VehicleVerdict

1988 Acura Legend problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1988 Acura Legend sits mid-pack among Legend years: 42 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 36, with 2 recalls and 3 closed investigations. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

Speed Control leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (29% of the total).

42

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

3

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1988 compare to other Legend years?

Legend NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 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, 1988 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Legend years to avoid →

What are the most common 1988 Acura Legend problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control1229%
Brakes819%
Transmission819%
Fuel System37%
Engine37%
Electrical System25%
Tires & Wheels25%
Other12%
Seat Belts12%
Body & Structure12%
Lighting12%

Does the 1988 Acura Legend have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.

87V171000OtherOctober 29, 1987 · 99,088 units

Defect

OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.

Consequence

VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.

Remedy

UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“CONSUMER STARTED VEHICLE UP AND PUT VEHICLE IN REVERSE, VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN HIGH SPEED. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP. IT WENT INTO A BURNING SLOPE AND HIT A TREE AND SLOWED DOWN. CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, AND IT WENT FORWARD AND KEPT GOING AT HIGH SPEED. VEHICLE WENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 6, 1998 · crash

“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR INTO REVERSE AT VERY HIGH SPEED, HIT SOMEONE AND STUCK TWO HOUSES BEFORE STOPPING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · crash

“WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A HILL WITH THE EMERCENCY PARKING BRAKE ACTIVATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND HIT A WALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 17, 1996 · crash

“I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN VIOLENT FULL ACCELERATION WITH A 1988 ACURA LEGEND, WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH INTO A BUILDING, AND A VERY BADLY BROKEN LEG FOR ME. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF POSSIBLY THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 1986-1988 ACURA LEGEND, AND AM SURE THERE MUST BE THOUSANDS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 15, 2003 · crash

“COOLANT WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE ENGINE. ALSO, TRANSMISSION OIL WAS LEAKING/FUEL INJECTORS WERE LEAKING GASOLINE, AND ENGINE HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 25, 1999

1988 Acura Legend — common questions

Is the 1988 Acura Legend reliable?

It is close to typical for the Legend: 42 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1988 Legend problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (12 complaints), brakes (8 complaints), transmission (8 complaints).

Does the 1988 Acura Legend have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1988 Acura Legend. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1988 Acura Legend under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 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.