RoadVitals

1990 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.
36
Latest Sep 28, 2016
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.
0
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.
9
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 36 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Acura Legend, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 5 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

  • Brakes1126.2%
  • Electrical511.9%
  • Body & structure511.9%
  • Airbags49.5%
  • Transmission49.5%
  • Interior & seats24.8%
  • Driver assistance24.8%
  • Seat belts24.8%

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
90E043003

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Oct 29, 1990
36 units potentially affected
The defect: THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
The risk: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
The remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 36
Brakes
Filed Sep 28, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 ACURA LEGEND. WHILE BACKING UP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES CEASED TO FUNCTION WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,580.

NHTSA ID
10910312
Incident
Apr 22, 2016
Mileage
79,580 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Jun 25, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN WHICH CAUSED MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY CAUSEING SWELLING TO MY FACE AND THE FUMES FROM THE AIR BAG ITSELF WAS VERY STRONG. *TR

NHTSA ID
10605981
Incident
Mar 19, 2014
Body & structureElectricalSteering
Filed Jan 15, 2004

I HAVE HAD THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED IN 2001, 2002 AND 2003 WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES AND AROUND A YEAR OF WEAR. THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE REPLACED, THE DEALER DID THEM AND PUT IN DEFECTIVE PARTS. AND REFUSED TO REPLACE THEM EVEN AFTER ADMITTING THEIR DEFECTIVENESS-- OF COURSE THE SERVICE REP DENIES HAVING ADMITTED THIS.

NHTSA ID
10070923
Incident
Aug 15, 2001
Mileage
151,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jun 18, 2003

SEAT BELTS IN THE REAR JUST POPPED OUT AND CONSUMER CANNOT USE THEM. WHAT CAN SHE DO?*AK

NHTSA ID
10024390
Incident
Jun 18, 2003
Body & structure
Filed Feb 6, 2003
1 injury reported

THE SPRINGS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO HOLD MY TRUNK LID OPEN AREN'T STRONG ENOUGH AND THE LID CLOSES SUDDENLY WHEN THERE IS A BREEZE OR IT'S PARKED ON A INCLINE. IT PROBABLY HAPPENS AT LEAST 5 TIMES A MONTH, OR MORE FREQUENTLY DEPENDING UPON THE WEATHER OR WHERE I'M PARKING. I'VE BEEN THUMPED IN THE HEAD AND NECK.

NHTSA ID
10005429
Incident
Feb 6, 2003
Transmission
Filed Oct 3, 2002

TRANSMISSION FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME. MR

NHTSA ID
768050
Incident
Aug 21, 2002
Electrical
Filed Aug 27, 2002

10/30/99 WIRING FOR RADIO/SPEAKERS BURNED. WORLD OF SOUND REBUILT ALL FOUR AMPS; TOTAL COST $728.17. 8/24/02 SAME BURNING SMELL, SAME FAILURE. WORLD OF SOUND REPAIRED/REPLACED REAR SPEAKERS AT TOTAL COST OF $360.40.

NHTSA ID
766291
Incident
Oct 30, 1999
Electrical
Filed Feb 11, 2002
Fire reported

VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH ENGINE TURNED OFF AND KEYS WERE OUT OF THE IGNITION. 20 MINUTES LATER,HEARD ALARM SOUND. WENT OUTSIDE AND VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE WHILE MOTOR WAS RUNNING. CAUSE NOT KNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8003879
Incident
Feb 3, 2002

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

ACU950406

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

CAMPAIGN RESPOSNSIBILITY REPORT FOR THE 1989-90 LEGEND IGNITER PRODUCT UPDATE CAMPAIGN. *TW

92009

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

CLICKING NOISE WHILE CLICKING. *TW

B930040

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

SPECIAL RETURN: IGNITER. *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
1990Viewing362055.9
1989342055.0
1988332368.0
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.