VehicleVerdict

1989 Acura Legend problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1989 Acura Legend sits mid-pack among Legend years: 47 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 36, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 12 reports (26% of the total).

47

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Legend years?

Legend NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 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, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Legend years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Acura Legend problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1226%
Airbags817%
Electrical System715%
Seat Belts49%
Speed Control36%
Steering36%
Visibility & Wipers24%
Fuel System24%
Seats12%
Lighting12%
Body & Structure12%
Suspension12%
Transmission12%
Engine12%

Does the 1989 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.

90E043003AirbagsOctober 29, 1990 · 36 units

Defect

THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.

Consequence

INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MY FRIEND AND I WERE TRAVELING ON A FOUR LANE ROAD IN THE RAIN GOING 5 MILES UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT. TWO CARS IN FRONT OF US SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND I PROCEEDED TO DO THE SAME THING. FIRST, MY BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME, HAVING ABS I SHOULD HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM, SECOND AS WE HIT THE VEHICLE IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 10, 2001 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE INTO A 2 INCH POTHOLE, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG TO DEPLOY WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 3, 1998 · crash

“VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE TRAVELING AT HWY SPEED OF 60 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND INFORMED THAT IGNITION SWITCH HAD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT UP AND STALLED TWICE MORE. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 15, 2001

“MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 1989 ACURA LEGEND, WHICH THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RELEASED UPON THE IMPACT OF THE INCIDENT. SHE WAS THEN CITATED FOR NOT WEARING A SAFETY BELT. I HAVE RECENTLY FOUND THAT THEY WERE RECALLED IN MAY OF 1995. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON A YEAR AGO.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · December 28, 2003 · crash

“WHILE MAKING A TURN AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING AND TOOK OFF GOING UP HILL. CONSUMER PUMPED BRAKES AND PULLED HAND BRAKE AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL CONSUMER THEN TURNED ENGINE OFF TO STOP. *AK JLG”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 20, 2002

1989 Acura Legend — common questions

Is the 1989 Acura Legend reliable?

It is close to typical for the Legend: 47 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 1989 Legend problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (12 complaints), airbags (8 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints).

Does the 1989 Acura Legend have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Acura Legend. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.