1988 Acura Legend Problems
- Complaints
- 33filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 195,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.7L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Acura Legend (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1988 Acura Legend. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 12 complaints (36% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (8) and brakes (6). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 195,000 miles. Of all complaints, 10 involved a crash, 12 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Vehicle speed control12 36%
- Brakes6 18%
- Fuel system3 9.1%
- Engine cooling2 6.1%
- Equipment2 6.1%
- Tires2 6.1%
- Electrical system1 3.0%
- Exterior lighting1 3.0%
- Seat belts1 3.0%
Also reported: Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “On feb 3, 2003, I was backing out of driveway and put car in reverse, I could not stop the car no matter how much pressure I put on the brakes. The car back up on the sidewalk in front of my house, into my neighbors fence, which caused fence to break in several places.”
NHTSA complaint #10008202, filed 2003-02Transmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 1988 Acura Legend. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse out of a parking space, the transmission was not able to be engaged in reverse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 210,000. The VIN was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #10448096, filed 2012-02, 210,000 milesBrakes: “Vehicle took off at a high speed when it was put into drive. The brakes did not stop vehicle. So the driver had to put the vehicle into neutral. Dealer said there was nothing wrong.”
NHTSA complaint #852705, filed 1999-11Fuel system: “I experienced sudden violent full acceleration with a 1988 Acura Legend, which resulted in a crash into a building, and a very badly broken leg for me. I have been made aware of possibly thousands of complaints of the same problem with the 1986-1988 Acura Legend, and am sure there must be thousands more still on the road. Are there any group lawsuits currently being put forth, or can you provide me with any suggestions for receiving justice in this matter?”
NHTSA complaint #10070542, filed 2004-01, 180,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 180,000 and 210,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Acura Legend version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legend FWD | 2.7L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Legend FWD | 2.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 95V103001May 24, 1995Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Acura Legend 1986–1990, Honda Accord 1986–1991, Civic 1986–1991 +3 more
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.
- 87V171000Oct 29, 1987Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manualCovers: Acura Legend 1988, Honda Civic 1987–1988, Accord 1987–1988 +2 more
Owners manual information required by fmvss 210, sections 6a and 6b was omitted from the manual.
Recall details for the 1988 Acura Legend → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10037486Nov 1, 2010Tires. Acura: 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…
Other model years of the Acura Legend
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 15 | 60,000 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 21 | 99,000 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 25 | 180,175 | 0 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1992 | 75 | 198,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 117 | 115,780 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 36 | 115,290 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 34 | 167,000 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 33 | 195,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1987 | 9 | 148,900 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 17 | 163,051 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
All Acura Legend model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Acura Legend have?
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1988 Acura Legend as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Acura Legend is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 12 complaints (36% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 8.
Has the 1988 Acura Legend been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Acura Legend get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Acura Legend (Legend, 2.7L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Acura Legend reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 195,000 miles and the middle half falls between 180,000 and 210,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.