1989 Honda ACCORD: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10014854 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)
THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL FELL OFF WITHOUT WARNING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 200,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022003 · 2003-06-02 (June 2, 2003)
WHEN VEHICLE IS IDLING THE KEY RELEASES FROM THE IGNITION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023058 · 2003-06-14 (June 14, 2003)
I WISH I HAD KNOWN EARLIER THAT THIS COMPLAINT TO THE NHTSA WAS POSSIBLE. FOR YEARS, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MY 1989 HONDA ACCORD. SINCE THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP THE CAR OVERHEATED AND REVVED VERY HIGH WHENEVER I HAD TO WAIT IN TRAFFIC FOR MORE THAN 15 MINUTES ON A 70 DEGREE OR HIGHER DAYS. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR TO SEVERAL REPAIR FACILITIES AND DESPITE MY SPENDING NEARLY $3,000 ON "REPAIR-WORK", THE PROBLEM CAUSED THE CAR'S DEMISE AT 116,000 MILES ON JUNE 11, 2003. THE GEAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE DESPITE CLUTCH REP…
Owner-reported narrative. 116,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023058 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047791 · 2003-11-04 (November 4, 2003)
VEHICLE'S ODOMETER FAILED AT 88,000 MILES. *MR IT WAS DISCOVERED THE ODOMETER WAS POSSIBLY TAMPERED WITH. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047791 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049447 · 2003-12-09 (December 9, 2003)
TIRES TWO WEEKS OLD. RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW AT 60 MPH. TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED. FIRESTONE DEALER CLAIMED PUNCTURE CAUSED IT. I COULD NOT FIND PUNCTURE. FIRESTONE DID NOT HELP WITH TIRE REPLACEMENT. HAD TO GET A NEW SET OF TIRES (NOT THAT BRAND). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10049447 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061195 · 2004-03-02 (March 2, 2004)
CONSUMER HAD TO STOP DRIVING BECAUSE SEAT BELTS DID NOT STAY LATCHED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10061195 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10069015 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
MY PROBLEM CONTINUES. SO I REPAIR, IT CONTINUES. IT IS HARD TO GET A NEW CAR AND AT THE PRESENT TIME FINANCES AREN'T ALLOWING ME TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. MY HEALTH IS SUFFERING FOR THAT REASON. WHEN I WARM MY CAR UPIN THE MORNINGS, IT REVS VERY HARD, THE CARBON MONOXIDE GETS INTO THE HOUSE...I AM SUFFERING FROM REALLY BAD HEADACHES. I NEED MY CAR TO GT BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. WITHOUT A VEHICLE I HAVE NO JOB. WHAT DO I DO. I AVE COMPLAINED TIL I A BLUE IN THE FACE. THE CAR IS NOW COSTING MORE TO FIX THAN IT IS WORTH.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10069015 at NHTSA ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗