VehicleVerdict

1991 Acura Legend problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 158 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.4 times the median Legend year — the 1991 model ranks #1 of 10 Legend years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 41% of all reports (65 of 158), far ahead of brakes at 15.

158

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Legend years?

Legend NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 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, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Legend years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Acura Legend problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System6541%
Brakes159%
Airbags149%
Speed Control106%
Engine106%
Transmission106%
Visibility & Wipers64%
Body & Structure64%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)43%
Tires & Wheels32%
Seat Belts32%
Steering32%
Lighting21%
Latches & Locks21%
Other21%
Fuel System21%
Suspension11%

Does the 1991 Acura Legend have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

06E065000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 3,593 units

Defect

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

01V053000Electrical SystemFebruary 22, 2001 · 47,158 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN AND COUPE MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A BOSE AUDIO SYSTEM THAT HAD SEPARATE SPEAKER AMPLIFIERS MOUNTED BEHIND THE REAR SEAT BACK. A TRANSISTOR IN THE SPEAKER AMPLIFIER COULD OVERHEAT.

Consequence

THIS OVERHEATING CAN RESULT IN SMOKE OR THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AMPLIFIER CIRCUIT BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

91V065000TransmissionApril 17, 1991 · 14,230 units

Defect

TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE BRACKET CAN BE DAMAGED BY THE ENGINE ROCKING FORWARD ON ENGINE MOUNTS IN A MINOR COLLISION.

Consequence

WHEN THE SHIFT CABLE BRACKET IS DAMAGED, THE SHIFT LEVERPOSITION MAY NOT CORRECTLY INDICATE THE TRANSMISSION GEAR POSITION. THIS COULDRESULT IN UNANTICIPATED MOVEMENT OF THE CAR AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE AND ATTACHING HARDWARE WITH REDESIGNED ASSEMBLIES.

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.

“CONSUMER WAS RIDING ALONG & NOTICED THE TRUNK WAS ON FIRE , AND VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. MANUFACTURER SENT AN INVESTIGATOR. BUT HE COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE THAT TRIGGERED THE FIRE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 15, 2000 · fire

“VEHICLE WAS AT COMPLETE STOP, WENT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, RPMS UNKNOWN, APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH HAD NO EFFECT, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 27, 1997 · crash

“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45-50 MPH AND SUDDENLY ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND IT RAN RIGHT INTO THE REAR OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 23, 2004 · crash

“VEHICLE WAS AT COMPLETE STOP, WENT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, OPEN THROTTLE POSITION, RPMS UNKNOWN, APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH HAD NO EFFECT, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · March 27, 1997 · crash

“WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 12, 1998 · crash

1991 Acura Legend — common questions

Is the 1991 Acura Legend reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 158 complaints put the 1991 model at #1 of 10 Legend years. It is one of the Legend years to avoid.

What are the most common 1991 Legend problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (65 complaints), brakes (15 complaints), airbags (14 complaints).

Does the 1991 Acura Legend have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 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.