Model year record

1990 Acura Legend recalls & problems

The 1990 Acura Legend has 2 safety recalls and 36 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (12 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints36filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Seat beltsMay 24, 1995

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 95V1030013,700,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Air bagsOct 29, 1990

Frontal

Recall 90E04300336 vehicles

Problem: THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Risk: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Fix: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Legend

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Legend

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Master cylinder	12	4	0	0	—
StructureBody › Trunk lid; Body › Door	5	1	0	2	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	4	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	4	3	0	3	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	3	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Starter assembly	3	0	1	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Rear/other	2	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	2	2	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	2	0	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	2	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	2	1	0	1	—
SuspensionFront	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinderCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 ACURA LEGEND. WHILE BACKING UP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES CEASED TO FUNCTION WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,580.
Apr 22, 2016 · 79,580 miles
Air bagsCrash1 injury
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN WHICH CAUSED MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY CAUSEING SWELLING TO MY FACE AND THE FUMES FROM THE AIR BAG ITSELF WAS VERY STRONG. *TR
Mar 19, 2014
Steering
I HAVE HAD THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED IN 2001, 2002 AND 2003 WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES AND AROUND A YEAR OF WEAR. THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE REPLACED, THE DEALER DID THEM AND PUT IN DEFECTIVE PARTS. AND REFUSED TO REPLACE THEM EVEN AFTER ADMITTING THEIR DEFECTIVENESS-- OF COURSE THE SERVICE REP DENIES HAVING ADMITTED THIS.
Aug 15, 2001 · 151,000 miles
Seat belts › Rear/other
SEAT BELTS IN THE REAR JUST POPPED OUT AND CONSUMER CANNOT USE THEM. WHAT CAN SHE DO?*AK
Jun 18, 2003
Structure › Body › Trunk lid1 injury
THE SPRINGS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO HOLD MY TRUNK LID OPEN AREN'T STRONG ENOUGH AND THE LID CLOSES SUDDENLY WHEN THERE IS A BREEZE OR IT'S PARKED ON A INCLINE. IT PROBABLY HAPPENS AT LEAST 5 TIMES A MONTH, OR MORE FREQUENTLY DEPENDING UPON THE WEATHER OR WHERE I'M PARKING. I'VE BEEN THUMPED IN THE HEAD AND NECK.
Feb 6, 2003
Power train › Automatic transmission
TRANSMISSION FAILED FOR THE THIRD TIME. MR
Aug 21, 2002
Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.
10/30/99 WIRING FOR RADIO/SPEAKERS BURNED. WORLD OF SOUND REBUILT ALL FOUR AMPS; TOTAL COST $728.17. 8/24/02 SAME BURNING SMELL, SAME FAILURE. WORLD OF SOUND REPAIRED/REPLACED REAR SPEAKERS AT TOTAL COST OF $360.40.
Oct 30, 1999
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhoodFire
VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH ENGINE TURNED OFF AND KEYS WERE OUT OF THE IGNITION. 20 MINUTES LATER,HEARD ALARM SOUND. WENT OUTSIDE AND VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE WHILE MOTOR WAS RUNNING. CAUSE NOT KNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Feb 3, 2002

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.