1989 Honda Accord

▲ Better than typical
1989 Honda Accord
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:46:08.558Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

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
86
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1989

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

37% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 22 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1989: 86 complaints 1989 86 1990: 193 complaints 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1995: 544 complaints 1996: 472 complaints 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2001: 922 complaints 2002: 1,050 complaints 2003: 1,987 complaints 2004: 1,018 complaints 2004 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 433 complaints 2007: 524 complaints 2008: 1,521 complaints 2009: 727 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2010 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2013: 1,425 complaints 2014: 982 complaints 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 613 complaints 2016 2017: 538 complaints 2018: 1,894 complaints 2019: 695 complaints 2020: 364 complaints 2021: 242 complaints 2022: 263 complaints 2022 2023: 92 complaints 2024: 154 complaints 2025: 97 complaints 2026: 14 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1983 1984: 22 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1986 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1989: 86 complaints 1989 86 1990: 193 complaints 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1995: 544 complaints 1995 1996: 472 complaints 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2001: 922 complaints 2001 2002: 1,050 complaints 2003: 1,987 complaints 2004: 1,018 complaints 2004 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 433 complaints 2007: 524 complaints 2007 2008: 1,521 complaints 2009: 727 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2010 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2013: 1,425 complaints 2013 2014: 982 complaints 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 613 complaints 2016 2017: 538 complaints 2018: 1,894 complaints 2019: 695 complaints 2019 2020: 364 complaints 2021: 242 complaints 2022: 263 complaints 2022 2023: 92 complaints 2024: 154 complaints 2025: 97 complaints 2025 2026: 14 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1982 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 22 complaints 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1986 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1989: 86 complaints 1989 86 1990: 193 complaints 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1994 1995: 544 complaints 1996: 472 complaints 1996 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2000 2001: 922 complaints 2002: 1,050 complaints 2002 2003: 1,987 complaints 2004: 1,018 complaints 2004 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 433 complaints 2006 2007: 524 complaints 2008: 1,521 complaints 2008 2009: 727 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2010 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2012 2013: 1,425 complaints 2014: 982 complaints 2014 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 613 complaints 2016 2017: 538 complaints 2018: 1,894 complaints 2018 2019: 695 complaints 2020: 364 complaints 2020 2021: 242 complaints 2022: 263 complaints 2022 2023: 92 complaints 2024: 154 complaints 2024 2025: 97 complaints 2026: 14 complaints 2026

1989: 86 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19817
198210
19837
198422
198513
198656
1987112
198890
198986
1990193
1991212
1992208
1993186
1994395
1995544
1996472
1997460
19981,200
19991,135
20001,183
2001922
20021,050
20031,987
20041,018
2005656
2006433
2007524
20081,521
2009727
2010580
2011296
2012373
20131,425
2014982
2015601
2016613
2017538
20181,894
2019695
2020364
2021242
2022263
202392
2024154
202597
202614

Known problem areas

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

Seat belts

37% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle was broadsided on the passenger's side and driver's seat belt failed to lock up, forcing driver into steering wheel , etc. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-28

During rear end collision, upon impact driver's seatbelt buckle came undone, just prior experienced difficulty in latching and sometimes popped open.…

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-23

Engine and engine cooling

15% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-22

Also filed under Power train

Vehicle speed control

10% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing linkages.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Had a accident because of sudden acceleration,problem is reoccuring. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-01

Suspension

10% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing control arm and front.

INJURY

Electrical system

8% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Electrical fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-23

Safety timeline

1 recall · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1994-10-27Engineering analysisClosed 1995-07-31 Seat belt buckle failure
  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 Honda Accord — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 32 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 13 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 9 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 95V103001 · Seat belts

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1989 Honda Accord reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1989 Honda Accord is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Honda Accord?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1989 Honda Accord have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.