1991 Acura Legend Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 1991 model year most often report problems with the factory Bose audio system and with the speaker amplifiers behind the rear seat, including popping, crackling, humming and smoke, and many complaints describe difficulty getting the recall remedy because parts were unavailable. A second cluster of reports covers frontal air bags that did not deploy in collisions, and a smaller set describes brake pedal travel, transmission shifting and cooling system problems, typically on vehicles with well over 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Equipment

   Bose audio amplifier popping, crackling and burning smell

   • 41 complaints (35%)
   • median 49,450 mi at 12.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2004

   Complaints describe loud humming, popping, crackling or screeching from the speakers, sometimes with a burning smell and smoke from the trunk or behind the rear seat where the speaker amplifiers are mounted. Some owners report the amplifier overheating, melting or catching fire, and several say the rear speakers were damaged when the amplifier shorted. Owners also report that dealers told them the replacement part was not available and advised them not to use the radio, and several say their pre-recall reimbursement claims were denied for insufficient documentation. Reported across a wide range of mileages and ages, often years after the car was new; several complaints note cold-to-moderate ambient temperatures and normal driving or simply starting the car.

   Recall 01V053000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 01V053000 was completed and whether the amplifiers behind the rear seat were replaced; listen to the stereo at moderate volume for popping or hum and look for smoke staining or a burning smell in the trunk.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Audio system failed to work properly, loud humming sound, ear splitting sounds, popping is heard in the radio reception. Intermittently failure, didn't use audio since recall notice. Dealer said further notice of part availibility will be mailed this fall. I want my vehicle repaired now.”

   NHTSA complaint #9003844, filed 2001-06

   “I received a safety recall notice from Acura march 2001. Notice advised me not to use radio, and radio would be replaced by dealer. Called nearest authorized dealer in april 2001; they said they had no parts and it was a corporate problem. Called Acura, who said I would just have to wait; parts were scarce. They again warned me not to use my radio. I asked for a date by which my car would be repaired. I was told they didn't know. …”

   NHTSA complaint #748488, filed 2001-07
2. 2
   Air bags

   Front air bags did not deploy in a collision

   • 14 complaints (12%)
   • median 168,000 mi at 13.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Complaints describe frontal impacts at roughly 30 to 50 mph, including head-on and offset collisions, where neither the driver nor the passenger air bag deployed. Some owners also report that the seat belt did not lock or that the anti-lock brakes were not working at the time. In these reports the outcome was injuries or a vehicle towed away, rather than a dealer diagnosis of the air bag system. Reported at collision speeds around 30-50 mph, on vehicles ranging from relatively low mileage to about 168,000 miles.

   What to check: Have the air bag warning lamp checked, ask whether the air bag system has ever been serviced or diagnosed, and be aware that a lamp that never lights or never goes out is worth investigating before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at approximately 40 MPH consumer's vehicle was involved in a collision, and hit another vehicle in the front right side. Upon impact, airbags failed to deploy. Vehicle was towed to a salvage yard.”

   NHTSA complaint #10063448, filed 2004-03, 168,000 miles

   “Consumer was driving about 45-50 MPH and suddenly another vehicle stopped right in front of consumer's vehicle, and it ran right into the rear of consumer's vehicle. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Driver and passenger sustained minor injuries.”

   NHTSA complaint #10089637, filed 2004-08
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake pedal fades and needs pumping to stop

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the brake pedal sinking toward the floor and the car taking much longer to stop, sometimes requiring repeated pumping or the emergency brake to slow down. One complaint attributes the loss of pressure to the anti-lock brake system, and another describes the anti-lock system failing and the car skidding. Complaints mention master cylinder replacement that did not always resolve the problem. Reported during ordinary driving at around 45 mph and on vehicles with roughly 100,000-120,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the brake fluid level and condition, look for leaks around the master cylinder and anti-lock brake components, and ask whether the master cylinder or anti-lock brake pressure switch has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had major problems with the cooling system overheating. I had to replace every part of the system, radiator, thermostat, water pump, timing belt, radiator cap in order to maintain correct temp. At 118000 miles my speed gauge jumps and sometimes record speeds as high as 90+ MPH when I am approaching a stop. The speed sensor replacement is approximatley $200.”

   NHTSA complaint #10069526, filed 2004-01, 96,000 miles

   “Anti-lock brake pressure failure. All pressure in braking system failed during normal driving conditions. Had to pump brakes several times and apply emergency brake to slow vehicle to stop. I checked msn website for used car research info and it stated that failure to anti-lock brake pressure switch on 1991 Acura Legend is a common problem on this vehicle. I believe this is a very dangerous problem. If someone is too close to another vehicle then attempts to stop and has no pressure in there braking system serious injury could occur. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10030530, filed 2003-07, 115,780 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh or jerky automatic transmission shifting

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the automatic transmission thrusting or jerking the car forward when shifting into second gear from low speed, and one owner reports repeated transmission rebuilds with jerking on downshifts and near-neutral behaviour when easing off the throttle. One complaint notes poor fuel mileage and noise inside the cabin along with the shifting problems, and another says the car jumps when gears are selected. Reported across a range of ages, without a consistent mileage figure in the sample.

   Recall 91V065000

   What to check: Drive the car from a stop through the gears to feel for a hard second-gear engagement, check the transmission fluid level and colour, and note whether the D4 indicator blinks or the speedometer fluctuates while driving.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I recently came across this website, I have a 1991 Acura Legend, purchased brand-new. To date I have had to replace the speed sensor, radiator, master cylinder, A/C condenser, anti-theft system work randomly and goes crazy, rear right window does not work most of the time, factory keyless entry has failed, bose audio amp has blown, have not replaced nor received a recall notice, tape deck over heats and tapes get stuck, switching gears the car jumps. Cannot unlock car with keys, had to install aftermarket keyless entry system.”

   NHTSA complaint #10045064, filed 2003-10

   “The vehicle experienced transmission problems. There was noise on the inside of the vehicle, poor gas mileage, jerking when shifting gears, current (uneasy driving conditions), and have experienced problems with the third re-built transmission when downshifting the gears up during stops slowing down and almost neutral when lightening up on the gas pedal.”

   NHTSA complaint #10112851, filed 2005-02

Buying note. Check that recall 01V053000 for the speaker amplifiers was completed and that the audio system is quiet, and have the brakes, cooling system and transmission checked on a car this old, since complaints often center on those areas. Records of past repairs, particularly the master cylinder, radiator and water pump, are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.