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1986 Honda Accord

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1986 Honda Accord do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 356.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 2 of 54 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.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports0 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

54 reports
130,000 miles · Oct 20, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

RUST ON THE FUEL FILLER PIPE - 1986 ACCORD - THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT, BUT HONDA DOES NOT RESPECT IT ANYMORE. WHY??? IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD - POTENTIAL FIRE. ON TOP OF THAT HONDA'S CARBURETORS HAVE DEFECTIVE FLOAT - IT GETS STUCK, CAUSING GASOLINE LEAK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289183

198,400 miles · Oct 31, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 HONDA ACCORD. THE INLET PIPE OF THE FUEL TANK IS BUSTED ON THE INSIDE AND PREVENTS FUEL FROM ENTERING THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN IN THE INTERIM. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 HONDA ACCORD. THE INLET PIPE OF THE FUEL TANK IS BUSTED ON THE INSIDE AND PREVENTS FUEL FROM ENTERING THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN IN THE INTERIM. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 92V028001 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FUEL SYSTEM IS CARBURETOR. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 198,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,400.

NHTSA ODI #10207539

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

ENGINE: RADIATOR WAS LEAKING-REPLACE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP. TRANSMISSION: HESITATION DURING EXCELLERATION, CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE. REPLACED WITH USED TRANSIMISSION. FUEL SYSTEM: (2X'S) NO REPAIR AS OF YET, HESITATION DURING EXCELLERATION, CANNOT GET INTO GEAR. ENGINE REVES UP BUT CAR WILL NOT GO. MECHANIC CHECKED THE …

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ENGINE: RADIATOR WAS LEAKING-REPLACE RADIATOR AND WATER PUMP. TRANSMISSION: HESITATION DURING EXCELLERATION, CAR WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE. REPLACED WITH USED TRANSIMISSION. FUEL SYSTEM: (2X'S) NO REPAIR AS OF YET, HESITATION DURING EXCELLERATION, CANNOT GET INTO GEAR. ENGINE REVES UP BUT CAR WILL NOT GO. MECHANIC CHECKED THE CAR - FILLER NECK IS EXTREMELY RUSTED OUT, HE SAID THEY HAD BEEN RECALLED AND TO GET A HOLD OF THE DEALERSHIP TO GET REPLACED. DEALER SHIP SAID IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. TOOK BACK TO MECHANIC WHO WILL NOT REPAIR TILL FILLER NECK IS REPLACED STATING IT WOULD BE A WASTE OF TIME AN MONEY BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE TO KEEP DOING MAINTENANCE WE WOULDN'T NORMALLY HAVE TO. HE SAID THE ENGINE IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL AND FUEL IS MIXED WITH WATER, DIRT AND RUST BECAUSE FILLER NECK IS SO RUSTED.

NHTSA ODI #10071163

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL CAMPAIGN 92V028001/FUEL SYSTEMS. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE IN JULY 1997, AND DETERMINED THAT COMPONENT BEING RECALLED WAS NOT CORRODED, AND DID NOT NEED REPLACEMENT. IN SEPTEMBER 2001, CONSUMER NOTICED GASOLINE ODORS IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND DISCOVERED…

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CONSUMER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION THAT VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY RECALL CAMPAIGN 92V028001/FUEL SYSTEMS. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE IN JULY 1997, AND DETERMINED THAT COMPONENT BEING RECALLED WAS NOT CORRODED, AND DID NOT NEED REPLACEMENT. IN SEPTEMBER 2001, CONSUMER NOTICED GASOLINE ODORS IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING FROM VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED A CORRODED FUEL FILLER WAS CAUSING LEAK. CONSUMER WAS BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF ALL REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8003189

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control

DURING HOT WEATHER MY ENGINE REVS UP TO A DANGEROUS LEVEL, AND I CAN NOT STOP THE PROBLEM I HAVE TO PUT MY FOOT HARD ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP IT STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. THE CAR WILL GO FORWARD WITHOUT ME PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR. I WAS TOLD TO KEEP THE AIR CONDITIONER ON TO TRY TO SLOW IT DOWN. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS HOT OUT…

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DURING HOT WEATHER MY ENGINE REVS UP TO A DANGEROUS LEVEL, AND I CAN NOT STOP THE PROBLEM I HAVE TO PUT MY FOOT HARD ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP IT STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. THE CAR WILL GO FORWARD WITHOUT ME PUSHING ON THE ACCELERATOR. I WAS TOLD TO KEEP THE AIR CONDITIONER ON TO TRY TO SLOW IT DOWN. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE, AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE PLACE THAT I PURCHASED IT, THEY ADJUSTED THE CARBUERATOR, AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG--I HAVE HAD TROUBLE BEFORE THERE FIXING THINGS RIGHT, SO I DID NOT TAKE IT BACK THERE. ANOTHER MECHANIC HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO AS HOT WEATHER IS COMING.PLEASE HELP ME-NO ONE ELSE WILL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #744972

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2001
Fuel System, Gasoline

A FEW YEARS AGO, MY CAR VAULTED FORWARD AND I HIT A POST. THOUGHT IT WAS MY FAULT SO HAD IT REPAIRED. A FEW YEARS LATER THE AREA WHERE MY FUEL GOES INTO ROTTED AND I HAD IT REPLACED BECAUSE OF A RECALL. UPON LOOKING UP RECALLS AT THAT TIME I REALIZED THERE HAD BEEN ANOTHER RECALL ABOUT THE CAR VAULTING FORWARD WITH NO REASON.…

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A FEW YEARS AGO, MY CAR VAULTED FORWARD AND I HIT A POST. THOUGHT IT WAS MY FAULT SO HAD IT REPAIRED. A FEW YEARS LATER THE AREA WHERE MY FUEL GOES INTO ROTTED AND I HAD IT REPLACED BECAUSE OF A RECALL. UPON LOOKING UP RECALLS AT THAT TIME I REALIZED THERE HAD BEEN ANOTHER RECALL ABOUT THE CAR VAULTING FORWARD WITH NO REASON.. IT WAS TO LATE FOR ME TO TELL THEM WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE BUT IT HAS SINCE HAPPENED AGAIN AND IWOULD LIKE TO FIND THAT RECALL TO SHOW THE HONDA PEOPLE. THANKS

NHTSA ODI #743559

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline

COATING ON THE FUEL FILLER TUBE RUSTED THROUGH WHICH MAY POSSIBLY CAUSE A LEAK. THERE WAS RECALL 92V028001 WHICH OFFERED A REMEDY, BUT VEHICLESEEMED TO BE HAVING THE PROBLEM AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #872850

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2000
TiresCrashInjury

ON JULY 11, 1992 MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING EAST ON I580 IN CALIFORNIA. IT WAS A HOT DAY AT ABOUT 8:00 IN THE MORNING. THE REAR TIRE LOST IT'S TREAD CAP AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE 6 PICTURES OF THE TIRE AND THE POLICE REPORT STATING IT WAS A TIRE FALIURE. MY HUSBAND WAS SERIOU…

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ON JULY 11, 1992 MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING EAST ON I580 IN CALIFORNIA. IT WAS A HOT DAY AT ABOUT 8:00 IN THE MORNING. THE REAR TIRE LOST IT'S TREAD CAP AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE 6 PICTURES OF THE TIRE AND THE POLICE REPORT STATING IT WAS A TIRE FALIURE. MY HUSBAND WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND SUFFERS PARTIAL HEARING LOSS FROM THIS ACCIDENT. WE FILED A REPORT IN 1992 AND CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY WHO WAS NOT WILLING TO TAKE THE CASE ON CONTINGINCY DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE COMPANY WE WOULD BE UP AGAINST (FIRESTONE). I WAS FORCED TO DROP THE CASE AT THAT TIME. I JUST WANTED THE PROPER AUTHORITIES TO KNOW THIS HAPPEND TO OTHER VEHICLES OTHER THAN FORD. IT WAS THE TIRE, NOT THE VEHICLE. IF YOU WANT THE PICTURES AND POLICE REPORT, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. SINCERELY, JULIANA SCHIRMER( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 185-13 )

NHTSA ODI #731787

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS VIBRATION COMING FROM THE CAR. ALSO, VEHICLE STUTTERS TO A STOP. DEALER SAYS VEHICLE NEEDS NEW FRONT DISC BRAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #862744

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling

POSSIBLE FAULTY EXHAUST IS CAUSING FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS COULD BE RELATED TO A RECALL. NLM

NHTSA ODI #551898

Official recalls

2

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.

92V028001 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Apr 15, 1993

IF THE PLASTIC COATING OF THE FUEL FILLER AND/OR BREATHER PIPE IS DAMAGED, SALT WATER MAY ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE PLASTIC COATING AND THE STEEL PIPES, AND THE ACCUMULATION COULD CAUSE CORROSION WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY RUST THROUGH THE AFFECTED PIPES, ALLOWING GASOLINE FUMES AND FUEL TO LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: GASOLINE FUMES AND/OR FUEL LEAKAGE THROUGH THE FILLER ORBREATHER PIPES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy: REPAIRS WILL BE MADE TO VEHICLES WITH CORRODED FILLER OR BREATHER PIPES.

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

6

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

EA89005 · Fuel System Venting

Opened Nov 16, 1988 · Closed Nov 30, 1989

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

===

PE88062 · Fuel System Venting

Opened Jun 21, 1988 · Closed Nov 16, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

SUMMARY: THE FOUR OWNER COMPLAINTS INVOLVE FIVE VEHICLES, THREE ACCORDS AND TWO LEGENDS. A SEARCH OF ODI RECORDS PERTAINING TO HONDA SAFETY RECALLS AND DEALER SERVICE BULLETINS REVEALED NO INFORMATION RELATED TO THIS SUBJECT.===

DP88008 · Accord Sudden ACCEL-SEE DP87-026

Opened Jan 13, 1988 · Closed Mar 30, 1988

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

ACCORD SUDDEN ACCEL-SEE DP87-026

DP87013 · Honda High Engine Speed

Opened Mar 3, 1987 · Closed May 4, 1987

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

HONDA HIGH ENGINE SPEED

PE86066 · Sudden Acceleration

Opened Jul 28, 1986 · Closed Nov 3, 1986

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:INFORMATION FROM HONDA RELEVANTTO THIS PE WAS PROVIDED BY LETTER DATED 8 SEPTEMBER AND A PRESENTATION TONHTSA ON 2 OCTOBER.HONDA HAS ISSUED NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS OROTHER NOTIFICATIONS TO DEALERS RELATING TO FUEL FLOW AND DELIVERY, THROTTLECONTROL, OR ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS THAT MAY RESULT IN UNINTENDED SUDDENACCELERATION.THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A CARBURETOR DESIGNWHICH, ACCORDING TO HONDA'S EVALUATION, WILL NOT PERMIT ENGINE RPM TOEXCEED A FAST IDLE CONDITION OF 2000 RPM WITHOUT DRIVER ACTUATION OF THETHROTTLE. TEST DATA WERE PROVIDED TO SHOW THAT AN ENGINE SPEED OF 2000 RPMWITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION WOULD, WHEN SHIFTED INTODRIVE, YIELD A VEHICLE SPEED OF 8 MPH AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS.OTHER TEST DATA WERE PROVIDED TO SUPPORT HONDA'S POSITION THAT FAILEDENGINE MOUNTS WOULD NOT CONTRIBUTE TO SUDDEN VEHICLE ACCELERATION ASALLEGED IN THIS PE.ANALYSIS:THE FOLLOWING ARE CONSIDERED SIGNIFICANT OBSERVATIONS AND/ORANALYTICAL ASSESSMENTS OF THE FACTS IN THIS PE FILE: OTHE ALLEGED INCIDENTS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE FROM OTHER PE/EA FILESIN THAT THEY TEND TO EMPHASIZE OCCURRENCE OF THE PHENOMENON WHENTHE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO ANOTHER GEAR. OA HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THE REPORTED OCCURRENCES ALSO INVOLVEACCIDENTS,BUT THE RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF INJURY ACCIDENTSSUGGESTS THAT MOST ARE LOW SPEED COLLISIONS. OHONDA HAS NOT IDENTIFIED, AND ODI'S ANALYSES HAVE NOT DISCOVERED,A TREND OF MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL COMPONENT FAILURE WITH ACAUSAL RELATIONSHIP TO THE ALLEGED OCCURRENCES.IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, ANALYSIS OF THE RATES OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS,ACCIDENTS, AND INJURY ACCIDENTS WITH RESPECT TO THE TOTAL VEHICLEPOPULATION OF 746,000, SHOWS THAT THE HONDA ACCORD COMPARES FAVORABLYTO OTHER VEHICLES REPORTED TO HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR OCCURRENCES.THIS ANALYSIS, TOGETHER WITH OTHER INFORMATION ACQUIRED, SHOWS THAT NODEFECT TREND EXISTS TO JUSTIFY CONTINUATION OF INVESTIGATIVE ACTIVITY.PROPOSED ACTION:CLOSE THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.===

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