1987 Honda Accord Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write in about two long-running themes: front seat belt buckles that break or release on their own, and fuel filler or breather pipes that rust through and let fuel and fumes escape. Many of the fuel complaints center on the 1992 recall (92V028001) and whether the repair was ever done, was done properly, or can still be obtained. Other reports cluster around unintended increases in engine speed, rear suspension or ball joint failure on cars from northern, road-salt states, and cooling or brake problems on high-mileage examples.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel filler and breather pipe rust-through (fuel smell or

   • 21 complaints (19%)
   • median 137,000 mi at 16.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2006

   Complaints describe fuel odors after the engine is shut off and, in some cases, visible fuel under the car near the filler neck. Owners attribute it to rust-through of the fuel filler pipe and the breather pipe, with corrosion favored by road salt and by a damaged plastic coating. Several owners report the recall repair was declined, described as expired, or performed only with a spray-paint touch-up or an inspection that did not replace the pipe; some had the pipe replaced at their own cost and were refused reimbursement. One owner also reports the replacement filler and cap rusting and separating later. Reported across a wide mileage span, most commonly on older, high-mileage cars, and several owners tie it to northern road-salt exposure.

   Recall 92V028001

   What to check: Ask whether recall 92V028001 was performed and whether the filler and breather pipes were actually replaced rather than inspected. Look at the filler neck and pipe for rust, and check for a fuel smell after the car sits.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car has a strong gas odor after car turned off coming from the fuel filter/line area. The recall order says that they should do it for free. The car is under a recall order (order #92v028001) for corroded fuel lines & fittings. When I took the car in for them to check the lines/fittings, as outlined in the recall order, they said that they would charge me $34 just to see if it was covered under the recall order.”

   NHTSA complaint #752146, filed 2001-09

   “Consumer states fuel line is crossing under the driver mat and is leaking gas due that lines being rusted. Dealer notified. The fuel line was replaced. Consumer questioned what's going to happen the next time it rust through or a passenger is smoking?”

   NHTSA complaint #10033579, filed 2003-09, 137,000 miles
2. 2
   Seat belts

   Seat belt buckle breaks or releases unexpectedly

   • 31 complaints (28%)
   • typically at 8.7 yrs old
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2001

   Owners report the red release button on the front buckle breaking, with pieces falling into the assembly and the buckle then jamming or failing to latch. Others describe belts that click in but come loose with slight movement or pressure, and one reports the buckle unlatching in a collision. Complaints mention dealer replacement of the buckles, with some owners saying the new buckles still do not latch reliably or make no audible click. Reported on cars of a wide range of ages and mileages, with several complaints filed in the mid-1990s.

   Recall 95V103001

   What to check: Buckle and unbuckle each front belt several times and listen for a firm click; tug the belt to confirm it holds. Ask whether the buckle recall (95V103001) was completed and whether the buckles were replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While pulling out of a parking space the vehicle was hit on the drivers side, the impact unlatched the passenger side seat belt causing passengers head to go through the windshield and knees to go through the dash board. Nlm”

   NHTSA complaint #559454, filed 2001-02

   “Consumer had recall repairs done, dealer replaced front belt buckles, owner of vehicle believes buckles are not safe because there is no audible click sound. Consumer states you can not feel the belt engage in the buckle.”

   NHTSA complaint #975196, filed 1995-11

Buying note. On a car this old, the practical questions are whether the fuel filler recall work was actually completed with new pipes and whether the front buckles latch firmly, since those are the two most-reported items. A pre-purchase inspection covering the rear suspension joints, brake hoses and cooling system is also worth the cost.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 40 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.