1986 Acura Legend recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, THEN PR…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 LEGEND.
- Book a repair at any authorized Acura dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95V103001.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: 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.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, THEN PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS ANY SIGN OF BREAKAGE OR CRACKING, OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, PROMPTLY CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED HONDA/ACURA DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BELTS; BELT BUCKLES. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2-DOOR, 4-DOOR AND 5-DOOR PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELTS MADE BY TAKATA CORPORATION. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AT AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLETIME, PLEASE CONTACT HONDA/ACURA AT 1-800-999-1009. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (7), Gasoline (7), Seat belts (3), Visibility (wipers / glass) (2), Transmission / drivetrain (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
03/23/2004 · Wheels / tires
WE PURCHASED FOUR GOODYEAR AQUATRED 3 TIRES IN SEPTEMBER 2000. SINCE THAT DATE, THREE OF THE TIRES HAVE FAILED (IN SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER 2003; AND MARCH 2004). ALL THREE TIRES EXPERIENCED A FAILURE (A BLOWOUT) INVOLVING THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES. WE BELIEVE THE HIGH RATE OF FAILURE IN THE SIDEWALL AREA INDICATES A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. LUCKILY, WE WER…
07/11/2001 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING, CONSUMER STATES HE WAS INSTANTLY BLINDED WHILE ROUNDING A TURN, AND DROVE OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, CONSUMER STATES THE WIPER MOTOR CONTINUED TO RUN, BUT THE LINKAGE BETWEEN THE MOTOR AND THE WIPERS APPARENTLY FAILED, CAUSING BOTH OF WIPERS TO BECOME DISCONNECTED AN…
07/10/2001 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
I WAS INSTANTLY BLINDED IN HEAVY RAIN WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND RAN OFF THE ROADRKING. *AK
05/18/2001 · Seat belts
DRIVER'S SIDE RETRACTOR DOES NOT RETRACT, LEAVING SEATBELT LOOSE AROUND THE DRIVER. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK CONSUMER CONTACTED ANOTHER ACURA DEALERSHIP THAT INFORMED HIM THAT SEAT BELTS CAME WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY AND PROMPTLY FIXED THEM. *SLC
01/04/2001 · Transmission / drivetrain
ODOMETER WAS ROLLED BACK. NLM
02/04/2000 · Engine
THERE IS FUEL ESCAPING THROUGH MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE. CONSUMERR STATED THAT IT IS A HEALTH HAZARD. *AK
12/09/1999 · Seat belts
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. *AK
09/17/1997 · Seat belts
SEAT BELT FAILURE.