1988 Acura LEGEND: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10020513 · 2003-05-23 (May 23, 2003)
WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A WALL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070542 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN VIOLENT FULL ACCELERATION WITH A 1988 ACURA LEGEND, WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH INTO A BUILDING, AND A VERY BADLY BROKEN LEG FOR ME. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF POSSIBLY THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 1986-1988 ACURA LEGEND, AND AM SURE THERE MUST BE THOUSANDS MORE STILL ON THE ROAD. ARE THERE ANY GROUP LAWSUITS CURRENTLY BEING PUT FORTH, OR CAN YOU PROVIDE ME WITH ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR RECEIVING JUSTICE IN THIS MATTER?
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070542 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 11541746 · 2023-08-30 (August 30, 2023)
gingerbread factory national fedration newspaper employee. projectory math musuem
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11541746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484734 · 1995-08-05 (August 5, 1995)
REPLACED 3 OUT OF 4 MICHELIN TIRES DUE TO BUBBLES ON SIDE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484734 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489093 · 1995-04-14 (April 14, 1995)
C.V. JOINT FAILURE. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719262 · 2000-02-25 (February 25, 2000)
BELT WEBBING FAILED. SAFETY BELT FAILURE WAS INVESTIGATED BY OFFICER ELROD. POINT OF CONTACT: CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL, CENTRAL DIVISION MULTIDISCIPLINARY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION TEAM, ATTENTION: OFFICER MIKE SEDAM, (559)277-7250 EXT. 234 CASE #CL-008-00. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719262 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
87V171000 · Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual
Reported: 1987-10-29 (October 29, 1987)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗95V103001 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1995-05-24 (May 24, 1995)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗