MYRModel Year Report

1990 Honda Accord

▲ Better than typical
1990 Honda Accord
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:28:04.274Z

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
193
Recalls
12

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Structure

19% 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 1990: 193 complaints 1990 193 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 1990: 193 complaints 1990 193 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 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 1988 1989: 86 complaints 1990: 193 complaints 1990 193 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

1990: 193 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.

Structure

19% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing door and body.

Show complaint excerpts

Hi we'll all I could said that park my car on 53TH st and hooper yesterday at 11PM was my last seen of the car is a Honda Accord 90 green the problem is that is not register under my name but I have the papers on hand.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-01-04

Upon opening passenger's/driver's doors, automatic seat belt attached to doors, returned to position snapping the visors off.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-10-20

Seat belts

18% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and retractor.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My daughter was hit head-on and her body slammed against the steering wheel. She was wearing both the lap and automatic shoulder belt. Apparently the locking mechanism did not work on the shoulder belt.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-22

Leaving work, vehicle hit rear left passenger door, hit steering wheel with shoulder and chest, seat belt did not restrain.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-03-26

The contact owns a 1990 Honda Accord. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the driver’s side seat belt retractor failed to work as needed. The seat belt warning light was illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2022-06-02

Latches/locks/linkages

16% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing latch and lock.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

14% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and switch.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer stated that her vehicle caught fire. Also, she was told that the brake light in the back window shorted out. This caused a wire to ignite and there were flames and black smoke. The intense heat caused the rear windshield to explode.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-07-21

Drove one tenth of mile; stopped car; pumped gas; smelled odor; turned on ignition; noticed smoke coming from underhood; fire caused by faulty alternator.…

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-03-17

I was driving down a major street when the engine suddenly died. I reacted quickly and was able to coast and pull off onto a side street without interrupting the flow of traffic. I barely made the turn without the power steering.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-05-02

Power train

8% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Safety timeline

12 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. I
    1990-09-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-01-22 Door lock actuator failure
  2. I
    1990-12-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-03-18 Trunk lid failure
  3. I
    1991-01-23Engineering analysisClosed 1991-12-05 Door lock actuator failure
  4. I
    1991-03-18Engineering analysisClosed 1991-10-31 Trunk lid failure
  5. R
    1993-04-08Seat belts93V056000 The rear outside seating position safety belts may lock up at angles other than those required by FMVSS 209, "Seat belt assemblies". This does not conform to the motor vehicle safety standard.

    Remedy: Replace the sensor in the rear seat belt retractor.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1993-09-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-01-31 Stalling
  7. I
    1994-10-27Engineering analysisClosed 1995-07-31 Seat belt buckle failure
  8. 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2006-04-17Exterior lighting06E032000 Certain eagle eyes and sonar headlights and corner lights sold as aftermarket for use on 1988-2005 Honda civic, 1990-2005 Honda Accord, and 1990-2001 Acura integra passenger vehicles listed above.…

    Remedy: Tom motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the purchase of noncompliant lights. The recall began April 17, 2006. Owners may contact tom motorsport at 626-968-4007.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2006-05-02Exterior lighting06E025000 Certain poli-auto combination headlamp assemblies, p/nos. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&c), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730…

    Remedy: Poli-auto will notify owners and offer to repurchase the headlamps at its original purchase price. The recall is expected to begin during April 2006. Owners may contact poli-auto at 305-477-1356.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2006-05-09Exterior lighting06E023000 Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to…

    Remedy: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006. Owners may contact anzo USA at 909-468-3688.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…

    Remedy: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006. Owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. R
    Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles.

    Remedy: Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2006. Owners may contact tradesonic at 626-934-8884.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Honda Accord — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Structure: 36 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 34 reports on file for this year.
  • Latches/locks/linkages: 30 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 93V056000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 95V103001 · Seat belts
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E032000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E023000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1990 Honda Accord reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Honda Accord is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Honda Accord?
The most-reported component is structure, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 Honda Accord have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.

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