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1990 Honda Accord

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1990 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: 14 of 192 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 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports8 fire reports7 injury reports

Power Train complaints

15 reports
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118,000 miles · Jul 14, 2003
Power Train

WHILE TRAVELING AT 10 MPH, DRIVER SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT TO THE RIGHT. FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE ON. MECHANIC STATES IT'S THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10027211

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2002
Power Train

NO DESCRIPTION GIVEN. NLM

NHTSA ODI #767163

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2001
Power Train

6/12/01.NEGOTIATED WITH AAMCO TRANSMISSIONS(10691BISCAYNE BLVD JAX,FL 32218,MANAGER JACK)FOR REBUILT TRANSMISSION.TOTAL OF 1905.67 WAS PAID IN FULL BY 7/3 CAR RELEASED.7/4 TRANSMISSION FAILED.RETURNED VECHICLE,KEPT UNTIL 7/12/01. TRANSMISSION FAILED 7/13/01.VEHICLE RETURNED,AAMCO CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TAKEN TO HONDA …

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6/12/01.NEGOTIATED WITH AAMCO TRANSMISSIONS(10691BISCAYNE BLVD JAX,FL 32218,MANAGER JACK)FOR REBUILT TRANSMISSION.TOTAL OF 1905.67 WAS PAID IN FULL BY 7/3 CAR RELEASED.7/4 TRANSMISSION FAILED.RETURNED VECHICLE,KEPT UNTIL 7/12/01. TRANSMISSION FAILED 7/13/01.VEHICLE RETURNED,AAMCO CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TAKEN TO HONDA SPECIALISTS,HAS'NT AND STILL IS IN CUSTODY.VECHICLE WAS NOT PROPERLY DIAGNOSED BY THE SO CALLED "TRANSMISSION SPECAILIST".ORDEAL HAS COST CUSTOMER MANY EXPENSES FOR OTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND TIME.CUSTOMER SUSPECTS FAUDULENT WORK IN THAT NO REAL TRANSMISSION REBUILDING WAS DONE AND IS SEEKING A FULL REFUND.PLEASE CONTACT LANGSTON WILLIAMS@904 765-4921,904-382-0842 6843 VAN GUNDY RD,JAX,FL 32208. *AK

NHTSA ODI #748727

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 1999
Power Train

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ODI #710078

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 1999
Power Train

HAD KEY IN IGNITION AND WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK & KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED. CALLED DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT A PLUNGING DEVICE WAS NEEDED FOR THE VEHICLE. THIS PARTICULAR DEVICE WAS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE USA. *AK

NHTSA ODI #835188

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Power Train

WHILE TURNING, THE STEERING EXPERIENCED HARD, SUDDEN PULLS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WITH A HARD BINDING AND BREAKING LOOSE. EVENTUALLY, A MASSIVE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK OCCURED WITH THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF DRIVE. INVESTIGATION FOUND THE TRANSMISSION HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE DUE TO A "CARRIER PIN" FAILURE IN THE FINAL DRIVE. HO…

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WHILE TURNING, THE STEERING EXPERIENCED HARD, SUDDEN PULLS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT WITH A HARD BINDING AND BREAKING LOOSE. EVENTUALLY, A MASSIVE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK OCCURED WITH THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF DRIVE. INVESTIGATION FOUND THE TRANSMISSION HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE DUE TO A "CARRIER PIN" FAILURE IN THE FINAL DRIVE. HONDA REASONS THIS TO SPINNING THE WHEELS ON A SLICK SURFACE SUCH AS ICE OR SNOW. THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED IN THIS MANNER. MY BROTHER OWNED THE VECHILE FROM NEW AND I AM THE SECOND OWNER. THIS AUTOMOBILE HAS ALWAYS SHIFTED VERY HARD AND REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO HAVE HONDA DEALERS CORRECT IT WERE MET WITH NO ACTION. INSTEAD EVERYONE STATED THAT THIS IS THE WAY ALL 1990 ACCORDS SHIFT. I SUSPECT THE SHIFTING PRESSURES WERE INCORRECTLY SET AT THE FACTORY OR A BASIC DESIGN/ENGINEERING FLAW WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IF THE SUDDEN DRIVE FAILURE HAD OCCURED IN DENSE TRAFFIC, AND JAMMED A DRIVE WHEEL, WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURIED OTHERS. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO HAVE HONDA RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM HAVE MET WITH FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #702813

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 1998
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT BECAUSE IT STARTED TO GRIND INTO SMALL PIECES ADN CAUSED THE CAR NOT OT MOVE.

NHTSA ODI #700697

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 1998
EquipmentPower TrainSeat Belts

WHEEL BEARING FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #537578

Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 1998
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #780934

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 1997
Power Train

SET RING FAILED, CAUSING TRANSMISSION LEAK.

NHTSA ODI #516826

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.

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.

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

PE93083 · Stalling

Opened Sep 27, 1993 · Closed Jan 31, 1994

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

There is no summary currently available

EA91018 · Trunk Lid Failure

Opened Mar 18, 1991 · Closed Oct 31, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

EA91013 · Door Lock Actuator Failure

Opened Jan 23, 1991 · Closed Dec 5, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE91023 · Trunk Lid Failure

Opened Dec 5, 1990 · Closed Mar 18, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

PE90123 · Door Lock Actuator Failure

Opened Sep 27, 1990 · Closed Jan 22, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available

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