ACURA LEGEND · model year

1994 ACURA LEGEND

26 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1994ACURALEGEND carries 26 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 4 fires, 2 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 1994 LEGEND is air bags:frontal with 5 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (2) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (2). 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 1994 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.

26
Complaints
5
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

26 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1

Recent Complaints

20160815FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ACURA LEGEND. AFTER TURNING OFF AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, A FIRE ORIGINATED ON THE BOTTOM PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEAR THE ELECTRONIC SEAT CONTROL BUTTONS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF A DEALER WOULD DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,578.

Mileage: 147,578

20160815FireSEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ACURA LEGEND. AFTER TURNING OFF AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, A FIRE ORIGINATED ON THE BOTTOM PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEAR THE ELECTRONIC SEAT CONTROL BUTTONS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF A DEALER WOULD DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,578.

Mileage: 147,578

20151016POWER TRAIN

THE D-4 GREEN LIGHT BLINKS, & THE SPEEDOMETER "WAVERS" FROM "0" TO 60 MPH. AFTER ABOUT 2.5 MILES (ARRIVE AT DESTINATION), TURN OFF ENGINE. DO SHOPPING, ETC. AFTERWARD, WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED, EVERYTHING WORKS GREAT. NO BLINKING D-4 LIGHT. DRIVING HOME IS NORMAL. IT HAPPENS AGAIN THE NEXT DAY, & DAYS AFTER.

Mileage: 65,000

20151016UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE D-4 GREEN LIGHT BLINKS, & THE SPEEDOMETER "WAVERS" FROM "0" TO 60 MPH. AFTER ABOUT 2.5 MILES (ARRIVE AT DESTINATION), TURN OFF ENGINE. DO SHOPPING, ETC. AFTERWARD, WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED, EVERYTHING WORKS GREAT. NO BLINKING D-4 LIGHT. DRIVING HOME IS NORMAL. IT HAPPENS AGAIN THE NEXT DAY, & DAYS AFTER.

Mileage: 65,000

20090821FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 ACURA LEGEND. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; UNEXPECTEDLY, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND GAUGES STOPPED WORKING AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND DRIVE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THERE WAS A BURNING SENSATION UNDER THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVERS RIGHT FOOT AND A DRIED SUBSTANCE BURNING ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SHOE WHICH PENETRATED TO THE FOOT. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED BY THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 168,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

20061010AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

FOR MORE THAN 8 MONTHS MY ACURA LEGEND (1994) FOUR DOOR SEDAN HAS BEEN INAUDIBLE OR NOT WORKING. THE SRS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS I'VE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE COIL REEL IS OUT AND THAT IT IS NOW IN A CONDITION THAT WILL PREVENT THE HORN FROM SOUNDING WHEN NEEDED OR AT ALL. I'VE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THE DRIVERS AIRBAG AND POSSIBLY THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT EMPLOY SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND I'M VERY SURPRISED THAT THE COST OF A COIL REEL COSTS $687 FROM THE HONDA DEALER IN PENSACOLA, FLORIDA. MY ATTEMPTS TO FIX THIS ON MY OWN WERE HINDERED BY COST AND LABOR TO REPAIR THIS ITEM. FOR NOW IT IS PARKED AND NOT BEING USED BY THIS OWNER BECAUSE THE SAFETY FEATURES THAT PROMPTED THIS PURCHASE ARE NO LONGER EFFECTIVE. THIS ITEM SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR RECALL. *NM

20040413ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS

A BLOWN ENGINE HEAD GASKET ALLOWS AIR INTO THE COOLING SYSTEM. TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLUCTUATES, AND THE COOLING RESERVOIR OVERFLOWS. WARRANTY EXPIRED, AND MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *AK

Mileage: 99,000

20040129FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON 01-28-04 OFFICERS FROM THIS AGENCY RESPONDED TO A FIRE INVOLVING A 1994 ACURA LEGEND. VIN#[XXX]. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN OPERATED FOR FOUR DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE DRIVER SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK UPDATED 07/30/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20030418AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NLM

20020416EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

J WISH TO COMPLAIN ABOUT SUV HEADLIGHTS BEING TOO HIGH THAT THEY TEND TO BLIND ON COMING TRAFFIC. WHY CAN'T THEIR HEIGHT BE REDUCED TO LEVEL THAT DOESN'T MAKE THEM A DRIVING HAZARD?*AK

20000919CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

WHILE WAITNG IN A LINE AND EASING OFF THE BRAKE JUST A LITTLE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK

20000919CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE WAITNG IN A LINE AND EASING OFF THE BRAKE JUST A LITTLE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY TOOK OFF AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK

19991111POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I WAS CHARGED 139.44 FOR T STOPPER ON 4-14-98. I SAW A TSB ON THAT ITEM TODAY. THIS WAS NEVER MENTIONED TO ME WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR 60,000 MILE SERVICE. AM I ENTITLED TO A REFUND FOR THIS CHARGE?

19990921SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT ENGANGE IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

19990308CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER, CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL. ON JAN 28, 1999, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH TRAVELING ABOUT 32 MPH, AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER AT THIS TIME, CAUSING MAJOR INJURIES TO DRIVERS FACE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

19990308CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE DRIVER, CAUSING DRIVER TO HIT HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL. ON JAN 28, 1999, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH TRAVELING ABOUT 32 MPH, AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER AT THIS TIME, CAUSING MAJOR INJURIES TO DRIVERS FACE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

19990308LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS OPERATED TO THE LOCKED POSITION ON THEIR OWN. NO DELIBERATE OR INADVERTENT LOCK SELECTION BY DRIVER. FIRST OCCASION: AT FUEL PUMP, IGNITION OFF,CAR IN PARK,CLOSED DRIVERS DOOR TO KEEP OUT FUEL FUMES AND A STRONG,COLD WIND. ALL FOUR DOORS LOCKED WHEN DRIVERS DOOR CLOSED. SECOND OCCASION: STOPPED ON RURAL ESTATE DRIVEWAY TO DETACH A CLASS II TRAILER (EMPTY-ESTIMATE TONGUE WGT, AT 10-15LB.) CAR WAS IN PARK, EMERG. BRAKE ON DRIVERS DOOR OPEN. WHEN THE WEIGHT CAME OFF THE HITCH BALL AND A GUST OF WIND HIT, DRIVERS DOOR CLOSED, ALL FOUR DOORS LOCKED. ON THIS OCCASION, ANOTHER 1994 ACURA LEGEND OWNER WAS PRESENT AND STATED HE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIRD OCCASION: STOPPED AT RURAL MAIL BOX, CAR IN PARK, EMERG. BRAKE SET. THREE YEAR OLD IN STRAPPED IN CAR SEAT, (REAR SEAT) BENT OVER TO PICK UP DROPPED LETTER, DRIVERS DOOR CLOSED, ALL FOUR DOORS LOCKED UPON DOOR CLOSURE. # YR. OLD WAS ABLE TO UNSTRAP AND WAS COACHED TO OPEN DOOR. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ITEM. TH

19980803AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE HIT A ROCK AT AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT. VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED NOW. *AK

19961210EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

HEADLIGHTS FAILED.

19960628VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ENGINE SURGES OCCASIONALLY. *DH

Compare 1994ACURALEGEND to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1994 ACURA LEGEND have?
The 1994 ACURA LEGEND has 26 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 ACURA LEGEND?
The most-complained component for the 1994 ACURA LEGEND is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1994 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.