1989 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 1989 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. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
What could happen: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
The fix: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
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 1989 LEGEND.
- Book a repair at any authorized Acura dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 90E043003.
- 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: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Summary: THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Consequence: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
Notes: NOTE: THIS CAMPAIGN WAS INITIATED BY TRW, INC., MANUFACTURER OF THE AIR BAG MODULE SYSTEM: AIR BAG MODULES. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH DRIVER SIDE SUPPLEMENTAL AIRBAG MODULES.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1989 Acura Legend owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (11), Hydraulic (11), Airbags (8), Electrical system (5), Seat belts (4).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
02/03/2004 · Seat belts · crash
MY MOTHER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 1989 ACURA LEGEND, WHICH THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RELEASED UPON THE IMPACT OF THE INCIDENT. SHE WAS THEN CITATED FOR NOT WEARING A SAFETY BELT. I HAVE RECENTLY FOUND THAT THEY WERE RECALLED IN MAY OF 1995. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON A YEAR AGO.*AK
01/15/2004 · Engine
OVERHEATING PROBLEMS, IGNITION PROBLEMS, AIRBAG DOES NOT WORK, DOOR OPEN LIGHT STAYS ON, LEAK IN SUNROOF WHEN IT RAINS,
08/23/2002 · Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE MAKING A TURN AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING AND TOOK OFF GOING UP HILL. CONSUMER PUMPED BRAKES AND PULLED HAND BRAKE AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL CONSUMER THEN TURNED ENGINE OFF TO STOP. *AK JLG
04/22/2002 · Airbags
WHILE PULLING INTO A SERVICE STATION, BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
08/17/2001 · Electrical system
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE TRAVELING AT HWY SPEED OF 60 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND INFORMED THAT IGNITION SWITCH HAD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT UP AND STALLED TWICE MORE. *SLC
05/22/2001 · Steering
SINCE L998 MY CAR HAS FAILED TO START AND AFTER REPEATED EFFORTS, WHEN THE ENGINE HAS COOLED OFF, IT WILL START UNEXPECTEDLY. I HAVE EVEN CALLED THE AAA AND BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVE, THE CAR WILL START ON ITS OWN. I HAVE REPLACED (AT MY EXPENSE) ONE STARTER; AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED (AT THEIR COST) ANOTHER). IN ADDITION, AS THEIR SUGGESTION, I DISENGAG…
04/11/2001 · Brakes · crash
MY FRIEND AND I WERE TRAVELING ON A FOUR LANE ROAD IN THE RAIN GOING 5 MILES UNDER THE SPEED LIMIT. TWO CARS IN FRONT OF US SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND I PROCEEDED TO DO THE SAME THING. FIRST, MY BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME, HAVING ABS I SHOULD HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM, SECOND AS WE HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF USE TWO THINGS HAPPENDED, ONE MY PASSANGER'S SEAT…
03/30/2001 · Steering
REPEATED DIFFICULTY IN STARTING THE CAR. STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACES TWICE/ SECURITY SYSTEM HAS BEEN DEACTIVATED. PROBLEM PERSISTS.*AK