VehicleVerdict

1987 Acura Legend problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 1987 Acura Legend — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

9

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

6

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1987 compare to other Legend years?

Legend NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted158 complaints1986: 17 complaints1987: 9 complaints1988: 42 complaints1989: 47 complaints1990: 45 complaints1991: 158 complaints1992: 111 complaints1993: 30 complaints1994: 26 complaints1995: 20 complaints
Legend NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Legend years to avoid →

What are the most common 1987 Acura Legend problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control333%
Transmission222%
Brakes111%
Fuel System111%
Suspension111%
Visibility & Wipers111%

Does the 1987 Acura Legend have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

95V103001Seat BeltsMay 24, 1995 · 3,700,000 units

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.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. CONSUMER PUT VEHCILE IN GEAR AND VEHCILE TOOK OFF THROUGH TWO YARDS WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL.*AK THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT SLAMMED INTO DIRT BANK. BEFORE THIS INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND A COMPUTER CARD WAS CHANGED TO FIT THE TEMPERATURE CONDITON. *YH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 6, 2000 · crash

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE TO THE SPEED THE RPM'S INDICATED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THIS OCCURRED EVERY 50,000 MILES AND THE CLUTCH HAS BEEN REBUILT A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 3, 2006

“WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE BROKE IN HALF, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 2, 1998

“I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR REPAIR BECAUSE THE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. IT COST ME $248 FOR REPAIRS. IN THREE MONTHS THE REGULATOR FAILED AGAIN. OF COURSE THE REGULATOR WAS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY DECIDED TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME THEY FOUND A REPAIR BULLETIN EXPLAINING THAT THE CONSTANT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 15, 2003

1987 Acura Legend — common questions

Is the 1987 Acura Legend reliable?

The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 1987 Acura Legend have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1987 Acura Legend. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1987 Acura Legend under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Acura Legend years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Legend years to avoid are 1991, 1992. The cleanest record among Legend years belongs to 1987.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.