RoadVitals

1988 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.
33
Latest Aug 30, 2023
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.
2
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.
3
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.
10
12 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 33 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Acura Legend, most frequently naming the driver assistance, transmission and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 3 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

  • Driver assistance1230.8%
  • Transmission615.4%
  • Brakes615.4%
  • Fuel system37.7%
  • Engine25.1%
  • Electrical25.1%
  • Tires & wheels25.1%
  • Powertrain (other)25.1%

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

2 campaigns 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
87V171000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Oct 29, 1987
99,088 units potentially affected
The defect: OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.
The risk: VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.
The remedy: UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.
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
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
DP88005ClosedDefect Petition

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

Opened Nov 10, 1987
Closed Mar 8, 1988

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 33
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 30, 2023

gingerbread factory national fedration newspaper employee. projectory math musuem

NHTSA ID
11541746
Incident
Aug 30, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 15, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 ACURA LEGEND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ABLE TO BE ENGAGED IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 210,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10448096
Incident
Feb 3, 2010
Mileage
210,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jan 15, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN VIOLENT FULL ACCELERATION WITH A 1988 ACURA LEGEND, WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH INTO A BUILDING, AND A VERY BADLY BROKEN LEG FOR ME. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF POSSIBLY THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 1986-1988 ACURA LEGEND, AND AM SURE THERE MUST BE THOUSANDS MORE STILL ON THE ROAD. ARE THERE ANY GROUP LAWSUITS CURRENTLY BEING PUT FORTH, OR CAN YOU PROVIDE ME WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR RECEIVING JUSTICE IN THIS MATTER?

NHTSA ID
10070542
Incident
Jun 15, 2003
Mileage
180,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 23, 2003
Crash reported

WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A WALL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10020513
Incident
May 23, 2003
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 27, 2003
Crash reported

ON FEB 3, 2003, I WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND PUT CAR IN REVERSE, I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR NO MATTER HOW MUCH PRESSURE I PUT ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR BACK UP ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, INTO MY NEIGHBORS FENCE, WHICH CAUSED FENCE TO BREAK IN SEVERAL PLACES. *JB

NHTSA ID
10008202
Incident
Feb 3, 2003
Seat belts
Filed Feb 25, 2000
1 injury reported

BELT WEBBING FAILED. SAFETY BELT FAILURE WAS INVESTIGATED BY OFFICER ELROD. POINT OF CONTACT: CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL, CENTRAL DIVISION MULTIDISCIPLINARY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION TEAM, ATTENTION: OFFICER MIKE SEDAM, (559)277-7250 EXT. 234 CASE #CL-008-00. *AK

NHTSA ID
719262
Incident
Jan 24, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 2, 1999
Crash reported

WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND PUTTING IT IN REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, THE CAR TOOK OFF AT HIGH SPEED AND WOULD NOT STOP WITH APPLICATION OF BRAKES. DRIVER HAD TO TURN CAR OFF IN ORDER TO STOP. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. MECHANIC CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
853580
Incident
Nov 29, 1990
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Nov 24, 1999

VEHICLE TOOK OFF AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN IT WAS PUT INTO DRIVE. THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP VEHICLE. SO THE DRIVER HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. *AK

NHTSA ID
852705

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

1002

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

INTERMITTENT SRA DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 1-1 TO 1-5, DRIVER'S AIRBAG INFLATOR CIRCUIT. OCTOBER TECH LINE INFORMATION. *TT

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
1988Viewing332368.0
1987916—
1986171550.2

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.