1989 Acura Legend

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1989 Acura Legend
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:36:27.862Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
35
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Service brakes

37% of complaints

Complaints per year

1986: 17 complaints 1986 1987: 9 complaints 1988: 34 complaints 1989: 35 complaints 1989 35 1990: 36 complaints 1991: 117 complaints 1992: 75 complaints 1992 1993: 25 complaints 1994: 21 complaints 1994 1995: 15 complaints
1986: 17 complaints 1986 1987: 9 complaints 1987 1988: 34 complaints 1988 1989: 35 complaints 1989 35 1990: 36 complaints 1990 1991: 117 complaints 1991 1992: 75 complaints 1992 1993: 25 complaints 1993 1994: 21 complaints 1994 1995: 15 complaints 1995
1986: 17 complaints 1986 1987: 9 complaints 1987 1988: 34 complaints 1988 1989: 35 complaints 1989 35 1990: 36 complaints 1990 1991: 117 complaints 1991 1992: 75 complaints 1992 1993: 25 complaints 1993 1994: 21 complaints 1994 1995: 15 complaints 1995

1989: 35 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198617
19879
198834
198935
199036
1991117
199275
199325
199421
199515

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

37% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Air bags

23% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Upon impact, air bag deployed but bag exploded resulting in chest injury to sturnam (Breast bone). Please describe details. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-07-05

False deployment of driver's air bag when driver bumped a curb while parking, resulting in injuries, attorney for client.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-06-01

Electrical system

14% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing starter assembly and switch.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

While parked, 6 hours after driven, vehicle caught fire in dash, due to electrical short in front wiring harness. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-23

Seat belts

11% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-02-03

Vehicle speed control

9% · 3 reports
Show complaint excerpts

While making a turn and without any indication, vehicle started accelerating and took off going up hill. Consumer pumped brakes and pulled hand brake and vehicle continued to travel consumer then turned engine off to stop. *ak…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-23

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1990-11-14Air bags90E043003 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.

    Remedy: Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.

  2. R
    1995-05-19Seat belts95V103001 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…

    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…

Buy-smart checklist

1989 Acura Legend — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 13 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 90E043003 · Air bags
  • Recall 95V103001 · Seat belts

FAQ

Is the 1989 Acura Legend reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Acura Legend?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 Acura Legend have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.