1988 Acura Legend recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, 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 1988 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.
2. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.
What could happen: VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.
The fix: UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.
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 1988 LEGEND.
- Book a repair at any authorized Acura dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V171000.
- 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: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Summary: OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.
Consequence: VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.
Remedy: UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.
Notes: SYSTEM: OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION/FMVSS 210.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS AND WAGONS.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Vehicle Speed Control (13), Transmission / drivetrain (8), Brakes (8), Hydraulic (7), Fuel system (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/30/2023 · Wheels / tires
gingerbread factory national fedration newspaper employee. projectory math musuem
02/15/2012 · Transmission / drivetrain
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 ACURA LEGEND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ABLE TO BE ENGAGED IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…
01/15/2004 · Fuel system · crash
I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN VIOLENT FULL ACCELERATION WITH A 1988 ACURA LEGEND, WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH INTO A BUILDING, AND A VERY BADLY BROKEN LEG FOR ME. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF POSSIBLY THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 1986-1988 ACURA LEGEND, AND AM SURE THERE MUST BE THOUSANDS MORE STILL ON THE ROAD. ARE THERE ANY GROUP LAWSUITS CURRE…
05/23/2003 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A WALL. *JB
02/27/2003 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
ON FEB 3, 2003, I WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND PUT CAR IN REVERSE, I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR NO MATTER HOW MUCH PRESSURE I PUT ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR BACK UP ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, INTO MY NEIGHBORS FENCE, WHICH CAUSED FENCE TO BREAK IN SEVERAL PLACES. *JB
02/25/2000 · Seat belts
BELT WEBBING FAILED. SAFETY BELT FAILURE WAS INVESTIGATED BY OFFICER ELROD. POINT OF CONTACT: CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL, CENTRAL DIVISION MULTIDISCIPLINARY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION TEAM, ATTENTION: OFFICER MIKE SEDAM, (559)277-7250 EXT. 234 CASE #CL-008-00. *AK
12/02/1999 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND PUTTING IT IN REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, THE CAR TOOK OFF AT HIGH SPEED AND WOULD NOT STOP WITH APPLICATION OF BRAKES. DRIVER HAD TO TURN CAR OFF IN ORDER TO STOP. VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. MECHANIC CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. *AK *ML
11/24/1999 · Brakes
VEHICLE TOOK OFF AT A HIGH SPEED WHEN IT WAS PUT INTO DRIVE. THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP VEHICLE. SO THE DRIVER HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. *AK