE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE.? THERE IS NO WAY TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE METAL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FILTER BECAUSE THERE IS NO TRANSMISSION PAN TO UNBOLT AND ALLOW ACCESS. COMPLETE DISASSEMBLE OF THE TRANSMISSION IS REQUIRED. THIS SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WILL BE REPORTED TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) DECLARING THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10639937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Geneva, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR IS GOT SOME ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN THE WIRE MY MAINTENANCE SAID, AND NOW IT HAS A PROBLEM SHIFTING INTO ALL THE GEARS, IT STALLS WHEN YOU GO TO TAKE OFF, IT DON'T SEEM LIKE IT HAS ANY POWER BEHIND IT. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU GO TO TAKE OFF IT STALLS.
NHTSA complaint #10629087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesPinole, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ABS LITE CAME ON,I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY WARRANTY ON THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10605077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 271,000 milesTawas City, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
A FAULTY TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO AT RANDOM SHIFT IN TO AN IMPROPER GEAR OR INTO NEUTRAL AT OR DURING TAKE OFF FROM STOP. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER WHEN TRYING TO JOIN TRAFFIC, OR ONCE ALREADY IN TRAFFIC. TCU WOULD ALSO FAIL TO LOCK OR UNLOCK T/C WHEN IT WAS DESIGNED TO. ON ONE OCCASION THE TCU LOCKED THE T/C AT A STOP LIGHT, STALLING THE ENGINE IN TRAFFIC. TCU FAILED TO ALERT THE DRIVER OF A PROBLEM THROUGH THE D4 OR CHECK ENGINE LAMPS, AND PRODUCED NON EXISTENT CODES WHEN PUT INTO DIAGNOSTIC MODE.
NHTSA complaint #10573177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 147,000 milesWaldorf, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
1992 HONDA ACCORD EX WITH 149380 MILES. TRAVELING ALONG HIGHWAY AT 60 MPG AT 0545 IN THE MORNING CAR THEN DIES IN TRAFFIC. ABLE TO COAST TO THE RIGHT AND STOPPED UNTIL WRECKER SHOWED UP. WEATHER WAS 16 DEGREES AND CAR WAS RUNNING GREAT UNTIL THEN. AT THE DEALER, NOTICE THE HOOD WAS BURNT. SERVICE PERSON STATED IT WAS A BAD WIRE IN THE COIL AND/OR IGNITION. REPLACED WIRES, COIL, IGNITION,BREATHER TUBE. I WAS LUCKY. I NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE SO I'LL VOICE MY CONCERN ABOUT THE 92 COIL/IGNITION FIRES ON-LINE. USED PARTS WERE BURNED. 92 HONDA IS A GREAT CAR EXCEPT WITH THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10107629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesGlen Allen, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ENGINE WILL NOT START (EVEN TURN OVER) WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR GETS TOO HOT. THIS OCCURS ON ALL HOT DAYS. I CURRENTLY HAVE TO LEAVE ALL THE WINDOWS COMPLETELY DOWN, THE SUNROOF CRACKED (HOT AIR RISES), AND MY SILVER SUNSHADE ON THE OUTSIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD SO THAT NO SUN CAN EVEN PENETRATE THE WINDSHIELD GLASS. IF I DON'T DO THIS, I WILL BE STUCK WHERE EVER I'M PARKED UNTIL SUN DOWN. IF CAR WON'T START, I HAVE TO OPEN ALL DOORS INCLUDING HATCHBACK AND WAIT FOR INTERIOR CABIN TEMPERATURE TO COOL DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10023676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fremont, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE STALLING DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH MANUFACTURER PART# P-N-0102-P13-A12, H-C-3859030. DEALER HAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
NHTSA complaint #10006766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cheverly, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO PARK THERE WAS A LOUD SCRAPING SOUND. CONSUMER TRIED TO SHUT OFF ENGINE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER HOOD, THERE WAS A FIRE ON LEFT SIDE OF ENGINE. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8006143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Rafael, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER BUT WOULDN'T START FROM PARKED POSITION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE DISTRIBUTER IGNITOR AND ROTOR. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AGAIN GOING UP A STEEP GRADE. THE IGNITOR AND ROTOR WERE ONCE AGAIN REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8006031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONSUME RWAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30MPH AND VEHICLE STOPPED, TOTALLY SHUTTING DOWN. HE HEARD A CLICK IN ENGINE SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHO WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. DISTRIBUTOR WENT OUT.
NHTSA complaint #886023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Honea Path, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TROUBLE TURNING IGNITION WITH THE KEY. HAS HAD CHARGING SYSTEM CHECKED, HAVE TO MAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE CAR WILL START HAVE ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION TAKEN IT TO PIEDMONT HONDA, ANDERSON, SC UNABLE TO GET ANY SERVICE OR A CHECK OF THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR OPENING HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR HAS BROKEN REPEATEDLY HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES THIS IS A COSTLY REPLACEMENT THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE THERMOSTAT KNOB CRACKS REPEATEDLY THIS ALSO HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. MANUFACTURER NEED TO MAKE A BETTER KNOB.
NHTSA complaint #738505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glenn Gardner, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
CAR RUNS AND THEN IT STALLS. CONSUMER HAS TO STARTED IT BACK UP. THEN, SOMETIMES IT SHAKES AND SHIMMIES. TOOK TO DEALER WHO REPLACED STARTER RELAY.
NHTSA complaint #866153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Louis, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CONCERNS WITH ENGINE HESITATION OR STUMBLE CAN BE FELT UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION BETWEEN 1500 AND 2000 RPM. DEALER SAYS THAT THE DISTRIBUTOR IS "BAD."
NHTSA complaint #723507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakewood, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE NOW STALLS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR EVEN THOUGH LOW MILEAGE, HONDA IN OHIO CONTACTED, THEY WILL NOT REPAIR EITHER, LOW MILEAGE BECAUSE I AM A 100% DISABLED VETERAN. NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY ONLY VEHICLE AFTER IT STALLED ON THE FREEWAY AT 55MPH. ALMOST HAD COLLISSION, WAS ABLE TO GET TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND VEHICLE RESTARTED. HOWEVER, DISTRIBUTOR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER OR STALL. DEALER STATED THAT IT IS MOST LIKELY THE DISTRIBUTOR HOUSING BEARING. A COSTLY REPAIR. EVERYONE I KNOW THAT HAS AN OLDER ACCORD HAD THIS PROBLEM. MOST HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. WHY NO RECALL !!! I LOOKED UP OVER A HUNDRED COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE ALONE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY FAIL ON THE HIGHWAY AT ANY SPEED, COULD RESULT IN DEATH. EVEN WRECKING YARDS ARE ASKING 150-180 DOLLARS FOR A USED DISTRIBUTOR HOUSING, DUE TO A HIGH DEMAND FOR THE 1991-1993 ACCORDS. DEALER KNOWS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT USUALLY APPEARS ON THE 1990-1993 MODELS USUALLY JUST AFTER THE EXTENDED WARRENTY ENDS. CONSUMER IS FORCED TO PAY FOR COSTLY DEFECTIVE ITEMS. DISTRIBUTOR HOUSING SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 150,000-300,000 MILES. UNABLE TO AFFORD REPAIR AND STUCK AT HOME. CAN'T EVEN PICK UP NEEDED MEDICATIONS. I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHEN I RECEIVED THE EXTENDED WARRENTY IN 1996, WOULDN'T REPLACE DIST HOUSING BECAUSE APPEARED NORMAL. NOW IS BAD AND WON'T FIX BECAUSE WARRENTIES ARE TOO RESTRICTIVE. PLEASE HELP. SHOULD BE A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #724367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bensalem, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CLEANING OUT MY GLOVE COMPARTMENT, AFTER THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED, I FOUND A HONDA WARRENTY EXTENSION FOR DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY. MY FIRST FAILURE OCCURED 3/17 98 AT 73,000 MILES AND MY SECOND FAILURE HAPPENED ON 11/09/99 AT 97,622. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY THE SECOND TIME. MY WIFE AND I ARE ON A HEAVY TRAVELLED STREET, THE CAR ENGINE STOPS WHILE DRIVING ON A HILL WITH A BLIND CURVE RIGHT BEHIND US, AND ANGEL HELPED US GET THE CAR TO START TO GET TO SAFETY. I WILL BE CONTACTING HONDA RIGHT AFTER I AM DONE HERE, TO SEE IF I CAN GET REFUNDED THE MONEY I SPEND FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE I FORGOT ABOUT THE WARRENTY. I DID NOT TAKE IT TOMY DEALER, I TOOK IT TO MY MEHCANIC WHO I HAVE HAPPILY HAD FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS. THE FIRST REPAIR COST ME 258.00.
NHTSA complaint #714789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Iron Mountain, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DISTRIBUTOR BEARING FAILURE CAUSED VERY ERRATIC ENGINE PROBLEMS, SOMETIMES MIS-DIAGNOSED AS DIRTY FUEL, OR INJECTORS DIRTY, ETC. HONDA REFUSES TO GO GOOD FOR REMBURSEMENT OF ANY AMOUNT! REBUILD UNIT RUNS APPROX. $230.00 PLUS LABOR.
NHTSA complaint #713296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WHEN RUNNING A/C OVER 45 MINUTES IT BLOWS THE FUSES TO THE HEADLIGHTS.CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #843148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Richland Hills, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
FIRE BROKE OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOTHING WAS TURNED ON. MANIFACTURER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #841786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brunswick, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DOOR - DRIVER DOOR LOCKED FAILED. ACCESS AND ESCAPE IMPOSSIBLE. ENGINE - OIL SEAL FAILURE; CRANK AND CAM AT 109,000 DISTRIBUTOR - FAILED AT 92,925. JUST BEYOND MFGR'S LETTER NOTIFYING ME THAT IT WILL FAIL AROUND 75,000 MILES. SUSPENSION - BOTH STRUT SPRINGS FAILED AT 95,000 MILES
NHTSA complaint #700060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.