1986 Honda ACCORD: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
164,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 37 complaints (18.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 10.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 7; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Webbing: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 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 | 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: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 35 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 | 19 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1995: 19; 1996: 7; 2000: 5; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2004: 1; 2007: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 10071163 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
ENGINE: RADIATOR WAS LEAKING-REPLACE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP. TRANSMISSION: HESITATION DURING EXCELLERATION, CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE. REPLACED WITH USED TRANSIMISSION. FUEL SYSTEM: (2X'S) NO REPAIR AS OF YET, HESITATION DURING EXCELLERATION, CANNOT GET INTO GEAR. ENGINE REVES UP BUT CAR WILL NOT GO. MECHANIC CHECKED THE CAR - FILLER NECK IS EXTREMELY RUSTED OUT, HE SAID THEY HAD BEEN RECALLED AND TO GET A HOLD OF THE DEALERSHIP TO GET REPLACED. DEALER SHIP SAID IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. TOOK BACK TO MECHANIC WHO WILL NOT REP…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10071163 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10207539 · 2007-10-31 (October 31, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 HONDA ACCORD. THE INLET PIPE OF THE FUEL TANK IS BUSTED ON THE INSIDE AND PREVENTS FUEL FROM ENTERING THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN IN THE INTERIM. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 92V028001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FUEL SYSTEM IS CARBURETOR. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 198,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,400.
Owner-reported narrative. 198,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10207539 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10289183 · 2009-10-20 (October 20, 2009)
RUST ON THE FUEL FILLER PIPE - 1986 ACCORD - THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT, BUT HONDA DOES NOT RESPECT IT ANYMORE. WHY??? IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD - POTENTIAL FIRE. ON TOP OF THAT HONDA'S CARBURETORS HAVE DEFECTIVE FLOAT - IT GETS STUCK, CAUSING GASOLINE LEAK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289183 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 479680 · 1995-05-24 (May 24, 1995)
SEAT BELT RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED (2ND VEHICLE ON 486604) *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480593 · 1995-01-14 (January 14, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482326 · 1995-03-20 (March 20, 1995)
HEAD LIGHT WIRES ERODED BY SHEET METAL SUPPORT WHEN HEADLIGHT RETRACTED, DUE TO INSUFFICIENT SLACK IN HEAD LIGHTS CABLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482326 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485848 · 1995-06-24 (June 24, 1995)
SEATBELTS RECALLED. (FIRST VEHICLE ON 601391) *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485848 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488923 · 1995-10-10 (October 10, 1995)
SEAT BELTS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488923 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.
92V028001 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Reported: 1993-04-15 (April 15, 1993)
IF THE PLASTIC COATING OF THE FUEL FILLER AND/OR BREATHER PIPE IS DAMAGED, SALT WATER MAY ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE PLASTIC COATING AND THE STEEL PIPES, AND THE ACCUMULATION COULD CAUSE CORROSION WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY RUST THROUGH THE AFFECTED PIPES, ALLOWING GASOLINE FUMES AND FUEL TO LEAK.
Consequence: GASOLINE FUMES AND/OR FUEL LEAKAGE THROUGH THE FILLER ORBREATHER PIPES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: REPAIRS WILL BE MADE TO VEHICLES WITH CORRODED FILLER OR BREATHER PIPES.
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 ↗