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1988 Acura LegendProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 33 owner complaints about the 1988 Acura Legend, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the Legend median · #3 of 9 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints3315 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem12Vehicle speed control

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 30, 2023. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Acura Legend has problems

33 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Vehicle speed control128
Power train81
Service brakes, hydraulic50
Fuel system, gasoline31
Equipment21
Tires20
Engine and engine cooling20
Seat belts11
Exterior lighting10
3 other systems31

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1988 Acura Legend recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 95V-103 · May 24, 1995 · 3,700,000 vehicles

Risk. THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Acura.

Best & worst years

1988 vs. every other Legend year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Legend median. How we score

'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Acura Legend, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SUDDEN ACCELERATIONDP88005 · closed Mar 8, 1988
    No recall
  2. SUDDEN ACCELERATIONEA88026 · closed Jan 10, 1991
    No recall
  3. SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREEA94035 · closed Jul 31, 1995
    Led to recall 95V-103
In owners' words

What Legend owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 10020513 · May 23, 2003
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
Complaint 10008202 · Feb 27, 2003
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
Complaint 853580 · Dec 2, 1999

Own a 1988 Legend?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.