← New search

1989 Honda Accord

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1989 Honda Accord do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 356.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Accord years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 3 of 86 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Seat Belts. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports8 fire reports12 injury reports

Suspension complaints

7 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

(1) EVENT HYBRID DESIGN FLAW: 1989 HONDA ACCORD 2.0L FUEL INJECTION: MANUFACTURED AS A HYBRID, JULY 1989. PROOF OF HYBRIDIZATION: AUTO PART DEALERS SHOW DIFFERENT PARTS FOR THIS MODEL BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER JULY 1989. ALSO, THE HYBRID FUEL INJECTION IS VISIBLE FROM THE NUMBER OF WIRE AND TUBES FROM THE VALVE COVER …

Read full complaint

(1) EVENT HYBRID DESIGN FLAW: 1989 HONDA ACCORD 2.0L FUEL INJECTION: MANUFACTURED AS A HYBRID, JULY 1989. PROOF OF HYBRIDIZATION: AUTO PART DEALERS SHOW DIFFERENT PARTS FOR THIS MODEL BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER JULY 1989. ALSO, THE HYBRID FUEL INJECTION IS VISIBLE FROM THE NUMBER OF WIRE AND TUBES FROM THE VALVE COVER FOR THE CARBURETOR AND THE OFFICIAL FUEL-INJECTED MODEL. AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED YET UNUSED VALVE-DRIVE COG SITS IDLY UNDER A COVER WHILE A HYBRID TIMING CHAIN SYSTEM RUNS THE VALVES IN PERFECT TIMING. VIN NUMBER: [XXX] THE HYBRID HONDA HAS A DANGEROUS ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION DESIGN-FLAW VIBRATION. AN ORIGINAL DESIGN CAUSES THE VIBRATION. WE REPLACED THE TIRES WITH NEW PERFECTLY BALANCED TIRES AND REPLACED THE BRAKE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS AND REPLACED THE SUGGESTED ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS. THE HONDA STILL HAS THE DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION VIBRATION. AUTO-PARTS DEALERS DIFFER ON WHAT ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS TO USE. HONDA WILL NOT PROVIDE A FACTORY MANUAL ON HOW MANY OR WHERE ENGINE MOUNTS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS THE HYBRID NEEDS. THE HYBRID DESIGN FLAW VIBRATION CAUSED ME TO SWERVE INTO THE OTHER LANE AND BARELY AVOID A HEAD-ON COLLISION. WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIES AN INITIAL LOAD AS SMALL AS ENGAGEMENT OF THE AIR CONDITIONING, THE STEERING WHEEL ACTUALLY JUMPS UP AND DOWN. THE DESIGN FLAW DANGEROUSLY VIBRATES THE WHOLE AUTOMOBILE. WE REPLACED THE TIRES WITH PERFECTLY BALANCED TIRES, THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTS, AND BRAKE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. BRAKING IS SMOOTH. HONDA WILL NOT PROVIDE A FACTORY MANUAL TO DETERMINE WHERE OR HOW MANY PARTS TO USE. CHILTON AND HAYESAUTO REPAIR MANUALS DO NOT HAVE THE HYBRID DETAIL. ALL PART SUPPLIERS HAVE TOO MANY VARIATIONS FOR THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS FOR THIS HYBRID. HONDA SHOULD REPAIR THIS DESIGN FLAW IN THIS AUTOMOBILE SINCE IT IS A HYBRID DESIGN FLAW.*AK UPDATED 07/25/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10086374

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2001
SuspensionInjury

THE VEHICLE'S LEFT BALL JOINT SHREARED OFF CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRIKE A GUARDRAIL RESULTING IN INJURY TO OCCUPANTS (ABDOMINAL AND NECK PAIN) AND DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *YH

NHTSA ODI #562667

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2000
Suspension

BACK BALL JOINTS BROKE OFF TWICE. DEALER CHECKED VEHICLE, AND NOTICED LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #876285

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2000
SuspensionWheels

WHEEL FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER'S WIFE STATED THAT THE RIGHT WHEEL WAS HANGING OUT. THIS WAS THE SECOND 1986 HONDA ACCORD THAT HAD WHEEL FALL OFF, DUE TO UPPER CONTROL ARM FAILURE. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #858831

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 1996
Suspension

DETERMINED TO BE STEERING.FRONT LEFT TIRE. UPON MAKING SLOW LEFT TURNS, FRONT TIRE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #980559

Mileage unknown · Feb 29, 1996
Suspension

THE VEHICLE IS NOT STABLE WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #979922

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 1995
SteeringSuspension

OUTER TIE RODS REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #482565

Official recalls

1

95V103001 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

May 24, 1995

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA94035 · Seat Belt Buckle Failure

Opened Oct 27, 1994 · Closed Jul 31, 1995

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

There is no summary currently available

Go deeper into Honda Accord problems