1989 Acura LEGEND: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
167,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 23 complaints (21.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 34.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 8.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 2 |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 2 |
| Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 5; Air Bags:Frontal: 4; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 2; Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.: 2; Steering:Column Locking:Anti-Theft Device: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags: 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). 21 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 | 7 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
1995: 7; 1996: 4; 2000: 3; 2001: 5; 2002: 2; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10056468 · 2004-02-03 (February 3, 2004)
MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 1989 ACURA LEGEND, WHICH THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RELEASED UPON THE IMPACT OF THE INCIDENT. SHE WAS THEN CITATED FOR NOT WEARING A SAFETY BELT. I HAVE RECENTLY FOUND THAT THEY WERE RECALLED IN MAY OF 1995. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON A YEAR AGO.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 159,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056468 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068859 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, IGNITION PROBLEMS, AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK, DOOR OPEN LIGHT STAYS ON, LEAK IN SUNROOF WHEN IT RAINS,
Owner-reported narrative. 175,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068859 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480060 · 1995-01-26 (January 26, 1995)
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG WHEN DRIVER BUMPED A CURB WHILE PARKING, RESULTING IN INJURIES, ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480060 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485769 · 1995-07-05 (July 5, 1995)
REAR BRAKES WEAR OUT PREMATURELY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501521 · 1995-11-20 (November 20, 1995)
CRUISE CONTROL VACUUM RELEASE SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO SPIDER GETTING INTO VACUUM RELEASE TUBE. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501521 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 551482 · 2000-03-21 (March 21, 2000)
THE RADIO ANTENNAE WOULD NOT RETRACT IN OR EXTEND COMPLETELY DUE TO POOR DESIGN. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 551482 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719489 · 2000-03-01 (March 1, 2000)
THE SEATBELTS (ALL 5 SEATBELTS) FAILED TO RESPONSD TO A FORCEFUL BREAK. I CONTACTED A DEALER IN CALIFORNIA YEARS AGO, BUT THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. MY QUESTION IS WHAT DOT CAN DO TO PROTECT US CUSTOMERS FROM IMPORTED CARS WHICH FAIL TO EQUIP PROPER SEATBELT SYSTEMS? AND TO WHOM THE CUSTOMER CAN CONTACT? BECAUSE I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT ACURA MANUFACTURE THRU THEIR WEB PAGE, BUT THEY PROVIDE NO FEEDBACK PORTION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719489 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 739594 · 2001-01-18 (January 18, 2001)
RADIO GOES ON AND OFF, BELLS RING, DASH LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. VEHICLE STOPS. LOOKS LIKE A DEAD BATTERY, BUT IS NOT. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER THREE MONTHS THIS TIME. NEITHER THE HONDA DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT DEALER CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM IS ONGOING OCCURRING ABOUT EVERY THREE MONTHS. HONDA DEALER TOLD US CAR WAS REPAIRED. WE WENT TO PICK IT UP, AND IT WOULDN'T START. HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 1998.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 739594 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗