28 of the
222 complaints about the 1993 Honda Accord are about the
electrical system — 13% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
169,500 miles.
IN SEVERAL SEPARATE INCIDENTS, WHILE DRIVING AT OVER 60MPH ON BUSY HIGHWAY, THE CAR ENGINE SUDDENLY CUT OUT AND WENT DEAD, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE SITUATIONS ALL REQUIRED TRYING TO COAST TO A SAFE PLACE ON THE ROAD SHOULDER, STEERING WITH NO POWER ASSIST, BRAKING WITH NO POWER ASSIST, AND SIGNALING AND MANUEVERING TO SAFELY, THREADING OUR WAY THROUGH TRUCK AND CAR TRAFFIC TO SAFETY. VERY HARROWING. ENGINE WOULD RESTART IN 1-2 HRS AFTER IT COOLED DOWN. BY THEN THE CAR WAS IN A GARAGE (HONDA, IN ONE INSTANCE - THEY CLAIMED NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AND PUT US BACK ON ROAD WHEN CAR WAS ABLE TO RESTART, AND CLAIMED THIS TO BE A MYSTERY TO THEM - YET, WE HAVE LATER LEARNED THAT HONDA HAD IN THEIR FILES SOME INTERNAL WARNING LETTER - (TSB 95049, ISSUED DEC 95, 'TITLE- DISTRIBUTOR, UPDATED UNIT) AT THE TIME OF OUR SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEMS (2012 - 2014). A MECHANIC TOLD US CONFIDENTIALLY THAT HE WAS AWARE THAT THERE WAS PROBABLY SOMETHING WRONG ON THE DISTRIBUTOR, AND WE SHOULD GET IT REPLACED. WE WENT TO HONDA DEALER/GARAGE AND REQUESTED THIS REPLACE, AND THEY CLAIMED IT WAS NOT NECESSARY. FROM THEIR VIEW AND WE HAD TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT. SO WE DID, TO SAVE OUR LIVES!
NHTSA complaint #11132333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesHood River, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT POWER STEERING/BRAKES THE EMERGENCY FLASHER AND TURN SIGNAL ALSO DIDN'T WORK I HAD NO DASH LIGHTS WITH THE KEY ON AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON WHEN I TURNED THE KEY AND EVERYTHING WORKED AGAIN SINCE THEN IT HAS LOST POWER BUT ONLY FOR A HALF SECOND ---- JUST ENOUGH TO CAUSE A JERK MY HONDA DEALER SAYS I NEED A NEW IGNITION SWITCH THEY ARE GRIFFITH MOTORS IN THE DALLES OR PAT DONNELLY
NHTSA complaint #10296818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MIFire1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1993 HONDA ACCORD TRUNK CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A PASSERBY. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS BURNED WHILE TRYING TO THE PUT THE FIRE OUT. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0725-90
NHTSA complaint #10284352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,975 milesMarietta, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION IGNITER FAILURE: I WAS JUST DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE ONTO RAMP AT TIME. CALLED AAA SERVICE AND VEHICLE TOWED TO ED VOYLES HONDA, MARIETTA, GA. 30067. MECHANIC DETERMINED IGNITION IGNITER FAILED AND REPLACED. HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ACCORDING TO HONDA DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10222067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,000 milesLeominster, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TIRE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE ENTIRE DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10167868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 152,000 milesJoliet, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
1993 HONDA ACCORD DIED IN TRAFFIC. IGNITION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10148306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 1993 HONDA ACCORD. FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS SHE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH HER IGNITION SWITCH . CAR WOULD NOT START. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FIVE TIMES, AND SPENT SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS, BUT DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE VEHICLE. TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE CONTACT HAD TO KEEP IT RUNNING BECAUSE SHE WAS AFRAID THAT IT WILL NOT START UP. SHE WAS UNCERTAIN OF THE INCIDENT DATE.
NHTSA complaint #10130091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 187,000 milesCumming, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING DURING RUSH HOUR 06/01/2004 THE ENGINE OF MY HONDA ACCORD LX 93 COMPLETELY STALLED. MY CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED ( I WAS ON THE LEFT LANE). LUCKILY ANOTHER DRIVER STOPPED TO ASSIST ME TO MOVE MY CAR TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. CALLED AAA TO GET MY CAR TO THE LEFT. HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP. THE IGNITER WAS REPLACED AND NOW APPEARS TO BE RUNNING OKAY.
NHTSA complaint #10075270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bronx, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE HAD A NEW BATTERY, BUT DASH LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER, AND VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE SAME EVENT ALSO HAPPENED 1 WEEK LATER. WHEN IT DID THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10042472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Mateo, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON FREEWAY, CAR ENGINE TURNS OFF. REPAIR IS AT A COST OF $460.
NHTSA complaint #752036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Mateo, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITOR UNIT FAILED COSTING ME $350 TO REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #752037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carmichael, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN DUE TO DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE, ROTOR IN THE DISTRIBUTOR MELTED DUE TO EXTREMELY HIGH TEMPERATURES.
NHTSA complaint #785458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
LEFT TAIL LIGHT CAUSED THE FIRE DURING THE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #751607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Cruces, NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DISTRIBUTOR PROBLEM, SCREECHING, EMISSION SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT, ENGINE STALL. NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL BECAUSE IT HAS MORE THAT 75000 MILES AND SIX YEARS. UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF THE COMPANY. RECALL MUST BE EXTENDED.
NHTSA complaint #748429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mclean, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IT SEEMS THAT THE IGNITION FAILIURE IS COMMON ON ALL 1990 TO 1993 HONDA MODELS. SUCH FAILIURE IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUSE AND CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT HAD IT HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY, BECAUSE ONCE THE IGNITION FAILS THE CAR JUST DIES. NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND MAYBE FORCE HONDA TO ISSUE A RECALL. NHTSA SHOULD NOT WAIT FOR A HIGH NUMBER OF FATALITIES IN ORDER TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION, PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.
NHTSA complaint #745096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Paso, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
BELIEVE FAILURE OF DISTRIBUTOR WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION CAUSED THE OIL PUMP TO STOP FUNCTIONING AND RESULTED IN LACK OF OIL PRESSURE AND RESULTING IN ENGINE CAMSHAFT (LACK OF OILING) BREAKING AND DESTROYING CYLINDER HEAD AND ENGINE, RESULTING IN TOTAL ENGINE REPLACMENT.
NHTSA complaint #744715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vista, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE ENGINE OF MY 1993 ACCORD COMPLETELY STALLED (NO POWER). AFTER QUICK TROUBLESHOOTING, THE CAR REPAIR FACILITY, S&R SERVICE CENTER IN VISTA, CA , DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITER HAD FAILED AND REPLACED IT. AFTER REPLACEMENT THE CAR STARTED AND NOW APPEARS TO BE RUNNING NORMALLY.
NHTSA complaint #741487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whittier, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE DISTRIBUTOR AT 73,000 MILES EXPIRED, AND NOTHING WOULD BE DONE UNLESS COST WENT TO CONSUMER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ISSUE ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #877094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aylett, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A FAULTY DISTRIBUTOR. PRIOR TO STALLING CONSUMER HEARD LOUD SQUEALING NOISE, AND THEN MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP CAME ON.
NHTSA complaint #874312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Abingdon, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN DUE TO A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE IGNITION WARNING KIT UNIT AND SWITCH. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #866387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Hemps, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DEFECTIVE DISTRIBUTOR FAILED WHILE DRIVING. YH
NHTSA complaint #552013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thousand Oaks, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FAILURE CAUSES CAR TO STALL. MANUFACTURE AWARE OF PROBLEM HOWEVER WOULD ONLY FIX THE PROBLEM IF IT BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #717918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gaithersburg, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DRIVING VEHICLE & HEARD FUNNY NOISES. TOOK TO DEALER. MECHANIC NOTICED BEARINGS & DISTRIBUTOR HAD GONE BAD. MECHANIC THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL. MANUFACTURER IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THAT VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #841114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sausalito, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE HORN BUTTON IS TOO SMALL TO FIND WHEN NEEDED. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN DO NOTHING.
NHTSA complaint #821341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethesda, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
PRESSING THE HORN PAD(BUTTON) THE HORN DOES NOT OPERATE. THE DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #820045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mission Viejo, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITOR FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.
NHTSA complaint #509797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Palm, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #483548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Florence, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
POOR LOCATION AND SIZE OF THE HORN BUTTON.
NHTSA complaint #480873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.