1988 Acura LEGEND problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
195,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 18 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 22.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 16.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Equipment:Electrical | 1 |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Tires: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Equipment:Electrical: 1; Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 2
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
1995: 8; 1996: 4; 2000: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2012: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10008202 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
ON FEB 3, 2003, I WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND PUT CAR IN REVERSE, I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR NO MATTER HOW MUCH PRESSURE I PUT ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR BACK UP ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, INTO MY NEIGHBORS FENCE, WHICH CAUSED FENCE TO BREAK IN SEVERAL PLACES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963610 · 1995-04-12 (April 12, 1995)
ABS MODULATOR AND PRESSURE HOSE ARE LEAKING. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963610 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10448096 · 2012-02-15 (February 15, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 ACURA LEGEND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ABLE TO BE ENGAGED IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 210,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 210,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10448096 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802243 · 1996-09-11 (September 11, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN TOWN, HEARD A LOUD BANG LIKE HITTING A POT HOLE, STOPPED VEHICLE AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, WOULD NOT START AGAIN, HAD TO PUSH OUT OF TRAFFIC, HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, MECHANIC CHECKED, TRANSMISSION HAD A HOLE IN IT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802243 at NHTSA ↗