VehicleVerdict

1989 Honda Accord problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1989 Honda Accord sits mid-pack among Accord years: 114 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 475, with a single recall and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.

Seat Belts leads the complaint categories with 34 reports (30% of the total).

114

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

17

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Accord years?

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

See all Accord years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Honda Accord problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts3430%
Engine1311%
Suspension1211%
Speed Control98%
Electrical System76%
Fuel System76%
Tires & Wheels65%
Brakes54%
Visibility & Wipers54%
Steering44%
Body & Structure33%
Transmission33%
Other22%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)22%
Seats22%

Does the 1989 Honda Accord have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE WAS BROADSIDED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK UP, FORCING DRIVER INTO STEERING WHEEL , ETC. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · October 31, 1997 · crash

“1989 ACCORD ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE IN THE RED PRIOR TO THE FIRE. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 20, 2006 · fire

“THE VEHICLE'S LEFT BALL JOINT SHREARED OFF CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRIKE A GUARDRAIL RESULTING IN INJURY TO OCCUPANTS (ABDOMINAL AND NECK PAIN) AND DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *YH”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 29, 2001

“WHEN BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND PLACING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 15, 1995 · crash

“SECOND VEHICLE WAS ALSO EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH RELEASING KEY FROM IGNITION SWITCH DURING COLD WEATHER SEASON. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 15, 1998

1989 Honda Accord — common questions

Is the 1989 Honda Accord reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 114 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Accord year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1989 Accord problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (34 complaints), engine (13 complaints), suspension (12 complaints).

Does the 1989 Honda Accord have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1989 Honda Accord. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 Honda Accord under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.