SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
1989 Honda Accord
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 86 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Honda Accord, most frequently naming the seat belts, engine and driver assistance categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1995 | 2 | 2 |
| Feb 1995 | 2 | 4 |
| Mar 1995 | 3 | 7 |
| Apr 1995 | 2 | 9 |
| May 1995 | 4 | 13 |
| Jun 1995 | 2 | 15 |
| Jul 1995 | 1 | 16 |
| Aug 1995 | 1 | 17 |
| Sep 1995 | 4 | 21 |
| Oct 1995 | 1 | 22 |
| Dec 1995 | 1 | 23 |
| Jan 1996 | 5 | 28 |
| Feb 1996 | 3 | 31 |
| Mar 1996 | 3 | 34 |
| Apr 1996 | 2 | 36 |
| May 1996 | 1 | 37 |
| Jun 1996 | 2 | 39 |
| Jul 1996 | 4 | 43 |
| Nov 1996 | 2 | 45 |
| Dec 1996 | 3 | 48 |
| Feb 1997 | 1 | 49 |
| Apr 1997 | 1 | 50 |
| May 1997 | 2 | 52 |
| Jun 1997 | 1 | 53 |
| Aug 1997 | 1 | 54 |
| Jan 1998 | 1 | 55 |
| Feb 1998 | 1 | 56 |
| Mar 1998 | 2 | 58 |
| Oct 1998 | 1 | 59 |
| Nov 1998 | 1 | 60 |
| May 1999 | 1 | 61 |
| Jul 1999 | 1 | 62 |
| Aug 1999 | 1 | 63 |
| Mar 2000 | 1 | 64 |
| Apr 2000 | 1 | 65 |
| Jul 2000 | 2 | 67 |
| Sep 2000 | 1 | 68 |
| Oct 2000 | 3 | 71 |
| Dec 2000 | 1 | 72 |
| Jul 2001 | 1 | 73 |
| Aug 2002 | 2 | 75 |
| Dec 2002 | 1 | 76 |
| Apr 2003 | 1 | 77 |
| Jun 2003 | 2 | 79 |
| Nov 2003 | 1 | 80 |
| Dec 2003 | 1 | 81 |
| Jan 2004 | 1 | 82 |
| Mar 2004 | 1 | 83 |
| Aug 2004 | 1 | 84 |
| Jul 2006 | 1 | 85 |
| Jul 2007 | 1 | 86 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Seat belts3231.1%
- Engine1211.7%
- Driver assistance98.7%
- Fuel system76.8%
- Suspension76.8%
- Electrical65.8%
- Brakes54.9%
- Visibility54.9%
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.govSafety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR MY SON, WHO IS 18, AND WHEN A FRIEND WAS GOING TO CHANGE THE OIL AND HE HOISTED IT TO WORK UNDERNEATH IT, THE WHOLE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR IS DAMAGED. THE MUFFLER ISN'T SECURED AS IT IS RUSTED OUT, THE GAS TANK IS SMASHED IN. IT'S RUNNING OFF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE CAR DEALER SAID THE CAR MADE SO MUCH NOISE BECAUSE OF A PIECE THEY HAD CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST PIPE TO MAKE IT THAT WAY. I WAS LIED TO AND I WILL HAVE TO INVEST EVEN MORE MONEY INTO THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE DEALERS INTENTIONAL MISINFORMATION. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10195961
- Incident
- Jun 30, 2007
1989 ACCORD ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE IN THE RED PRIOR TO THE FIRE. *NM
- NHTSA ID
- 10163693
- Incident
- May 20, 2006
(1) EVENT HYBRID DESIGN FLAW: 1989 HONDA ACCORD 2.0L FUEL INJECTION: MANUFACTURED AS A HYBRID, JULY 1989. PROOF OF HYBRIDIZATION: AUTO PART DEALERS SHOW DIFFERENT PARTS FOR THIS MODEL BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER JULY 1989. ALSO, THE HYBRID FUEL INJECTION IS VISIBLE FROM THE NUMBER OF WIRE AND TUBES FROM THE VALVE COVER FOR THE CARBURETOR AND THE OFFICIAL FUEL-INJECTED MODEL. AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED YET UNUSED VALVE-DRIVE COG SITS IDLY UNDER A COVER WHILE A HYBRID TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM RUNS THE VALVES IN PERFECT TIMING. VIN NUMBER: [XXX] THE HYBRID HONDA HAS A DANGEROUS ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION DESIGN-FLAW VIBRATION. AN ORIGINAL DESIGN CAUSES THE VIBRATION. WE REPLACED THE TIRES WITH NEW PERFECTLY BALANCED TIRES AND REPLACED THE BRAKE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AND REPLACED THE SUGGESTED ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS. THE HONDA STILL HAS THE DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION VIBRATION. AUTO-PARTS DEALERS DIFFER ON WHAT ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS TO USE. HONDA WILL NOT PROVIDE A FACTORY MANUAL ON HOW MANY OR WHERE ENGINE MOUNTS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS THE HYBRID NEEDS. THE HYBRID DESIGN FLAW VIBRATION CAUSED ME TO SWERVE INTO THE OTHER LANE AND BARELY AVOID A HEAD-ON COLLISION. WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIES AN INITIAL LOAD AS SMALL AS ENGAGEMENT OF THE AIR CONDITIONING, THE STEERING WHEEL ACTUALLY JUMPS UP AND DOWN. THE DESIGN FLAW DANGEROUSLY VIBRATES THE WHOLE AUTOMOBILE. WE REPLACED THE TIRES WITH PERFECTLY BALANCED TIRES, THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, AND BRAKE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. BRAKING IS SMOOTH. HONDA WILL NOT PROVIDE A FACTORY MANUAL TO DETERMINE WHERE OR HOW MANY PARTS TO USE. CHILTON AND HAYESAUTO REPAIR MANUALS DO NOT HAVE THE HYBRID DETAIL. ALL PART SUPPLIERS HAVE TOO MANY VARIATIONS FOR THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS FOR THIS HYBRID. HONDA SHOULD REPAIR THIS DESIGN FLAW IN THIS AUTOMOBILE SINCE IT IS A HYBRID DESIGN FLAW.*AK UPDATED 07/25/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 10086374
- Incident
- Apr 3, 2004
CONSUMER HAD TO STOP DRIVING BECAUSE SEAT BELTS DID NOT STAY LATCHED. *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10061195
- Incident
- Mar 2, 2004
MY PROBLEM CONTINUES. SO I REPAIR, IT CONTINUES. IT IS HARD TO GET A NEW CAR AND AT THE PRESENT TIME FINANCES AREN'T ALLOWING ME TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. MY HEALTH IS SUFFERING FOR THAT REASON. WHEN I WARM MY CAR UPIN THE MORNINGS, IT REVS VERY HARD, THE CARBON MONOXIDE GETS INTO THE HOUSE...I AM SUFFERING FROM REALLY BAD HEADACHES. I NEED MY CAR TO GT BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. WITHOUT A VEHICLE I HAVE NO JOB. WHAT DO I DO. I AVE COMPLAINED TIL I A BLUE IN THE FACE. THE CAR IS NOW COSTING MORE TO FIX THAN IT IS WORTH.
- NHTSA ID
- 10069015
- Incident
- Aug 15, 2001
TIRES TWO WEEKS OLD. RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW AT 60 MPH. TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED. FIRESTONE DEALER CLAIMED PUNCTURE CAUSED IT. I COULD NOT FIND PUNCTURE. FIRESTONE DID NOT HELP WITH TIRE REPLACEMENT. HAD TO GET A NEW SET OF TIRES (NOT THAT BRAND). *AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10049447
- Incident
- Dec 7, 2003
VEHICLE'S ODOMETER FAILED AT 88,000 MILES. *MR IT WAS DISCOVERED THE ODOMETER WAS POSSIBLY TAMPERED WITH. *SCC *JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10047791
- Mileage
- 88,000 mi
I WISH I HAD KNOWN EARLIER THAT THIS COMPLAINT TO THE NHTSA WAS POSSIBLE. FOR YEARS, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MY 1989 HONDA ACCORD. SINCE THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP THE CAR OVERHEATED AND REVVED VERY HIGH WHENEVER I HAD TO WAIT IN TRAFFIC FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES ON A 70 DEGREE OR HIGHER DAYS. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO SEVERAL REPAIR FACILITIES AND DESPITE MY SPENDING NEARLY $3,000 ON "REPAIR-WORK", THE PROBLEM CAUSED THE CAR'S DEMISE AT 116,000 MILES ON JUNE 11, 2003. THE GEAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE DESPITE CLUTCH REPLACEMENTS IN JAN OR FEB. 2003 AND IN 1999. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR, WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES EVERY 3 TO 6 MONTHS HOPING TO KEEP IT TILL AN ODOMETER READING OF AT LEAST 160,000 MILES. THIS PROBLEM STARTED WITHIN A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP AND I FELT THAT I HAD NO RECOURSE BUT TO TRY TO GET IT REPAIRED. I DID NOT TAKE IT TO MY HONDA DEALER BECAUSE I FELT THAT THEIR CHARGES FOR OIL CHANGES WERE EXCESSIVE COMPARED TO REGULAR GAS STATIONS CHARGES AND TO MY MIND, DELIVERED INEFFECTUAL REPAIRS AND SUSPECT SUGGESTIONS FOR REPAIR AS WAS THE PRACTICE IN OTHER DEALERSHIPS IN THE EARLY 90'S. MY HONDA EXPERIENCE WAS NOT A GOOD ONE AND HAS COST ME HALF THE PRICE OF THE CAR IN REPAIRS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEEK ANY REDRESS FOR ME SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR SO LONG AGO BUT I THINK I'VE BEEN DEALT A BAD DEAL. THINKING BACK ON IT ALL, I BELIEVE I WAS SOLD A LEMON. I DIDN'T THINK THIS WAS POSSIBLE IN A HONDA BUT WHEN I READ THE COMPLAINTS SECTION OF THIS WEBSITE, MANY OF THEN TO DO WITH ENGINE COOLING PROBLEMS, MY FAITH IN HONDA IS QUESTIONABLE. I HAD INTENDED TO BUY A HONDA THE SECOND TIME AROUND BUT I WILL THINK TWICE NOW AND CONSIDER INSTEAD THE HIGHLY-RATED VW PASSAT OR A TOYOTA. *NLM
- NHTSA ID
- 10023058
- Incident
- Jun 11, 2003
- Mileage
- 116,000 mi
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 77 | 0 | 0 | 47.2 |
| 2024 | 135 | 3 | 1 | 64.6 |
| 2023 | 83 | 5 | 1 | 70.2 |
| 2022 | 221 | 4 | 1 | 64.0 |
| 2021 | 217 | 4 | 1 | 66.2 |
| 2020 | 345 | 5 | 1 | 64.4 |
| 2019 | 663 | 6 | 2 | 66.2 |
| 2018 | 1,833 | 6 | 2 | 64.5 |
| 2017 | 529 | 3 | 0 | 58.9 |
| 2016 | 594 | 4 | 0 | 58.8 |
| 2015 | 599 | 5 | 2 | 61.7 |
| 2014 | 975 | 4 | 2 | 60.8 |
| 2013 | 1,418 | 5 | 5 | 63.2 |
| 2012 | 372 | 8 | 1 | 64.1 |
| 2011 | 296 | 9 | 0 | 58.9 |
| 2010 | 579 | 13 | 1 | 58.7 |
| 2009 | 720 | 11 | 2 | 59.5 |
| 2008 | 1,520 | 9 | 3 | 59.4 |
| 2007 | 524 | 10 | 4 | 67.5 |
| 2006 | 430 | 17 | 4 | 64.5 |
| 2005 | 656 | 24 | 4 | 65.6 |
| 2004 | 1,016 | 22 | 4 | 65.3 |
| 2003 | 1,987 | 24 | 5 | 64.2 |
| 2002 | 1,050 | 16 | 7 | 67.4 |
| 2001 | 920 | 19 | 10 | 68.0 |
| 2000 | 1,183 | 21 | 5 | 63.5 |
| 1999 | 1,135 | 17 | 5 | 61.4 |
| 1998 | 1,200 | 19 | 3 | 61.3 |
| 1997 | 460 | 15 | 0 | 55.3 |
| 1996 | 472 | 13 | 0 | 55.4 |
| 1995 | 543 | 14 | 2 | 65.0 |
| 1994 | 369 | 13 | 0 | 58.9 |
| 1993 | 186 | 11 | 0 | 58.8 |
| 1992 | 206 | 12 | 0 | 58.9 |
| 1991 | 212 | 13 | 1 | 59.8 |
| 1990 | 192 | 12 | 6 | 63.1 |
| 1989Viewing | 86 | 1 | 1 | 56.3 |
| 1988 | 88 | 2 | 1 | 60.5 |
| 1987 | 111 | 3 | 3 | 63.2 |
| 1986 | 54 | 2 | 6 | 63.4 |
| 1985 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 56.5 |
| 1984 | 22 | 2 | 3 | 54.1 |
| 1983 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 50.0 |
| 1981 | 7 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1980 | 2 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1979 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1978 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
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.