1986 Honda Accord Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe rust in the fuel filler pipe, which can lead to gasoline leaks, fuel odor and fuel reaching the ground, and some report leaks continuing after recall repairs. Other complaints describe stalling, hesitation, unexpected forward movement and gasoline smell inside the cabin. Where mileage is given, these cases are at roughly 130,000 to 198,000 miles, and the complaints were filed between the mid-1990s and the late 2000s.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Rusted fuel filler pipe leaking gasoline

   • 15 complaints (28%)
   • median 164,200 mi at 23.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2009

   Owners describe rust or corrosion in the fuel filler pipe, sometimes where its protective coating has separated or rusted through, leading to gasoline leaks, fuel odor and fuel running onto the ground. Some owners say the pipe was replaced or repaired under the recall for this part, yet rust or leaks continued. According to the complaints, the dealer said a leak was not covered under the recall, and owners say the manufacturer was contacted and reportedly said nothing more could be done once recall work was completed. Where mileage is given it is about 130,000 miles, and the complaints were filed from the mid-1990s into the late 2000s, when the cars were more than a decade old.

   Recall 92V028001

   What to check: Inspect the fuel filler pipe, its coating and the area around it for rust, wet spots or a gasoline smell, and ask whether recall 92V028001 work was done and recorded. Ask whether the pipe was replaced or only repaired, since some owners report leaks after recall work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “A few years ago, my car vaulted forward and I hit a post. Thought it was my fault so had it repaired. A few years later the area where my fuel goes into rotted and I had it replaced because of a recall. Upon looking up recalls at that time I realized there had been another recall about the car vaulting forward with no reason.. It was to late for me to tell them what happened before but it has since happened again and iwould like to find that recall to show the Honda people. Thanks”

   NHTSA complaint #743559, filed 2001-04

   “Received recall notice (#92v020001). Took to dealer & mechanic said he replaced the part. Was transferred to nc. Fuel leaked inside vehicle & destroyed carpeting. Had vehicle checked & informed part was not replaced, was rusted. Called manufacturer. &was informed nothing could be done since work was already done.”

   NHTSA complaint #822167, filed 1998-03
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Stalling, hesitation or unexpected forward movement

   • 5 complaints (9%)
   • median 198,400 mi at 22.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2007

   Some owners describe the engine stalling after it warms up when they release the gas pedal, and hesitation when accelerating, with the engine revving but the car not moving. Other complaints describe the car moving forward unexpectedly, including with the engine revving in hot weather, and a fuel tank inlet pipe that failed inside and stopped fuel from reaching the engine. According to the complaints, a carburetor adjustment did not end the problem, and a mechanic found holes in the area of the carburetor. Where mileage is given it is about 198,000 miles, and some of these symptoms appear once the engine is warm or in hot weather.

   What to check: On a test drive, check for hesitation under acceleration and for stalling once the engine is fully warm and the gas pedal is released. Ask for records of any carburetor or fuel-system work, since some complaints say the adjustments did not end the problem.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “During hot weather my engine revs up to a dangerous level, and I can not stop the problem I have to put my foot hard on the brake to keep it stopped at a stop sign. The car will go forward without me pushing on the accelerator. I was told to keep the air conditioner on to try to slow it down. It only happens when it is hot outside, and I am afraid to drive it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #744972, filed 2001-05

   “Starts the engine and fuel choke comes on . When engine warms up and and driver removes foot from gas pedal the engine stalls. Bulliten 93-021, for filler neck and pocket, mechanic found holes in the area of the carburetor which caused the stalling.”

   NHTSA complaint #836660, filed 1999-04
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Gasoline smell or fuel leaking into cabin

   • 11 complaints (20%)
   • median 164,200 mi at 23.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2009

   Owners describe gasoline fumes or odor inside the passenger compartment, in some cases with fuel found leaking inside the vehicle and damaging the carpeting. A complaint links the odor to a leaking fuel injector seal, and after the injectors were replaced the problem reportedly cleared. Some owners suspect the exhaust as the source, though the fuel smell itself is described inside the car. Mileage is not listed in these complaints, which were filed from the late 1990s into the early 2000s.

   Recall 92V028001

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel filler and breather pipes were checked for corrosion, and check the cabin and the fuel injector area for a gasoline smell or wet spots.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer received notification that vehicle was affected by recall campaign 92v028001/fuel systems. Dealership examined vehicle in july 1997, and determined that component being recalled was not corroded, and did not need replacement. In september 2001, consumer noticed gasoline odors in passenger compartment, and discovered fuel leaking from vehicle. Dealership examined vehicle and determined a corroded fuel filler was causing leak. Consumer was being held responsible for the cost of all repairs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #8003189, filed 2002-01

   “Leakage at middle seal of fuel injector, smell of gasoline fumes inside interior, owner replaced fuel injectors, problem clear ed at this time, could cause fire.”

   NHTSA complaint #807055, filed 1997-01

Buying note. For this model year, a buyer may want the fuel filler pipe and fuel system checked, since most of these complaints center on corrosion and leaks, and some describe engine hesitation. Ask for records of recall and fuel-system work before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 23 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.