RoadVitals

1986 Acura Legend

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Mar 23, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest May 24, 1995
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
5
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 17 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Acura Legend, most frequently naming the fuel system, seat belts and visibility categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 5 NHTSA investigations name it; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system741.2%
  • Seat belts317.6%
  • Visibility211.8%
  • Powertrain (other)15.9%
  • Engine15.9%
  • Tires & wheels15.9%
  • Transmission15.9%
  • Driver assistance15.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
95V103001

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

May 24, 1995
3,700,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, THEN PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS ANY SIGN OF BREAKAGE OR CRACKING, OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, PROMPTLY CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED HONDA/ACURA DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA94035ClosedEngineering Analysis

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Opened Oct 27, 1994
Closed Jul 31, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 95V103001
EA89005ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL SYSTEM VENTING

Opened Nov 16, 1988
Closed Nov 30, 1989

===

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE88062ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL SYSTEM VENTING

Opened Jun 21, 1988
Closed Nov 16, 1988

SUMMARY: THE FOUR OWNER COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FIVE VEHICLES, THREE ACCORDS AND TWO LEGENDS. A SEARCH OF ODI RECORDS PERTAINING TO HONDA SAFETY RECALLS AND DEALER SERVICE BULLETINS REVEALED NO INFORMATION RELATED TO THIS SUBJECT.===

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA88026ClosedEngineering Analysis

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

Opened Mar 8, 1988
Closed Jan 10, 1991

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:UNDER DP88-005 AMERICAN HONDAPROVIDED THE STATISTICS GIVEN ABOVE.HONDA ALSO VERIFIED THAT THE POWER-TRAIN INSTALLED IN THE ACCURA LEGEND IS ALSO SOLD TO AUSTIN ROVER AND USEDIN THE STERLING VEHICLE.A NUMBER OF THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED DIRECTLY TOHONDA HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED BY FIELD PERSONNEL, WHO CONSISTENTLY HAVE NOTFOUND ANY APPARENT COMPONENT OR SUBSYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS TO WHICH THEINCIDENTS COULD BE ATTRIBUTED.ANALYSIS:THE RATES OF COMPLAINTS AND ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE SUBJECTVEHICLES ARE SIGNIFICANT.FURTHER DETAILED REVIEW OF THIS MATTER ISAPPROPRIATE AND SHOULD INCLUDE THE ACQUISITION AND ANALYSIS OF INFORMATIONFROM AUSTIN ROVER REGARDING THE STERLING VEHICLE.STATUS:DETAILED ANALYSIS OF INFORMATION ARE BEING CONDUCTED.INVESTIGA-TION IS CONCENTRATED ON ACURA LEGEND.MEETINGS HAVE BEEN HELD WITH THEMANUFACTURER TO REVIEW AND ANALYZE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FOR CLUES AS TOORIGIN OF THE PROBLEM.NO COMPONENT FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS HAVE BEENIDENTIFIED AS CAUSAL TO DATE.===

POWER TRAIN

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 17
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 23, 2004

WE PURCHASED FOUR GOODYEAR AQUATRED 3 TIRES IN SEPTEMBER 2000. SINCE THAT DATE, THREE OF THE TIRES HAVE FAILED (IN SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER 2003; AND MARCH 2004). ALL THREE TIRES EXPERIENCED A FAILURE (A BLOWOUT) INVOLVING THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES. WE BELIEVE THE HIGH RATE OF FAILURE IN THE SIDEWALL AREA INDICATES A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. LUCKILY, WE WERE ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF OUR VEHICLE DURING EACH OF THE BLOWOUTS, AS WE WERE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON EACH OCCURRENCE. SINCE THE DATE OF ORIGINAL PURCHASE, WE HAVE PLACED ONLY 33,101 MILES ON OUR VEHICLE TO DATE. THE AQUATRED 3 HAS AN 80,000-MILE WARRANTY RATING.*AK

NHTSA ID
10063696
Incident
Mar 23, 2004
Mileage
163,051 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 11, 2001

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING, CONSUMER STATES HE WAS INSTANTLY BLINDED WHILE ROUNDING A TURN, AND DROVE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, CONSUMER STATES THE WIPER MOTOR CONTINUED TO RUN, BUT THE LINKAGE BETWEEN THE MOTOR AND THE WIPERS APPARENTLY FAILED, CAUSING BOTH OF WIPERS TO BECOME DISCONNECTED AND SUDDENLY STOP.*JB

NHTSA ID
561978
Incident
Jul 8, 2001
Visibility
Filed Jul 10, 2001

I WAS INSTANTLY BLINDED IN HEAVY RAIN WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND RAN OFF THE ROADRKING. *AK

NHTSA ID
748200
Incident
Jul 7, 2001
Seat belts
Filed May 18, 2001

DRIVER'S SIDE RETRACTOR DOES NOT RETRACT, LEAVING SEATBELT LOOSE AROUND THE DRIVER. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER CONTACTED ANOTHER ACURA DEALERSHIP THAT INFORMED HIM THAT SEAT BELTS CAME WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY AND PROMPTLY FIXED THEM. *SLC

NHTSA ID
888601
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 4, 2001

ODOMETER WAS ROLLED BACK. NLM

NHTSA ID
558403
Engine
Filed Feb 4, 2000

THERE IS FUEL ESCAPING THROUGH MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE. CONSUMERR STATED THAT IT IS A HEALTH HAZARD. *AK

NHTSA ID
856316
Incident
Oct 28, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Dec 9, 1999

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. *AK

NHTSA ID
715873
Incident
Oct 10, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Sep 17, 1997

SEAT BELT FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
522263

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SB-0708

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

ACURA: THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING: TIRE PRESSURE VALVE STEM INSTALLATION, TRAILER STABILITY MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON, ENGINE OIL APPLICATION GUIDE, NEW SOFTWARE, NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID, NOTCHY STEERING FEELING. *RM

92009

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

CLICKING NOISE WHILE CLICKING. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Acura Legend by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1995155050.6
1994214056.7
1993254160.2
1992756263.3
19911177057.3
1990362055.9
1989342055.0
1988332368.0
1987916—
1986Viewing171550.2

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.