ACURA LEGEND · model year

1991 ACURA LEGEND

158 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1991ACURALEGEND carries 158 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 16 crashes, 6 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1991 LEGEND is equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/cd etc. with 59 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (11) and vehicle speed control (8). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 1991 LEGEND, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

158
Complaints
16
Crashes
6
Fires
12
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

158 filings

Crashes Reported

16 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.59
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP7
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER5
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS5
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR5
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL3
AIR BAGS2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY2
POWER TRAIN2

Recent Complaints

20180224FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN 2006 AND SOMEONE FORGED THE SIGNATURE 2008. THEREFORE, I AM REPORTING A STOLEN LEGEND ACURA.I REPORTED TO THE DMV AND I ALSO HAD INSURANCE ON IT BUT THE DMV HIS IT THE VIN NUMBER FROM ME AND CLAIMED THAT I NEVER HAD A VEHICLE BUT THE HAD MY INSURANCE LISTED FOR THE VEHICLE.

20150210TIRES

[XXX] WITH THE G [XXX] XXXX XXXX 1989 ACURA LEGEND JH4K MICHELIN 205-60-R15 DOD HNP2 011X 5112 DOD HNP2 011X 5112 MC26920605T MICHELIN DEFENDER GRNX 51440 205/60R15 91T,51440 NTB INVOICE [XXX] ORDER NUMBER [XXX] MILEAGE 96168 MIL NOW 126971 USE OF TIRES 30,803 ON 90,000 COVER WWW.MICHELINMAN.COM/PROMISE NO MICHELIN REPRESENTATIVE, EMPLOYEE OR RETAILER HAS THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE OR IMPLY ANY REPRESENTATION, PROMISE OR AGREEMENT, WHICH IN ANY WAY VARIES THE TERMS OF THIS WARRANTY. THESE LIMITED WARRANTIES APPLY ONLY IN THE UNITED STATES U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA, INC. ATTENTION: CONSUMER CARE DEPARTMENT POST OFFICE BOX 19001 GREENVILLE, SC 29602-9001 THE USA 1-800-847-3435 REF NUMBER ON THIS CASE:[XXX] WWW.MICHELINMAN.COM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 126,000

20051114SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REPLACEMENT BRAKE PADS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE WERE COVERED WITH BRAKE DUST WITHIN THREE DAYS OF THE REPLACEMENT. HE REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS WITH AN AFTER MARKET BRAND AND THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE ACURA REPLACEMENT BRAKE PAD PART NUMBER WAS 45022-SM5-506.*AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM

20051114EQUIPMENT

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REPLACEMENT BRAKE PADS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE WERE COVERED WITH BRAKE DUST WITHIN THREE DAYS OF THE REPLACEMENT. HE REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS WITH AN AFTER MARKET BRAND AND THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE ACURA REPLACEMENT BRAKE PAD PART NUMBER WAS 45022-SM5-506.*AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM

20050310POWER TRAIN

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *BF THERE WAS NOISE ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, POOR GAS MILEAGE, JERKING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, CURRENT (UNEASY DRIVING CONDITIONS), AND HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE THIRD RE-BUILT TRANSMISSION WHEN DOWNSHIFTING THE GEARS UP DURING STOPS SLOWING DOWN AND ALMOST NEUTRAL WHEN LIGHTENING UP ON THE GAS PEDAL. *SC

20050310ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *BF THERE WAS NOISE ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, POOR GAS MILEAGE, JERKING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, CURRENT (UNEASY DRIVING CONDITIONS), AND HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE THIRD RE-BUILT TRANSMISSION WHEN DOWNSHIFTING THE GEARS UP DURING STOPS SLOWING DOWN AND ALMOST NEUTRAL WHEN LIGHTENING UP ON THE GAS PEDAL. *SC

20040824CrashAIR BAGS

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45-50 MPH AND SUDDENLY ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND IT RAN RIGHT INTO THE REAR OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.*AK

20040823CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. *AK

20040622SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR BRAKES FAILED. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A SENSOR. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THIS WAS THE THIRD MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED WITHIN SIX MONTHS. BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

20040512ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER. ALSO, VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENGINE MOUNTS DUE TO CORROSION. *AK

20040510FireEQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

NOTHING LED UP TO FAILURE. JUST STARTED THE CAR. RECALL ITEM (BOSE AMPLIFIER) CAUGHT ON FIRE. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO FIX, SINCE LOCAL DEALER SAID VEHICLE WAS NOT WORTH REPAIRING. *LA

Mileage: 85,000

20040422STRUCTURE

I HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM OVERHEATING. I HAD TO REPLACE EVERY PART OF THE SYSTEM, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, RADIATOR CAP IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CORRECT TEMP. AT 118000 MILES MY SPEED GAUGE JUMPS AND SOMETIMES RECORD SPEEDS AS HIGH AS 90+ MPH WHEN I AM APPROACHING A STOP. THE SPEED SENSOR REPLACEMENT IS APPROXIMATLEY $200.

Mileage: 96,000

20040422SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM OVERHEATING. I HAD TO REPLACE EVERY PART OF THE SYSTEM, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, RADIATOR CAP IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CORRECT TEMP. AT 118000 MILES MY SPEED GAUGE JUMPS AND SOMETIMES RECORD SPEEDS AS HIGH AS 90+ MPH WHEN I AM APPROACHING A STOP. THE SPEED SENSOR REPLACEMENT IS APPROXIMATLEY $200.

Mileage: 96,000

20040422VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

I HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM OVERHEATING. I HAD TO REPLACE EVERY PART OF THE SYSTEM, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, RADIATOR CAP IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CORRECT TEMP. AT 118000 MILES MY SPEED GAUGE JUMPS AND SOMETIMES RECORD SPEEDS AS HIGH AS 90+ MPH WHEN I AM APPROACHING A STOP. THE SPEED SENSOR REPLACEMENT IS APPROXIMATLEY $200.

Mileage: 96,000

20040422UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM OVERHEATING. I HAD TO REPLACE EVERY PART OF THE SYSTEM, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, RADIATOR CAP IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CORRECT TEMP. AT 118000 MILES MY SPEED GAUGE JUMPS AND SOMETIMES RECORD SPEEDS AS HIGH AS 90+ MPH WHEN I AM APPROACHING A STOP. THE SPEED SENSOR REPLACEMENT IS APPROXIMATLEY $200.

Mileage: 96,000

20040422EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

I HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM OVERHEATING. I HAD TO REPLACE EVERY PART OF THE SYSTEM, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT, RADIATOR CAP IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CORRECT TEMP. AT 118000 MILES MY SPEED GAUGE JUMPS AND SOMETIMES RECORD SPEEDS AS HIGH AS 90+ MPH WHEN I AM APPROACHING A STOP. THE SPEED SENSOR REPLACEMENT IS APPROXIMATLEY $200.

Mileage: 96,000

20040422VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

THE CAR BLOWS OUT WHITE SMOKE FROME THE ENGINE. WHEN IN D4 THE LIGHT BLINKS AND THE SPEEDOMETER FLUXUATES. PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT SLIDE FORWARD

Mileage: 185,000

20040422ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

THE CAR BLOWS OUT WHITE SMOKE FROME THE ENGINE. WHEN IN D4 THE LIGHT BLINKS AND THE SPEEDOMETER FLUXUATES. PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT SLIDE FORWARD

Mileage: 185,000

20040422EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

THE CAR BLOWS OUT WHITE SMOKE FROME THE ENGINE. WHEN IN D4 THE LIGHT BLINKS AND THE SPEEDOMETER FLUXUATES. PASSENGER SEAT WILL NOT SLIDE FORWARD

Mileage: 185,000

20040318CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD.*AK

Mileage: 168,000

Compare 1991ACURALEGEND to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1991 ACURA LEGEND have?
The 1991 ACURA LEGEND has 158 NHTSA complaints, 16 crashes, 6 fires, 12 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1991 ACURA LEGEND?
The most-complained component for the 1991 ACURA LEGEND is EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. with 59 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 1991 ACURA LEGEND safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.