1989 Honda ACCORD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
66 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
116,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 66 complaints (12.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 4.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 8 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 4 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Wheels | 3 |
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 8; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 4; Suspension:Front:Control Arm: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Seat Belts: 3; Wheels: 3
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 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 63 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 | 23 |
| 1996 | 20 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
1995: 23; 1996: 20; 2000: 9; 2001: 1; 2002: 3; 2003: 5; 2004: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10086374 · 2004-08-07 (August 7, 2004)
(1) EVENT HYBRID DESIGN FLAW: 1989 HONDA ACCORD 2.0L FUEL INJECTION: MANUFACTURED AS A HYBRID, JULY 1989. PROOF OF HYBRIDIZATION: AUTO PART DEALERS SHOW DIFFERENT PARTS FOR THIS MODEL BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER JULY 1989. ALSO, THE HYBRID FUEL INJECTION IS VISIBLE FROM THE NUMBER OF WIRE AND TUBES FROM THE VALVE COVER FOR THE CARBURETOR AND THE OFFICIAL FUEL-INJECTED MODEL. AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED YET UNUSED VALVE-DRIVE COG SITS IDLY UNDER A COVER WHILE A HYBRID TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM RUNS THE VALVES IN PERFECT TIMING. VIN NUMB…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10086374 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484584 · 1995-07-14 (July 14, 1995)
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484584 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8017455 · 2002-08-28 (August 28, 2002)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8017455 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978204 · 1996-01-26 (January 26, 1996)
WHEN BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND PLACING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978204 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480471 · 1995-01-13 (January 13, 1995)
ELECTRICAL FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480471 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506384 · 1996-07-18 (July 18, 1996)
ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE EGNITION SWITCH, CAUSING VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506384 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10195961 · 2007-07-10 (July 10, 2007)
I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR MY SON, WHO IS 18, AND WHEN A FRIEND WAS GOING TO CHANGE THE OIL AND HE HOISTED IT TO WORK UNDERNEATH IT, THE WHOLE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR IS DAMAGED. THE MUFFLER ISN'T SECURED AS IT IS RUSTED OUT, THE GAS TANK IS SMASHED IN. IT'S RUNNING OFF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE CAR DEALER SAID THE CAR MADE SO MUCH NOISE BECAUSE OF A PIECE THEY HAD CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST PIPE TO MAKE IT THAT WAY. I WAS LIED TO AND I WILL HAVE TO INVEST EVEN MORE MONEY INTO THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE DEALERS INTENTIONAL MISINFORMATION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10195961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 987139 · 1996-07-22 (July 22, 1996)
THE FUEL INJECTOR LEAKS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 987139 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505099 · 1996-05-27 (May 27, 1996)
DISTRIBUTOR/IGNITOR PROBLEMS CAUSE VEHICLE TO STALL CONTINUALLY. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505099 at NHTSA ↗