1989 Acura Legend Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1989 Acura Legend, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes1022.7%
- Airbags818.2%
- Electrical511.4%
- Seat belts49.1%
- Driver assistance36.8%
- Interior & seats36.8%
- Steering36.8%
- Visibility24.5%
- Fuel system24.5%
- Engine12.3%
- Suspension12.3%
- Transmission12.3%
- Body & structure12.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY FRIEND AND I WERE TRAVELING ON A FOUR LANE ROAD IN THE RAIN GOING 5 MILES UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT. TWO CARS IN FRONT OF US SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND I PROCEEDED TO DO THE SAME THING. FIRST, MY BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME, HAVING ABS I SHOULD HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM, SECOND AS WE HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF USE TWO THINGS HAPPENDED, ONE MY PASSANGER'S SEATBELT DID NOT TAKE HOLD AND HE ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL WITH MINOR INJURIES. SECOND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING BE TO STRIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WITH NO INJURIES.*AK
ABS FAILURE.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, IGNITION PROBLEMS, AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK, DOOR OPEN LIGHT STAYS ON, LEAK IN SUNROOF WHEN IT RAINS,
WHILE PULLING INTO A SERVICE STATION, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE TRAVELING AT HWY SPEED OF 60 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND INFORMED THAT IGNITION SWITCH HAD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT UP AND STALLED TWICE MORE. *SLC
SINCE L998 MY CAR HAS FAILED TO START AND AFTER REPEATED EFFORTS, WHEN THE ENGINE HAS COOLED OFF, IT WILL START UNEXPECTEDLY. I HAVE EVEN CALLED THE AAA AND BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVE, THE CAR WILL START ON ITS OWN. I HAVE REPLACED (AT MY EXPENSE) ONE STARTER; AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED (AT THEIR COST) ANOTHER). IN ADDITION, AS THEIR SUGGESTION, I DISENGAGED BY SECURITY SYSTEM, AS IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT A SHORT WAS CAUSING A MALFUNCTION, AND "FREEZING THE ENGINE." THE STARTING PROBLEM PERSISTS ON AN ON AGAIN/OFF AGAIN BASIS. MY CAR HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED, AT APPROPRIATE TIMES, BY THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I PURCHASED IT. THEY INSIST THAT "NOTHING APPEARS TO BE WRONG WITH THE CAR" BUT IT CONTINUES TO REFUSE TO START, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES, OR WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. THIS IS A SEVERE HAZARD TO ME AS I AM A SINGLE PERSON AND CAN FIND MYSELF IN A DISTANT LOCATION WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING CAR. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY ANOTHER ACURA LEGEND OWNER (ALSO 1989) THAT HE HAS HAD THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM, AND HAS RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE FROM OUR DEALERSHIP. WHEN QUESTIONED, THEY INSIST THAT THIS IS A UNIQUE PROBLEM, BUT I AM DOUBTFUL OF THIS IN LIGHT OF MY FRIEND'S EXPERIENCE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 1989 ACURA LEGEND, WHICH THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RELEASED UPON THE IMPACT OF THE INCIDENT. SHE WAS THEN CITATED FOR NOT WEARING A SAFETY BELT. I HAVE RECENTLY FOUND THAT THEY WERE RECALLED IN MAY OF 1995. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON A YEAR AGO.*AK
THE SEATBELTS (ALL 5 SEATBELTS) FAILED TO RESPONSD TO A FORCEFUL BREAK. I CONTACTED A DEALER IN CALIFORNIA YEARS AGO, BUT THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. MY QUESTION IS WHAT DOT CAN DO TO PROTECT US CUSTOMERS FROM IMPORTED CARS WHICH FAIL TO EQUIP PROPER SEATBELT SYSTEMS? AND TO WHOM THE CUSTOMER CAN CONTACT? BECAUSE I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT ACURA MANUFACTURE THRU THEIR WEB PAGE, BUT THEY PROVIDE NO FEEDBACK PORTION.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE MAKING A TURN AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING AND TOOK OFF GOING UP HILL. CONSUMER PUMPED BRAKES AND PULLED HAND BRAKE AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL CONSUMER THEN TURNED ENGINE OFF TO STOP. *AK JLG
WIFE DRIVING, CRUISE CONTROL SET, VEHICLE PICKED UP SPEED, TRIED CANCELING, TRIED BRAKES, FINALLY PULLED OVER/TURNED OFF VEHICLE; DEALERSHIP NOTICED SAME PROBLEM, HUSBAND HAD CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
RADIO GOES ON AND OFF, BELLS RING, DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. VEHICLE STOPS. LOOKS LIKE A DEAD BATTERY, BUT IS NOT. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER THREE MONTHS THIS TIME. NEITHER THE HONDA DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT DEALER CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM IS ONGOING OCCURRING ABOUT EVERY THREE MONTHS. HONDA DEALER TOLD US CAR WAS REPAIRED. WE WENT TO PICK IT UP, AND IT WOULDN'T START. HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 1998.
SEAT HAS STUCK, IT CANT BE ADJUSTED APPROPRIATELY FOR THE DRIVER. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
SINCE L998 MY CAR HAS FAILED TO START AND AFTER REPEATED EFFORTS, WHEN THE ENGINE HAS COOLED OFF, IT WILL START UNEXPECTEDLY. I HAVE EVEN CALLED THE AAA AND BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVE, THE CAR WILL START ON ITS OWN. I HAVE REPLACED (AT MY EXPENSE) ONE STARTER; AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED (AT THEIR COST) ANOTHER). IN ADDITION, AS THEIR SUGGESTION, I DISENGAGED BY SECURITY SYSTEM, AS IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT A SHORT WAS CAUSING A MALFUNCTION, AND "FREEZING THE ENGINE." THE STARTING PROBLEM PERSISTS ON AN ON AGAIN/OFF AGAIN BASIS. MY CAR HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED, AT APPROPRIATE TIMES, BY THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I PURCHASED IT. THEY INSIST THAT "NOTHING APPEARS TO BE WRONG WITH THE CAR" BUT IT CONTINUES TO REFUSE TO START, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES, OR WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. THIS IS A SEVERE HAZARD TO ME AS I AM A SINGLE PERSON AND CAN FIND MYSELF IN A DISTANT LOCATION WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING CAR. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY ANOTHER ACURA LEGEND OWNER (ALSO 1989) THAT HE HAS HAD THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM, AND HAS RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE FROM OUR DEALERSHIP. WHEN QUESTIONED, THEY INSIST THAT THIS IS A UNIQUE PROBLEM, BUT I AM DOUBTFUL OF THIS IN LIGHT OF MY FRIEND'S EXPERIENCE.*AK
REPEATED DIFFICULTY IN STARTING THE CAR. STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACES TWICE/ SECURITY SYSTEM HAS BEEN DEACTIVATED. PROBLEM PERSISTS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, IGNITION PROBLEMS, AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK, DOOR OPEN LIGHT STAYS ON, LEAK IN SUNROOF WHEN IT RAINS,
BOTH DOORS AND ONE WINDOW ARE INOPERATIVE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
SINCE L998 MY CAR HAS FAILED TO START AND AFTER REPEATED EFFORTS, WHEN THE ENGINE HAS COOLED OFF, IT WILL START UNEXPECTEDLY. I HAVE EVEN CALLED THE AAA AND BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVE, THE CAR WILL START ON ITS OWN. I HAVE REPLACED (AT MY EXPENSE) ONE STARTER; AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED (AT THEIR COST) ANOTHER). IN ADDITION, AS THEIR SUGGESTION, I DISENGAGED BY SECURITY SYSTEM, AS IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT A SHORT WAS CAUSING A MALFUNCTION, AND "FREEZING THE ENGINE." THE STARTING PROBLEM PERSISTS ON AN ON AGAIN/OFF AGAIN BASIS. MY CAR HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED, AT APPROPRIATE TIMES, BY THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I PURCHASED IT. THEY INSIST THAT "NOTHING APPEARS TO BE WRONG WITH THE CAR" BUT IT CONTINUES TO REFUSE TO START, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES, OR WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. THIS IS A SEVERE HAZARD TO ME AS I AM A SINGLE PERSON AND CAN FIND MYSELF IN A DISTANT LOCATION WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING CAR. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY ANOTHER ACURA LEGEND OWNER (ALSO 1989) THAT HE HAS HAD THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM, AND HAS RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE FROM OUR DEALERSHIP. WHEN QUESTIONED, THEY INSIST THAT THIS IS A UNIQUE PROBLEM, BUT I AM DOUBTFUL OF THIS IN LIGHT OF MY FRIEND'S EXPERIENCE.*AK
WHEN DRIVING/APPLYING BRAKES/ ACCELERATING, OR EVEN MAKING TURNS COULD SMELL FUEL FUMES. CONTACTED DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, IGNITION PROBLEMS, AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK, DOOR OPEN LIGHT STAYS ON, LEAK IN SUNROOF WHEN IT RAINS,
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH DOORS AND ONE WINDOW ARE INOPERATIVE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .