RoadVitals

1985 Honda Accord

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.
13
Latest Oct 28, 2003
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 Mar 3, 1992
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.
2
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.
4
3 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Honda Accord, most frequently naming the fuel system, suspension and seat belts categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 2 NHTSA investigations name it.

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 system423.5%
  • Suspension211.8%
  • Seat belts211.8%
  • Visibility211.8%
  • Body & structure15.9%
  • Tires & wheels15.9%
  • Transmission15.9%
  • Exterior lighting15.9%

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
92V028000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Mar 3, 1992
903,219 units potentially affected
The defect: IF THE PLASTIC COATING OF THE FUEL FILLER AND/OR BREATHER PIPE IS DAMAGED, SALT WATER MAY ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE PLASTIC COATING AND THE STEEL PIPES, AND THE ACCUMULATION COULD CAUSE CORROSSION WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY RUST THROUGH THE AFFECTED PIPES, ALLOWING GASOLINE FUMES AND FUEL TO LEAK.
The risk: GASOLINE FUMES AND/OR FUEL LEAKAGE THROUGH THE FILLER ORBREATHER PIPES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The remedy: CORRODED FILLER OR BREATHER PIPES WILL BE CLEANED AND RECOATED OR REPLACED AS NEEDED.
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

DP87013ClosedDefect Petition

HONDA HIGH ENGINE SPEED

Opened Mar 3, 1987
Closed May 4, 1987

HONDA HIGH ENGINE SPEED

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PE86066ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SUDDEN ACCELERATION

Opened Jul 28, 1986
Closed Nov 3, 1986

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:INFORMATION FROM HONDA RELEVANTTO THIS PE WAS PROVIDED BY LETTER DATED 8 SEPTEMBER AND A PRESENTATION TONHTSA ON 2 OCTOBER.HONDA HAS ISSUED NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS OROTHER NOTIFICATIONS TO DEALERS RELATING TO FUEL FLOW AND DELIVERY, THROTTLECONTROL, OR ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS THAT MAY RESULT IN UNINTENDED SUDDENACCELERATION.THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A CARBURETOR DESIGNWHICH, ACCORDING TO HONDA'S EVALUATION, WILL NOT PERMIT ENGINE RPM TOEXCEED A FAST IDLE CONDITION OF 2000 RPM WITHOUT DRIVER ACTUATION OF THETHROTTLE. TEST DATA WERE PROVIDED TO SHOW THAT AN ENGINE SPEED OF 2000 RPMWITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION WOULD, WHEN SHIFTED INTODRIVE, YIELD A VEHICLE SPEED OF 8 MPH AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS.OTHER TEST DATA WERE PROVIDED TO SUPPORT HONDA'S POSITION THAT FAILEDENGINE MOUNTS WOULD NOT CONTRIBUTE TO SUDDEN VEHICLE ACCELERATION ASALLEGED IN THIS PE.ANALYSIS:THE FOLLOWING ARE CONSIDERED SIGNIFICANT OBSERVATIONS AND/ORANALYTICAL ASSESSMENTS OF THE FACTS IN THIS PE FILE: OTHE ALLEGED INCIDENTS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE FROM OTHER PE/EA FILESIN THAT THEY TEND TO EMPHASIZE OCCURRENCE OF THE PHENOMENON WHENTHE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO ANOTHER GEAR. OA HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THE REPORTED OCCURRENCES ALSO INVOLVEACCIDENTS,BUT THE RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF INJURY ACCIDENTSSUGGESTS THAT MOST ARE LOW SPEED COLLISIONS. OHONDA HAS NOT IDENTIFIED, AND ODI'S ANALYSES HAVE NOT DISCOVERED,A TREND OF MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL COMPONENT FAILURE WITH ACAUSAL RELATIONSHIP TO THE ALLEGED OCCURRENCES.IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, ANALYSIS OF THE RATES OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS,ACCIDENTS, AND INJURY ACCIDENTS WITH RESPECT TO THE TOTAL VEHICLEPOPULATION OF 746,000, SHOWS THAT THE HONDA ACCORD COMPARES FAVORABLYTO OTHER VEHICLES REPORTED TO HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR OCCURRENCES.THIS ANALYSIS, TOGETHER WITH OTHER INFORMATION ACQUIRED, SHOWS THAT NODEFECT TREND EXISTS TO JUSTIFY CONTINUATION OF INVESTIGATIVE ACTIVITY.PROPOSED ACTION:CLOSE THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.===

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 13
Fuel systemSeat belts
Filed Oct 28, 2003
Crash reportedFire reported3 injuries reported

HONDA ACCORD GOING 45 MPH WAS STRUCK ON LEFT REAR BY ANOTHER CAR GOING ALSO FORTY 45 MPH HITTING GAS TANK LOCATED BEHIND LEFT BACK PASSENGER DOOR. CAR INGNITED UNDER CAR AS CAR WAS SPINNING FOR AT LEAST ONE MINUTE. FIRE BURNED THOURGH BACKSEAT IGNITING SEAT AND SEATBELT TENNSIONIERS.CAR DOORS DID NOT OPEN BUT WINDOWS WERE DOWN. ONE ADULT TWO CHILDREN WERE PASSENGERS,ONE CHILD SUFFERED SECOND AND THIRD DEGREE BURNS FROM BEING IN BACK SEAT. OLDER BROTHER EXTRICATED GRANDMOTHER AND YOUNGER SISTER FROM BACKSEAT OF BURNING CAR OUT OF RIGHT FRNOT PASSENGER WINDOW.AK

NHTSA ID
10043715
Incident
Aug 9, 2001
Suspension
Filed Nov 1, 2002

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT SUSPENSION CRADLE BOLTS SNAP, AND CAUSES LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR PHOTOS ATTACHED. *TT

NHTSA ID
8022050
Incident
Oct 26, 2002
Mileage
117,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 3, 2001

TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON TWO JUPITER YP-701 TIRE MADE BY WOOSUNG. 3/14/01, REAR PASSENGER SIDE, TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATION OCCURRED, TIRE WAS NOT BALD BUT STILL HAD AN ESTIMATED 10,000 OR MORE TREADLIFE. 6/28/01, REAR DRIVERS SIDE,TREAD SEPARATION, 37,000 MILES ON TIRE, TRAVELING 50-55 MPH WHEN HE TIRE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY ADVANCED WARNING.

NHTSA ID
9003239
Incident
Jun 28, 2001
Engine
Filed Nov 9, 1999

WHILE DRIVING OIL LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO THE ENGINE LEAKING OIL ALSO, DEALER REPLACED SEALS AND BELTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
852715
Exterior lightingTransmission
Filed Jul 17, 1999

CLUTCH FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ID
782535
Incident
Jul 15, 1998
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jun 3, 1997
Crash reported1 death reported

18-YEAR OLD SON DROWNED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WENT INTO A CANAL AND THE POWER WINDOWS/POWER LOCKS WERE INOPERABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
516572
Incident
Mar 13, 1990
Seat belts
Filed May 19, 1997

SEAT BELTS IN REAR DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. PARKED VEHICLE, TOOK TIRE OFF & NOTICED THAT REAR SEAT BELT CAME DETACHED FROM ANCHOR ATTACHMENT. WILL BE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
812373
Incident
May 13, 1997
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 17, 1997
Crash reported

HIGH SPEED INVOLUNTARY EXCELLERATION, RESULTING IN CRASH. *AK

NHTSA ID
811090
Incident
Apr 9, 1997

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Honda Accord by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026400—
2025770047.2
20241353164.6
2023835170.2
20222214164.0
20212174166.2
20203455164.4
20196636266.2
20181,8336264.5
20175293058.9
20165944058.8
20155995261.7
20149754260.8
20131,4185563.2
20123728164.1
20112969058.9
201057913158.7
200972011259.5
20081,5209359.4
200752410467.5
200643017464.5
200565624465.6
20041,01622465.3
20031,98724564.2
20021,05016767.4
2001920191068.0
20001,18321563.5
19991,13517561.4
19981,20019361.3
199746015055.3
199647213055.4
199554314265.0
199436913058.9
199318611058.8
199220612058.9
199121213159.8
199019212663.1
1989861156.3
1988882160.5
19871113363.2
1986542663.4
1985Viewing131256.5
1984222354.1
1983710—
1982102050.0
1981701—
1980201—
1979211—
1978010—
1977010—
1976010—

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.