1989 Acura Legend
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Acura › Legend › 1989
These records cover every 1989 Acura Legend. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1989 Acura Legend. Newest first.
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 and remedy
Risk
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.
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 and remedy
Risk
Inflator component separation allows hot combustion gases to escape into the passenger compartment which could result in injuries to vehicle occupants.
Remedy
Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.
Owner complaints
34 complaints6 involved a crash1 involved a fire5 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags · Engine and engine cooling · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Overheating problems, ignition problems, airbag does not work, door open light stays on, leak in sunroof when it rains,
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
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. I purchased the vehicle on a year ago.*ak
- Vehicle speed control
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 jlg
- Air bags › Frontal
While pulling into a service station, both air bags deployed without warning. Dealer and the manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Vehicle shut down while traveling at hwy speed of 60 mph. vehicle taken to an independent repair shop and informed that ignition switch had failed and was replaced. *ak consumer states vehicle started right up and stalled twice more. *slc
- Electrical system › Starter assembly · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system · Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft device
Since L998 my car has failed to start and after repeated efforts, when the engine has cooled off, it will start unexpectedly. I have even called the aaa and by the time they arrive, the car will start on its own. I have replaced (at my expense) one starter; and the dealership replaced (at their…
Since L998 my car has failed to start and after repeated efforts, when the engine has cooled off, it will start unexpectedly. I have even called the aaa and by the time they arrive, the car will start on its own. I have replaced (at my expense) one starter; and the dealership replaced (at their cost) another). in addition, as their suggestion, I disengaged by security system, as it was possible that a short was causing a malfunction, and "freezing the engine." the starting problem persists on an on again/off again basis. my car has only been serviced, at appropriate times, by the dealership from which I purchased it. they insist that "nothing appears to be wrong with the car" but it continues to refuse to start, particularly when it has been driven several miles, or when it IS hot outside. this IS a severe hazard to me as I am a single person and can find myself in a distant location with a non-functioning car. I have been informed by another acura legend owner (also 1989) that he has had the identical problem, and has received the same response from our dealership. when questioned, they insist that this IS a unique problem, but I am doubtful of this in light of my friend's experience.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
My friend and I were traveling on a four lane road in the rain going 5 miles under the speed limit. two cars in front of us slammed on their brakes and I proceeded to do the same thing. first, my brakes locked up on me, having ABS I should have not had this problem, second as we hit the vehicle…
My friend and I were traveling on a four lane road in the rain going 5 miles under the speed limit. two cars in front of us slammed on their brakes and I proceeded to do the same thing. first, my brakes locked up on me, having ABS I should have not had this problem, second as we hit the vehicle in front of use two things happended, one my passanger's seatbelt did not take hold and he ended up in the hospital with minor injuries. second my airbag did not deploy causing be to strike the steering wheel with no injuries.*ak
- Electrical system › Starter assembly · Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft device
Repeated difficulty in starting the car. starter has been replaces twice/ security system has been deactivated. problem persists.*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. · Interior lighting
Radio goes on and off, bells ring, dash lights go on and off. vehicle stops. looks like a dead battery, but IS not. it has been in the shop for over three months this time. neither the honda dealer or an independent dealer can find the problem. problem IS ongoing occurring about every three…
Radio goes on and off, bells ring, dash lights go on and off. vehicle stops. looks like a dead battery, but IS not. it has been in the shop for over three months this time. neither the honda dealer or an independent dealer can find the problem. problem IS ongoing occurring about every three months. honda dealer told us car was repaired. we went to pick it up, and it wouldn't start. had it towed to an independent repair shop. they can't find the problem. this has been ongoing since about three months after we purchased the car in 1998.
- Fuel system, gasoline
When driving/applying brakes/ accelerating, or even making turns could smell fuel fumes. contacted dealer who was not able to help. *ak
- Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. · Structure › Body › Door · Visibility › Windshield
The radio antennae would not retract in or extend completely due to poor design. nlm
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
The seatbelts (all 5 seatbelts) failed to responsd to a forceful break. I contacted a dealer in california years ago, but they said that it was not their responsibility. my question IS what dot can do to protect us customers from imported cars which fail to equip proper seatbelt systems? And to…
The seatbelts (all 5 seatbelts) failed to responsd to a forceful break. I contacted a dealer in california years ago, but they said that it was not their responsibility. my question IS what dot can do to protect us customers from imported cars which fail to equip proper seatbelt systems? And to whom the customer can contact? Because I have tried to contact acura manufacture thru their web page, but they provide no feedback portion.*ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle experienced air bag deployment while waiting at a four-way stop sign. Dealer / manufacturer notified. *ak
- Seats
Seat has stuck, it cant be adjusted appropriately for the driver. Dealer has not seen vehicle. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
While driving consumer drove vehicle into a 2 inch pothole, causing the driver's airbag to deploy which resulted in an accident. cause unknown. please provide further information. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS failure.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS makes a squeking noise. told by dealer to disconnect or pay over $1500 to repair. service advisor claims simply disconnect them on all the complaints. this sounds like a major problem with the legend and should be investigated.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
ABS brakes failed due to corrosion. Also replaced master cylinder.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Fluid
Brakes failed, pedal touched floor when applied. brake fluid had metal shaving in it.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Recall # 95v103001, acura dealer IS not able to honor recall. Letter stated that vehicle could be brought to a honda or acura dealership. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
#95V103001, dealership refuses to give consumer an appointment for recall repairs unless the work IS paid for. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
While driving the consumer hit a dent in the road and the air bag deployed. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
Wife driving, cruise control set, vehicle picked up speed, tried canceling, tried brakes, finally pulled over/turned off vehicle; dealership noticed same problem, husband had cruise control disconnected. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Experiencing brake failure when activating the ABS brake system. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
ABS brake system losing fluid, master cylinder malfunctioning need to pump pedal in order to stop. *ak the problem was determined to be a faulty ABS modulator.*jb
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10037486Acura: there are guidelines for various situations and procedures including: tire pressure valve stem installation, trailer stability malfunction light IS on, engine oil application guide, new software, new transmission fluid, notchy steering feeling.
- 10009256Intermittent sra diagnostic trouble code 1-1 to 1-5, driver's airbag inflator circuit. October tech line information.
- 41092Campaign resposnsibility report for the 1989-90 legend igniter product update campaign.
- 39393Special return: igniter.
- 39243Clicking noise while clicking.
Every Acura Legend model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.