RoadVitals

1986 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.
54
Latest Oct 20, 2009
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.
6
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.
5
9 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 54 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Honda Accord, most frequently naming the fuel system, seat belts and suspension categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 6 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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

  • Fuel system1830.5%
  • Seat belts1423.7%
  • Suspension46.8%
  • Brakes35.1%
  • Electrical35.1%
  • Powertrain (other)35.1%
  • Engine35.1%
  • Body & structure23.4%

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
92V028001

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Apr 15, 1993
920,583 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 CORROSION 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: REPAIRS WILL BE MADE TO VEHICLES WITH CORRODED FILLER OR BREATHER PIPES.
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
EA89005ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL SYSTEM VENTING

Opened Nov 16, 1988
Closed Nov 30, 1989

===

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE88062ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL SYSTEM VENTING

Opened Jun 21, 1988
Closed Nov 16, 1988

SUMMARY: THE FOUR OWNER COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FIVE VEHICLES, THREE ACCORDS AND TWO LEGENDS. A SEARCH OF ODI RECORDS PERTAINING TO HONDA SAFETY RECALLS AND DEALER SERVICE BULLETINS REVEALED NO INFORMATION RELATED TO THIS SUBJECT.===

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
DP88008ClosedDefect Petition

ACCORD SUDDEN ACCEL-SEE DP87-026

Opened Jan 13, 1988
Closed Mar 30, 1988

ACCORD SUDDEN ACCEL-SEE DP87-026

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 54
Fuel system
Filed Oct 20, 2009

RUST ON THE FUEL FILLER PIPE - 1986 ACCORD - THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT, BUT HONDA DOES NOT RESPECT IT ANYMORE. WHY??? IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD - POTENTIAL FIRE. ON TOP OF THAT HONDA'S CARBURETORS HAVE DEFECTIVE FLOAT - IT GETS STUCK, CAUSING GASOLINE LEAK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10289183
Incident
Oct 4, 2009
Mileage
130,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 31, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 HONDA ACCORD. THE INLET PIPE OF THE FUEL TANK IS BUSTED ON THE INSIDE AND PREVENTS FUEL FROM ENTERING THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN IN THE INTERIM. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 92V028001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FUEL SYSTEM IS CARBURETOR. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 198,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,400.

NHTSA ID
10207539
Incident
Oct 1, 2007
Mileage
198,400 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 15, 2004

ENGINE: RADIATOR WAS LEAKING-REPLACE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP. TRANSMISSION: HESITATION DURING EXCELLERATION, CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE. REPLACED WITH USED TRANSIMISSION. FUEL SYSTEM: (2X'S) NO REPAIR AS OF YET, HESITATION DURING EXCELLERATION, CANNOT GET INTO GEAR. ENGINE REVES UP BUT CAR WILL NOT GO. MECHANIC CHECKED THE CAR - FILLER NECK IS EXTREMELY RUSTED OUT, HE SAID THEY HAD BEEN RECALLED AND TO GET A HOLD OF THE DEALERSHIP TO GET REPLACED. DEALER SHIP SAID IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. TOOK BACK TO MECHANIC WHO WILL NOT REPAIR TILL FILLER NECK IS REPLACED STATING IT WOULD BE A WASTE OF TIME AN MONEY BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE TO KEEP DOING MAINTENANCE WE WOULDN'T NORMALLY HAVE TO. HE SAID THE ENGINE IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL AND FUEL IS MIXED WITH WATER, DIRT AND RUST BECAUSE FILLER NECK IS SO RUSTED.

NHTSA ID
10071163
Incident
Feb 15, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Jan 30, 2002

CONSUMER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL CAMPAIGN 92V028001/FUEL SYSTEMS. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE IN JULY 1997, AND DETERMINED THAT COMPONENT BEING RECALLED WAS NOT CORRODED, AND DID NOT NEED REPLACEMENT. IN SEPTEMBER 2001, CONSUMER NOTICED GASOLINE ODORS IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING FROM VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED A CORRODED FUEL FILLER WAS CAUSING LEAK. CONSUMER WAS BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF ALL REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8003189
Incident
Nov 1, 2001
Driver assistance
Filed May 5, 2001

DURING HOT WEATHER MY ENGINE REVS UP TO A DANGEROUS LEVEL, AND I CAN NOT STOP THE PROBLEM I HAVE TO PUT MY FOOT HARD ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP IT STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. THE CAR WILL GO FORWARD WITHOUT ME PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR. I WAS TOLD TO KEEP THE AIR CONDITIONER ON TO TRY TO SLOW IT DOWN. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE, AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE PLACE THAT I PURCHASED IT, THEY ADJUSTED THE CARBUERATOR, AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG--I HAVE HAD TROUBLE BEFORE THERE FIXING THINGS RIGHT, SO I DID NOT TAKE IT BACK THERE. ANOTHER MECHANIC HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO AS HOT WEATHER IS COMING.PLEASE HELP ME-NO ONE ELSE WILL.*AK

NHTSA ID
744972
Incident
Jun 1, 1997
Fuel system
Filed Apr 5, 2001

A FEW YEARS AGO, MY CAR VAULTED FORWARD AND I HIT A POST. THOUGHT IT WAS MY FAULT SO HAD IT REPAIRED. A FEW YEARS LATER THE AREA WHERE MY FUEL GOES INTO ROTTED AND I HAD IT REPLACED BECAUSE OF A RECALL. UPON LOOKING UP RECALLS AT THAT TIME I REALIZED THERE HAD BEEN ANOTHER RECALL ABOUT THE CAR VAULTING FORWARD WITH NO REASON.. IT WAS TO LATE FOR ME TO TELL THEM WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE BUT IT HAS SINCE HAPPENED AGAIN AND IWOULD LIKE TO FIND THAT RECALL TO SHOW THE HONDA PEOPLE. THANKS

NHTSA ID
743559
Fuel system
Filed Oct 12, 2000

COATING ON THE FUEL FILLER TUBE RUSTED THROUGH WHICH MAY POSSIBLY CAUSE A LEAK. THERE WAS RECALL 92V028001 WHICH OFFERED A REMEDY, BUT VEHICLESEEMED TO BE HAVING THE PROBLEM AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
872850
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 18, 2000
Crash reported2 injuries reported

ON JULY 11, 1992 MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING EAST ON I580 IN CALIFORNIA. IT WAS A HOT DAY AT ABOUT 8:00 IN THE MORNING. THE REAR TIRE LOST IT'S TREAD CAP AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE 6 PICTURES OF THE TIRE AND THE POLICE REPORT STATING IT WAS A TIRE FALIURE. MY HUSBAND WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND SUFFERS PARTIAL HEARING LOSS FROM THIS ACCIDENT. WE FILED A REPORT IN 1992 AND CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY WHO WAS NOT WILLING TO TAKE THE CASE ON CONTINGINCY DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE COMPANY WE WOULD BE UP AGAINST (FIRESTONE). I WAS FORCED TO DROP THE CASE AT THAT TIME. I JUST WANTED THE PROPER AUTHORITIES TO KNOW THIS HAPPEND TO OTHER VEHICLES OTHER THAN FORD. IT WAS THE TIRE, NOT THE VEHICLE. IF YOU WANT THE PICTURES AND POLICE REPORT, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. SINCERELY, JULIANA SCHIRMER( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 185-13 )

NHTSA ID
731787
Incident
Jul 11, 1992

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

HON950405B

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

CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY REPORT FOR THE 1986-87 ACCORD FUEL FILLER PIPE RECALL. *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

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
1986Viewing542663.4
1985131256.5
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.