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1991 Honda Accord

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1991 Honda Accord do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 356.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 42 of 212 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 58 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports6 fire reports17 injury reports

What owners actually said

212 reports
100,000 miles · Jan 8, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT MY VEHICLE THROUGH MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. UNTIL I HAD THE $600 FOR THE REPAIR, I WAS FORCED TO ENTER MY VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. I AM A FULL-TIME STUDENT, WORKING A FULL-TIME JOB, LIVING IN A BUSY WORLD. IT WAS QUITE EMBARASSING, AN INCO…

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WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT MY VEHICLE THROUGH MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. UNTIL I HAD THE $600 FOR THE REPAIR, I WAS FORCED TO ENTER MY VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE. I AM A FULL-TIME STUDENT, WORKING A FULL-TIME JOB, LIVING IN A BUSY WORLD. IT WAS QUITE EMBARASSING, AN INCONVIENIENCE, AND AN INCREDIBLE SAFETY HAZARD. BEFORE VISITING THIS SITE, I THOUGHT THIS PROBLEM WAS A STRANGE MISFORTUNE ONLY I SUFFERED. THIS IS THE MOST COMMON DEFECT LISTED; NOT TO MENTION THE MOST EXPENSIVE REPAIR. IF THIS DEFECT IS NOT WORTHY OF A RECALL, WE NEED TO RE-THINK THE "RECALL STANDARDS" AND PUT REALISTIC MEASURES INTO THE PROCESS. MY CAR DOOR SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AND PAID FOR BY HONDA, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I AM ONE IN ENOUGH WITH THE EXACT SAME DEFECTIVE CAR. WHEN I PURCHASED A BIG NAME COMPUTER AND REALIZED THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE SYSTEM, IT WAS REPAIRED WITH NO CHARGE TO ME. THE COMPANY I AM EMPLOYED BY WILL TAKE FULL FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DEFECT IN A PRODUCT WE HAVE ISSUED. IF WE IGNORED ISSUES SUCH AS MINE WITH MY HONDA ACCORD, WE WOULD NOT BE THE MAGNIFICENT COMPANY THAT WE ARE. WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS PERMANENTLY SHUT, I HAD NO WAY OF ENTRY OTHER THAN THE DOOR MY PASSENGERS/CLIENTS USED. ENTERING AND EXITING MY VEHICLE WAS AN OBSCENITY AS I WOULD TRY MY HARDEST TO REMAIN THE PROFESSIONAL FEMALE THAT I AM. I WAS ALWAYS IN FEAR THAT A CAR WOULD PLOW INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE LEAVING ME TRAPPED IN WHATEVER EMERGENCY WOULD ARISE. PLEASE EXAMINE THIS DEFECT AND DEMAND A RECALL TO PREVENT FUTURE DISASTERS AND TO ASSURE THE SAFETY OF HONDA ACCORD DRIVERS. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10052634

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

ONE DAY I WENT TO GET OUT OF MY CAR AND THE DOOR JUST WOULD NOT OPEN. I HAD TO CRAWL OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE KEY, AND IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE COST OF REPLACING THE LATCH IS APPROXIMATELY $700. ONE WOULD THINK THAT HONDA WOULD RECALL THIS PROBLEM, CONSIDERING IT'S SUC…

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ONE DAY I WENT TO GET OUT OF MY CAR AND THE DOOR JUST WOULD NOT OPEN. I HAD TO CRAWL OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE KEY, AND IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE COST OF REPLACING THE LATCH IS APPROXIMATELY $700. ONE WOULD THINK THAT HONDA WOULD RECALL THIS PROBLEM, CONSIDERING IT'S SUCH A SAFETY HAZARD. ALL IT WOULD TAKE IS ONE CRASH TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND I WOULD BE TRAPPED IN MY VEHICLE! *LA

NHTSA ODI #10047086

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2003
Seat Belts

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS WERE STUCK IN THE FORWARD POSITION. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER NOT TO BE RESTRAINED WHILE DRIVING. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10044324

222,000 miles · Aug 22, 2003
TiresWheels

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE, AND DAMAGED TWO TIRES AND BENT A RIM.*AK THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10015240

200,000 miles · Aug 1, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

BOTH DRIVER/PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM HAS FAILED, MAKING DOORS INOPERATIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10031888

97,000 miles · May 20, 2003
Electrical SystemSeat Belts

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ON DRIVER-SIDE ONLY WILL NOT MOVE FROM RETRACTED POSITION AS IF DOOR IS OPEN AT ALL TIMES AFTER SENSOR ON DASHBOARD MALFUNCTIONED TEMPORARILY. AS A RESULT, LAP BELT IS ONLY AVAILABLE RESULTING IN LACK OF SAFETY FOR DRIVER. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10019022

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

THE VEHICLE DOORS JAMMED AND THE DOOR HANDLES BROKE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10016091

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2003
Electrical System

LETTER FROM DAVID WYNNE (NJ) RE HIS 1991 HONDA, ACCORD. HE WAS NEVER CONTACTED RE THE 1993 HONDA RECALL OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM DISTRIBUTOR DEFECT, REPLY ATTN DEE DENTON/ MT, HOLLY OFFICE, NO RECORD SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN FOUND ON PREVIOUS LETTER. IGNITION SYSTEM DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE IN THE 1993, HONDA RECALL OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM …

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LETTER FROM DAVID WYNNE (NJ) RE HIS 1991 HONDA, ACCORD. HE WAS NEVER CONTACTED RE THE 1993 HONDA RECALL OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM DISTRIBUTOR DEFECT, REPLY ATTN DEE DENTON/ MT, HOLLY OFFICE, NO RECORD SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN FOUND ON PREVIOUS LETTER. IGNITION SYSTEM DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE IN THE 1993, HONDA RECALL OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM DISTRIBUTOR DEFECT, REPLY ATTEN DEE DENTON/MT, HOLLY OFFICE. HAD NOT FOUND A PREVIOUS LETTER. MR WYNNE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND DEALER NOTIFIED HIM THAT PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE IGNITION DISTRIBUTOR. HE WANTED TO KNOW IF HONDA RECALL OF THE IGNITION DISTRIBUTE IN 1993 WOULD ALSO AFFECT HIS 1991 HONDA, ACCORD.*AK *CB *JB

NHTSA ODI #10015510

Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2003
Electrical System

IGNITION SYSTEMS - DISTRIBUTOR DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #10011600

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO GET OUT OF DRIVER DOOR AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. SHE HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE AND GO OUT PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN SHE WENT AROUND TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE SHE FOUND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. SHE WENT TO THE HONDA DEALER WHO TOLD HER THIS WAS A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL AND GAV…

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CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO GET OUT OF DRIVER DOOR AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. SHE HAD TO CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE AND GO OUT PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN SHE WENT AROUND TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE SHE FOUND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. SHE WENT TO THE HONDA DEALER WHO TOLD HER THIS WAS A UNIVERSAL PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL AND GAVE HER A PRINT OUT OF HOW TO FIX THE DOOR, WHICH IS QUITE COMPLEX, BUT WOULD SAVE HER $600.00 TO DO THE WORK HERSELF. SHE HAD 2 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE THEIR CAR SEATS IN THE BACK AND THIS COULD BE A VERY DEADLY SITUATION SHOULD SHE HAVE AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE AND NEED TO EXIT THE CAR OR GET ACCESS TO HER CHILDREN IMMEDIATELY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10010780

Official recalls

3

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.

93V056000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Apr 22, 1993

THE REAR OUTSIDE SEATING POSITION SAFETY BELTS MAY LOCK UP AT ANGLES OTHER THAN THOSE REQUIRED BY FMVSS 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES". THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: NON-CONFORMING SAFETY BELTS CAUSE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE THE SENSOR IN THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR.

91V195000 · Interior Lighting

Nov 8, 1991

A WASHER IN THE CARGO AREA LIGHT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED, AND MAY HAVE FALLEN IN THE CARGO LIGHT DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THIS OCCURRED, AND THE THREE POSITION LIGHT SWITCH IS IN THE MIDDLE POSITION, AND THE TAILGATE IS OPEN, THE WASHER CAN CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE LIGHT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LIGHT SHORT CIRCUIT COULD CAUSE THE SWITCH TOOVERHEAT AND RESULT IN A CARGO COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: REMOVE THE WASHERS BEHIND THE CARGO AREA LIGHT AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LIGHT ASSEMBLIES.

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

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