1986 Honda Accord 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 1986 Honda Accord, 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
- Fuel system1830.5%
- Seat belts1423.7%
- Suspension46.8%
- Brakes35.1%
- Electrical35.1%
- Powertrain (other)35.1%
- Engine35.1%
- Body & structure23.4%
- Driver assistance23.4%
- Interior & seats23.4%
- Transmission23.4%
- Exterior lighting11.7%
- Tires & wheels11.7%
- Other / unspecified11.7%
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER, CAUSING INJURY.
OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE TWO MONTHS AGO FOR SEAT BELTS AND BELT BUCKLES. DEALER SAYS THEY STILL DON'T HAVE PARTS IN. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
UPPER CONTROL ARM BROKE, CAUSING TIRE TO COLLAPSE .
WHEELS: DRIVING ALONG APPROXIMATELY 25MPH WHEN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL COLLAPSED DUE TO UPPER CONTROL ARM. SECOND INCIDENT SAME AS THE FIRST, EXCEPT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL COLLAPSED DUE TO REAR UPPER CONTROL ARM. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS VIBRATION COMING FROM THE CAR. ALSO, VEHICLE STUTTERS TO A STOP. DEALER SAYS VEHICLE NEEDS NEW FRONT DISC BRAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
BRAKES SYSTEM FAILURE, DIFFICULTY STOPPING VEHICLE. TT
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
WIRING HARNESS TO HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY CONTACTS SHARP METAL RIB WHEN RETRACTED. *AK
CV BOOTS REPLACED. *SD
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35 MPH THE FRONT AXLE BROKE IN HALF WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *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
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.
POSSIBLE FAULTY EXHAUST IS CAUSING FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS COULD BE RELATED TO A RECALL. NLM
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
PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE BODY OF THE CAR. *AK
THE DOOR HANDLE IS BROKEN AND CRACKED CAN NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. TT
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
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
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSING VEHICLE TO JUMP CURB HITTING POLE. MJS
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
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HOOD OPENED AND FELL INTO THE WINDSHIELD. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK *JB
BOTH REAR DOOR LOCKS HAVE BROKEN OFF. TT
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
TRANSMISSION DAMAGE CAUSED BY ROCKING CAR OUT OF SNOW BANK. *DSH
TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE. *AK
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH FAILED . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 )
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEELS: DRIVING ALONG APPROXIMATELY 25MPH WHEN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL COLLAPSED DUE TO UPPER CONTROL ARM. SECOND INCIDENT SAME AS THE FIRST, EXCEPT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL COLLAPSED DUE TO REAR UPPER CONTROL ARM. *AK
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 .