RoadVitals

1994 Acura Legend Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
21
Latest Aug 15, 2016
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
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.
6

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1994 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

  • Airbags520.0%
  • Engine312.0%
  • Electrical312.0%
  • Seat belts312.0%
  • Transmission28.0%
  • Driver assistance28.0%
  • Interior & seats28.0%
  • Exterior lighting28.0%
  • Powertrain (other)14.0%
  • Suspension14.0%
  • Brakes14.0%

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

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FOR MORE THAN 8 MONTHS MY ACURA LEGEND (1994) FOUR DOOR SEDAN HAS BEEN INAUDIBLE OR NOT WORKING. THE SRS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS I'VE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE COIL REEL IS OUT AND THAT IT IS NOW IN A CONDITION THAT WILL PREVENT THE HORN FROM SOUNDING WHEN NEEDED OR AT ALL. I'VE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THE DRIVERS AIRBAG AND POSSIBLY THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT EMPLOY SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND I'M VERY SURPRISED THAT THE COST OF A COIL REEL COSTS $687 FROM THE HONDA DEALER IN PENSACOLA, FLORIDA. MY ATTEMPTS TO FIX THIS ON MY OWN WERE HINDERED BY COST AND LABOR TO REPAIR THIS ITEM. FOR NOW IT IS PARKED AND NOT BEING USED BY THIS OWNER BECAUSE THE SAFETY FEATURES THAT PROMPTED THIS PURCHASE ARE NO LONGER EFFECTIVE. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR RECALL. *NM

NHTSA ID 10170331 · filed Oct 10, 2006

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NLM

NHTSA ID 10017188 · filed Apr 18, 2003

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET ALLOWS AIR INTO THE COOLING SYSTEM. TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLUCTUATES, AND THE COOLING RESERVOIR OVERFLOWS. WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *AK

NHTSA ID 10067123 · filed Apr 13, 2004

ENGINE STALLED, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL POWER FUNCTIONS. *DSH

NHTSA ID 504542 · filed May 6, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ACURA LEGEND. AFTER TURNING OFF AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, A FIRE ORIGINATED ON THE BOTTOM PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEAR THE ELECTRONIC SEAT CONTROL BUTTONS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF A DEALER WOULD DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,578.

NHTSA ID 10896070 · filed Aug 15, 2016

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ACURA LEGEND. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; UNEXPECTEDLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND GAUGES STOPPED WORKING AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND DRIVE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THERE WAS A BURNING SENSATION UNDER THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVERS RIGHT FOOT AND A DRIED SUBSTANCE BURNING ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SHOE WHICH PENETRATED TO THE FOOT. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED BY THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 168,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10281352 · filed Aug 21, 2009

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT ENGANGE IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID 848190 · filed Sep 21, 1999

WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER, CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL. ON JAN 28, 1999, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH TRAVELING ABOUT 32 MPH, AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER AT THIS TIME, CAUSING MAJOR INJURIES TO DRIVERS FACE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

NHTSA ID 835556 · filed Mar 8, 1999

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS CHARGED 139.44 FOR T STOPPER ON 4-14-98. I SAW A TSB ON THAT ITEM TODAY. THIS WAS NEVER MENTIONED TO ME WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR 60,000 MILE SERVICE. AM I ENTITLED TO A REFUND FOR THIS CHARGE?

NHTSA ID 714617 · filed Nov 11, 1999

SUSPENSION PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID 489687 · filed May 3, 1995

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE WAITNG IN A LINE AND EASING OFF THE BRAKE JUST A LITTLE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID 870931 · filed Sep 19, 2000

ENGINE SURGES OCCASIONALLY. *DH

NHTSA ID 505097 · filed May 23, 1996

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ACURA LEGEND. AFTER TURNING OFF AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, A FIRE ORIGINATED ON THE BOTTOM PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEAR THE ELECTRONIC SEAT CONTROL BUTTONS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF A DEALER WOULD DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,578.

NHTSA ID 10896070 · filed Aug 15, 2016

ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS OPERATED TO THE LOCKED POSITION ON THEIR OWN. NO DELIBERATE OR INADVERTENT LOCK SELECTION BY DRIVER. FIRST OCCASION: AT FUEL PUMP, IGNITION OFF,CAR IN PARK,CLOSED DRIVERS DOOR TO KEEP OUT FUEL FUMES AND A STRONG,COLD WIND. ALL FOUR DOORS LOCKED WHEN DRIVERS DOOR CLOSED. SECOND OCCASION: STOPPED ON RURAL ESTATE DRIVEWAY TO DETACH A CLASS II TRAILER (EMPTY-ESTIMATE TONGUE WGT, AT 10-15LB.) CAR WAS IN PARK, EMERG. BRAKE ON DRIVERS DOOR OPEN. WHEN THE WEIGHT CAME OFF THE HITCH BALL AND A GUST OF WIND HIT, DRIVERS DOOR CLOSED, ALL FOUR DOORS LOCKED. ON THIS OCCASION, ANOTHER 1994 ACURA LEGEND OWNER WAS PRESENT AND STATED HE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIRD OCCASION: STOPPED AT RURAL MAIL BOX, CAR IN PARK, EMERG. BRAKE SET. THREE YEAR OLD IN STRAPPED IN CAR SEAT, (REAR SEAT) BENT OVER TO PICK UP DROPPED LETTER, DRIVERS DOOR CLOSED, ALL FOUR DOORS LOCKED UPON DOOR CLOSURE. # YR. OLD WAS ABLE TO UNSTRAP AND WAS COACHED TO OPEN DOOR. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ITEM. THIS CAR IS NOT DESIGNED TO LOCK ALL FOUR DOORS ON A SINGLE DOOR CLOSURE. IT NEVER DID THIS FOUR THE FIRST FOUR YEARS WE LEASED AND THEN OWNED THE CAR. IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO A TWO YEAR OLD OR INFANT INSIDE THE CAR IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, IN EITHER HOT OR COLD CONDITIONS. THIS COULD HAPPEN AT AN ATM, AT NIGHT IN A RURAL AREA, OR AS IN THE SECOND CASE, 35 MILES FROM THE NEAREST LOCKSMITH. IN NAVAL AVIATION, WE USED TO CALL THIS A SINGE POINT FAILURE, ONE RELAY OR SOLENOID GOES BAD AND YOU ARE IN EXTREMIS. NOTE THAT THE SECOND OCCASION INVOLVED ANOTHER NAVY PILOT,(RETIRED) WITH A 94 ACURA LEGEND THAT HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE- WHAT ARE THE ODDS ON THAT HAPPENING AND WE BEING THE ONLY TWO VICTIMS? CLEARLY, IF THERE WERE ONLY THESE TWO ACURAS THAT HAD THE PROBLEM, IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THEY WOULD BELONG TO TWO FRIEND HELPING ANOTHER FRIEND MOVE INTO A NEW HOME ON THE SAME DAY IN KING GEORGE COUNTY. ACURA SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE CONDITION.

NHTSA ID 704180 · filed Mar 8, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

J WISH TO COMPLAIN ABOUT SUV HEADLIGHTS BEING TOO HIGH THAT THEY TEND TO BLIND ON COMING TRAFFIC. WHY CAN'T THEIR HEIGHT BE REDUCED TO LEVEL THAT DOESN'T MAKE THEM A DRIVING HAZARD?*AK

NHTSA ID 760599 · filed Apr 11, 2002

HEADLIGHTS FAILED.

NHTSA ID 601875 · filed Nov 1, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE D-4 GREEN LIGHT BLINKS, & THE SPEEDOMETER "WAVERS" FROM "0" TO 60 MPH. AFTER ABOUT 2.5 MILES (ARRIVE AT DESTINATION), TURN OFF ENGINE. DO SHOPPING, ETC. AFTERWARD, WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED, EVERYTHING WORKS GREAT. NO BLINKING D-4 LIGHT. DRIVING HOME IS NORMAL. IT HAPPENS AGAIN THE NEXT DAY, & DAYS AFTER.

NHTSA ID 10783040 · filed Oct 16, 2015

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SUSPENSION PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID 489687 · filed May 3, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

RATTLING NOISE FROM REAR BRAKES. *AW

NHTSA ID 480396 · filed Feb 7, 1995

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

Data on this page last refreshed .