1989 Honda Accord
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Honda › Accord › 1989
These records cover every 1989 Honda Accord. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1989 Honda Accord. 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.
Owner complaints
86 complaints13 involved a crash10 involved a fire13 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe · Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
I bought the car for my son, who IS 18, and when a friend was going to change the oil and he hoisted it to work underneath it, the whole underside of the car IS damaged. the muffler isn't secured as it IS rusted out, the gas tank IS smashed in. it's running off the catalytic converter and the car…
I bought the car for my son, who IS 18, and when a friend was going to change the oil and he hoisted it to work underneath it, the whole underside of the car IS damaged. the muffler isn't secured as it IS rusted out, the gas tank IS smashed in. it's running off the catalytic converter and the car dealer said the car made so much noise because of a piece they had connected to the exhaust pipe to make it that way. I was lied to and I will have to invest even more money into the car because of the dealers intentional misinformation. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
1989 accord engine compartment caught on fire. *ts the vehicle caught on fire while the consumer was driving 65 mph. the consumer noticed the temperature gauge in the red prior to the fire. *nm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system · Power train › Automatic transmission · Suspension
(1) event hybrid design flaw: 1989 honda accord 2.0L fuel injection: manufactured as a hybrid, july 1989. proof of hybridization: auto part dealers show different parts for this model before, during, and after july 1989. Also, the hybrid fuel injection IS visible from the number of wire…
(1) event hybrid design flaw: 1989 honda accord 2.0L fuel injection: manufactured as a hybrid, july 1989. proof of hybridization: auto part dealers show different parts for this model before, during, and after july 1989. Also, the hybrid fuel injection IS visible from the number of wire and tubes from the valve cover for the carburetor and the official fuel-injected model. An original equipment installed yet unused valve-drive cog sits idly under a cover while a hybrid timing chain system runs the valves in perfect timing. Vin number: [xxx] the hybrid honda has a dangerous engine and transmission design-flaw vibration. an original design causes the vibration. We replaced the tires with new perfectly balanced tires and replaced the brake rotors and brake pads and replaced the suggested engine and transmission mounts. The honda still has the dangerous design flaw engine and transmission vibration. auto-parts dealers differ on what engine and transmission mounts to use. Honda will not provide a factory manual on how many or where engine mounts and transmission mounts the hybrid needs. The hybrid design flaw vibration caused me to swerve into the other lane and barely avoid a head-on collision. When the driver applies an initial load as small as engagement of the air conditioning, the steering wheel actually jumps up and down. The design flaw dangerously vibrates the whole automobile. we replaced the tires with perfectly balanced tires, the motor mounts and the transmission mounts, and brake rotors and brake pads. braking IS smooth. honda will not provide a factory manual to determine where or how many parts to use. chilton and hayesauto repair manuals do not have the hybrid detail. All part suppliers have too many variations for the engine and transmission mounts for this hybrid. Honda should repair this design flaw in this automobile since it IS a hybrid design flaw.*ak updated 07/25/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6)
- Engine and engine cooling · Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system · Power train
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. when I warm my car upin the mornings, it revs very hard, the carbon monoxide gets into the house...i…
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. when I warm my car upin the mornings, it revs very hard, the carbon monoxide gets into the house...i am suffering from really bad headaches. I need my car to GT back and forth to work. without a vehicle I have no job. what do I do. I ave complained til I a blue in the face. the car IS now costing more to fix than it IS worth.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Consumer had to stop driving because seat belts did not stay latched. *Ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Tires two weeks old. right rear tire blew at 60 mph. tread completely separated. firestone dealer claimed puncture caused it. I could not find puncture. firestone did not help with tire replacement. had to get a new set of tires (not that brand). *ak
- Unknown or other
Vehicle's odometer failed at 88,000 miles. *mr it was discovered the odometer was possibly tampered with. *scc *jb
- Engine and engine cooling · Power train › Clutch assembly
I wish I had known earlier that this complaint to the nhtsa was possible. for years, I did not know what to do about a serious problem with my 1989 honda accord. since the first year of ownership the car overheated and revved very high whenever I had to wait in traffic for more than 15 minutes…
I wish I had known earlier that this complaint to the nhtsa was possible. for years, I did not know what to do about a serious problem with my 1989 honda accord. since the first year of ownership the car overheated and revved very high whenever I had to wait in traffic for more than 15 minutes on a 70 degree or higher days. I've taken the car to several repair facilities and despite my spending nearly $3,000 on "repair-work", the problem caused the car's demise at 116,000 miles on june 11, 2003. the gear would not engage despite clutch replacements in jan or feb. 2003 and in 1999. I had to have it towed home. I have taken very good care of my car, with regular oil changes every 3 to 6 months hoping to keep it till an odometer reading of at least 160,000 miles. this problem started within a year of ownership and I felt that I had no recourse but to try to get it repaired. I did not take it to my honda dealer because I felt that their charges for oil changes were excessive compared to regular gas stations charges and to my mind, delivered ineffectual repairs and suspect suggestions for repair as was the practice in other dealerships in the early 90'S. my honda experience was not a good one and has cost me half the price of the car in repairs. I don't know if you can seek any redress for me since I purchased the car so long ago but I think I've been dealt a bad deal. thinking back on it all, I believe I was sold a lemon. I didn't think this was possible in a honda but when I read the complaints section of this website, many of then to do with engine cooling problems, my faith in honda IS questionable. I had intended to buy a honda the second time around but I will think twice now and consider instead the highly-rated VW passat or a toyota. *nlm
- Electrical system › Ignition
When vehicle IS idling the key releases from the ignition. Dealer notified. *Ak
- Wheels
The driver side wheel fell off without warning. *jb
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Dealership did not have parts for ignition recall, and they didn't know when the parts will be available. Ts....*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
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.*ak
- Seat belts
The seat belts do not lock when pulled with a jerk. in case of an accident, it will not restrrain the driver or the passenger.*ak
- Suspension › Front › Control arm
The vehicle's left ball joint shreared off causing the driver to loose control of the vehicle and strike a guardrail resulting in injury to occupants (abdominal and neck pain) and damage to the vehicle. (Ohio traffic crash report) *yh
- Suspension › Front › Control arm
Back ball joints broke off twice. dealer checked vehicle, and noticed left front ball joint had the same problem. *slc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Unknown cause for fire. Melted entire engine and hood area, hood had to be cut open. Car IS totaled.
- Tires
Full tread separation on this tire. tread/inflation was fine, however, they were on the car when I bought it. car was handling poorly for 30 mins before failure. failure was after 60-90mins of travel at 70-80 mph on 90+ degree day in texas. could be isolated incident, but was the same type of failure as the atx recall. (Tiresize: 185 90 R14)( dot number: tire size: 185 90 R14 )
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Second vehicle was also experiencing problem with releasing key from ignition switch during cold weather season. Dealer was not notified at this time. Please feel free to provide any further details. *ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
A new set of firestone tires was installed in sep 1998. Mileage appr 135000. On september 11, 2000 the drivers side front tire blew and caused exrensive damage to the wheelwell, wheel, front bumper. Fortunately driver, my daughter 20years of age was able to stop the car on the shoulder of the…
A new set of firestone tires was installed in sep 1998. Mileage appr 135000. On september 11, 2000 the drivers side front tire blew and caused exrensive damage to the wheelwell, wheel, front bumper. Fortunately driver, my daughter 20years of age was able to stop the car on the shoulder of the turnpike in ok, with legal speedlimit of 75mph. Want to know if other incidents with passenger tires of firestone have occcures in light of the ford explores tires.( dot number: tire size: p195/60r14 )
- Structure › Body › Bumpers
Rear bumper dropping down on both sides 1 1/2 inch, front bumper appears to be dropping also. *et
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine was leaking oil. Was not smoking. Took to dealer & was informed to keep oil in engine. Took to another dealer & informed the engine needed to be overhauled. Finally, had the valve cover gasket replaced.*ak
- Unknown or other
No summary
- Suspension › Front › Control arm · Wheels
Wheel fell off while driving. consumer's wife stated that the right wheel was hanging out. this was the second 1986 honda accord that had wheel fall off, due to upper control arm failure. *ak *ML
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Seat belt retractors do not lock when pulled aggressively. I do not believe they would restrain a person in an accident,
- Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system
Put in neutral at stop light. Upon taking out of gear, engine shot up to 5000 rpm. Had to turn off car, burning smell, car dieseled for one minute. Had to get carburator fixed.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Seat belt buckle failure
There is no summary currently available
Every Honda Accord model year
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