1989 Acura Legend Problems
- Complaints
- 34filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 167,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of 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 1989 Acura Legend (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 1989 Acura Legend. The part named most often is brakes, with 10 complaints (29% of the total), followed by air bags (8) and electrical system (5). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 167,000 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
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.
- Brakes10 29%
- Air bags8 24%
- Electrical system5 15%
- Seat belts4 12%
- Steering3 8.8%
- Vehicle speed control3 8.8%
- Equipment2 5.9%
- Fuel system2 5.9%
- Engine cooling1 2.9%
Also reported: Interior lighting (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #743856, filed 2001-04Air bags: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #8008277, filed 2002-04Electrical system: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #745662, filed 2001-05Seat belts: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10056468, filed 2004-02, 159,000 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 159,000 and 175,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 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 | 20 | 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.
Recall details for the 1989 Acura Legend → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
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 1989 Acura Legend have?
NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 1989 Acura Legend as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Acura Legend is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 10 complaints (29% of the total), followed by air bags with 8.
Has the 1989 Acura Legend been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Acura Legend get?
The EPA rates the 1989 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 1989 Acura Legend reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 167,000 miles and the middle half falls between 159,000 and 175,000 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 30, 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.