VehicleVerdict

1987 Honda Accord problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1987 Honda Accord sits mid-pack among Accord years: 131 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 468, with 3 recalls and 3 closed investigations. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

Seat Belts leads the complaint categories with 34 reports (26% of the total).

131

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1987 compare to other Accord years?

Accord NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 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, 1987 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Accord years to avoid →

What are the most common 1987 Honda Accord problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts3426%
Fuel System3325%
Tires & Wheels108%
Speed Control97%
Engine86%
Lighting75%
Transmission75%
Brakes54%
Electrical System43%
Suspension43%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Seats22%
Steering22%
Body & Structure22%
Other11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 1987 Honda Accord have recalls?

3 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.

92V028001Fuel SystemApril 15, 1993 · 920,583 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 CORROSION 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

REPAIRS WILL BE MADE TO VEHICLES WITH CORRODED FILLER OR BREATHER PIPES.

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 HAD RECALL REPAIRS DONE, DEALER REPLACED FRONT BELT BUCKLES, OWNER OF VEHICLE BELIEVES BUCKLES ARE NOT SAFE BECAUSE THERE IS NO AUDIBLE CLICK SOUND. CONSUMER STATES YOU CAN NOT FEEL THE BELT ENGAGE IN THE BUCKLE. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · November 20, 1995

“RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 92V028001. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, AND TOOK VEHICLE FOR FUEL TANK FILLER REPAIR. WAS SUPPOSE TO REPLACE FUEL FILLER. LATER FOUND OUT FILLER WAS NOT REPLACED DUE TO CAP NOT FITTING PROPERLY. FILLER WAS RUSTY. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC INDICATED THAT FILLER WAS ONLY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 2, 2001

“COOPER, LIFELINER CLASSIC II TIRES, DOT#U9E8CU9410 , 18570R13; WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING HARD, TIRE TREAD SEPARATED, KNOCKING OFF FRONT BUMPER. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH WHEN THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 28, 2001

“UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION, ACCORDING TO MECHANICS WAS EVIDENTLY CAUSE BY WEAR OR SUDDEN MALFUNCTION IN THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY, A SNAPPED BELT OR CABLE THAT MIGHT ACCOUNT FOR THE BRIEF, REPETITIVE SOUND UNDER THE HOOD IMMEDIATELY BEFOR THE ACCELERATION.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 14, 2000 · crash

“ DRIVER NOTICED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, AND THE HOT SIGN APPEARED ON THE THERMOSTAT. VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, OIL AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD AREA. *AK ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 15, 2003

1987 Honda Accord — common questions

Is the 1987 Honda Accord reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 131 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Accord year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1987 Accord problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (34 complaints), fuel system (33 complaints), tires & wheels (10 complaints).

Does the 1987 Honda Accord have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Honda Accord. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1987 Honda Accord under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 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.