VehicleVerdict

1985 Honda Accord problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 19 complaints on file for the 1985 Honda Accord — 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. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 6 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

19

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

6

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1985 compare to other Accord years?

Accord NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted2,803 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 3 complaints1980: 2 complaints1981: 8 complaints1982: 26 complaints1983: 7 complaints1984: 25 complaints1985: 19 complaints1986: 63 complaints1987: 131 complaints1988: 102 complaints1989: 114 complaints1990: 229 complaints1991: 242 complaints1992: 249 complaints1993: 222 complaints1994: 476 complaints1995: 673 complaints1996: 579 complaints1997: 546 complaints1998: 1,429 complaints1999: 1,345 complaints2000: 1,506 complaints2001: 1,160 complaints2002: 1,267 complaints2003: 2,384 complaints2004: 1,307 complaints2005: 880 complaints2006: 541 complaints2007: 700 complaints2008: 1,854 complaints2009: 858 complaints2010: 703 complaints2011: 357 complaints2012: 506 complaints2013: 1,882 complaints2014: 1,428 complaints2015: 815 complaints2016: 812 complaints2017: 754 complaints2018: 2,803 complaints2019: 1,027 complaints2020: 533 complaints2021: 314 complaints2022: 339 complaints2023: 139 complaints2024: 200 complaints2025: 105 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Accord NHTSA complaints by model year, 1985 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Accord years to avoid →

What are the most common 1985 Honda Accord problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System421%
Suspension211%
Seat Belts211%
Engine211%
Visibility & Wipers211%
Tires & Wheels15%
Transmission15%
Speed Control15%
Lighting15%
Other15%
Brakes15%
Body & Structure15%

Does the 1985 Honda Accord have recalls?

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

92V028000Fuel SystemMarch 3, 1992 · 903,219 units

Defect

IF THE PLASTIC COATING OF THE FUEL FILLER AND/OR BREATHER PIPE IS DAMAGED, SALT WATER MAY ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE PLASTIC COATING AND THE STEEL PIPES, AND THE ACCUMULATION COULD CAUSE CORROSSION WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY RUST THROUGH THE AFFECTED PIPES, ALLOWING GASOLINE FUMES AND FUEL TO LEAK.

Consequence

GASOLINE FUMES AND/OR FUEL LEAKAGE THROUGH THE FILLER ORBREATHER PIPES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy

CORRODED FILLER OR BREATHER PIPES WILL BE CLEANED AND RECOATED OR REPLACED AS NEEDED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“HONDA ACCORD GOING 45 MPH WAS STRUCK ON LEFT REAR BY ANOTHER CAR GOING ALSO FORTY 45 MPH HITTING GAS TANK LOCATED BEHIND LEFT BACK PASSENGER DOOR. CAR INGNITED UNDER CAR AS CAR WAS SPINNING FOR AT LEAST ONE MINUTE. FIRE BURNED THOURGH BACKSEAT IGNITING SEAT AND SEATBELT TENNSIONIERS.CAR DOORS DID…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 9, 2001 · crash · fire

“REPLACEMENT ROTORS BECAME WARPED AFTER SIX MONTHS AND LESS THAN 6000 MPH; ALSO, FRONT OF VEHICLE MAKES NOISE AFTER FRONT BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 1, 1996

“HONDA ACCORD GOING 45 MPH WAS STRUCK ON LEFT REAR BY ANOTHER CAR GOING ALSO FORTY 45 MPH HITTING GAS TANK LOCATED BEHIND LEFT BACK PASSENGER DOOR. CAR INGNITED UNDER CAR AS CAR WAS SPINNING FOR AT LEAST ONE MINUTE. FIRE BURNED THOURGH BACKSEAT IGNITING SEAT AND SEATBELT TENNSIONIERS.CAR DOORS DID…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · August 9, 2001 · crash · fire

“IN THE MORNING WHEN OPENING UP THE TRUNK THERE'S OVER CONDENSATION OF WATER BECAUSE THERE MAY NOT BE ANY AIR CIRCULATION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAIL. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers

1985 Honda Accord — common questions

Is the 1985 Honda Accord reliable?

The record is thin — 19 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1985 Accord problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (4 complaints), engine (2 complaints), seat belts (2 complaints).

Does the 1985 Honda Accord have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1985 Honda Accord. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1985 Honda Accord under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Honda Accord years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Accord years to avoid are 2018, 2003, 2013, 2008, 2000, 1998, 2014, 1999, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2019, 2005, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2007, 2006, 2020, 2022, 2021. The cleanest record among Accord years belongs to 1978.

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.