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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

Electrical System complaints

17 reports
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180,000 miles · Dec 4, 2016
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR BECAME LOOSE AND NOW STAYS IN A DOWN POSITION AND SWINGS FREELY. WAS TOLD TO VISIT JUNK YARD TO FIND A FUNCTIONAL VISOR (WHOLE UNIT HAS TO BE REPLACED). THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED 5 YEARS AGO. THE WINDSHIELD SUN VISOR IS A BIG ISSUE SINCE IT OBSTRUCTS MY VISION (ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT) AND SINCE IT IS SO ANNO…

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DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR BECAME LOOSE AND NOW STAYS IN A DOWN POSITION AND SWINGS FREELY. WAS TOLD TO VISIT JUNK YARD TO FIND A FUNCTIONAL VISOR (WHOLE UNIT HAS TO BE REPLACED). THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED 5 YEARS AGO. THE WINDSHIELD SUN VISOR IS A BIG ISSUE SINCE IT OBSTRUCTS MY VISION (ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT) AND SINCE IT IS SO ANNOYING, I'VE REMOVED IT. NOW I HAVE SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING BRIGHTLY DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I'M DRIVING. APPROXIMATELY 8 YEARS AGO THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SIDE WINDOW QUIT WORKING. I HAD THE MOTOR REPLACED, BUT IT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM - IT WON'T GO UP THE ENTIRE WAY. ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE - SIDE WINDOW STOPPED GOING DOWN ALL THE WAY. AGAIN, I HAD THE MOTOR REPLACED, BUT IT STILL WON'T GO DOWN WITHOUT HESITATION AND STOPS AT THE HALFWAY POINT. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON PERMANENTLY APPROXIMATELY 7 YEARS AGO AND I'VE HAD 3 REPAIR SHOPS TELL ME THEY CANNOT GET IT TO TURN OFF. NOW I DON'T KNOW WHEN I'M HAVING AN ISSUE. CURRENTLY, I KEEP SMELLING A BURNING RUBBER SMELL, BUT NO ISSUES W/RADIATOR ARE PRESENT. NOT SURE IF THE 'CHECK ENGINE LIGHT' WOULD HAVE ALERTED ME TO A PROBLEM, BUT I DO COUNT ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS TO WARN ME OF ISSUES I WOULDN'T BE AWARE OF SINCE I'M NO MECHANIC. I PURCHASED A HONDA DUE TO THEIR SAFETY RECORDS AND DURABILITY AND COUNTED ON KEEPING MY CAR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE. I'M NOW HAVING TO RECONSIDER PURCHASING A CAR IN THE NEXT YEAR AND AS MUCH AS I WAS ABLE TO DEPEND ON MY HONDA, I'M STRONGLY CONSIDERING A DIFFERENT CAR MAKE (NOT A HONDA). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10929774

256,000 miles · Dec 17, 2013
Electrical SystemSeat Belts

MY AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE STOPPED RETRACTING, AND NOW THE SEATBELT LIGHT FLASHES AND WARNING BELL KEEPS BEEPING. EVEN WHEN I HAVE THE SEAT BELT FASTENED. I CALLED MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT I HAVE THE WARRANTY AND IT SAYS IT IS COVERED. WHEN I…

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MY AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE STOPPED RETRACTING, AND NOW THE SEATBELT LIGHT FLASHES AND WARNING BELL KEEPS BEEPING. EVEN WHEN I HAVE THE SEAT BELT FASTENED. I CALLED MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT I HAVE THE WARRANTY AND IT SAYS IT IS COVERED. WHEN I TOLD THEM THAT, I WAS TOLD I COULD BRING THE CAR IN AND PAY TO DETERMINE IF IT IS COVERED. BUT THEY SAY ONLY THE BELT BUCKLE IS COVERED. MY WARRANTY STATES THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS COVERED. IT WAS LARRY MILLER HONDA IN BOISE IDAHO THAT I CALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556306

123,382 miles · Oct 29, 2010
Electrical SystemSeat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSED THE SEAT BELT LIGHT TO TURN ON. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAG…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSED THE SEAT BELT LIGHT TO TURN ON. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,382 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,800. UPDATED 01/13/11*BF UPDATED 01/24/11*JB

NHTSA ODI #10362895

207,000 miles · Mar 23, 2009
Electrical System

1991 HONDA ACCORD SEAT BELT LIGHT BLINKS AND BEEPS ALL THE TIME. HONDA WILL NOT COVER UNDER LIFETIME WARRANTY, WANTS $685.00 TO REPLACE SEAT BELT WARNING CONTROL UNIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262774

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2007
Electrical System

MY 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT COMES ON WHILE I AM DRIVING AND THE CAR JERKS, OR IF IT HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS IDLING THE CAR STALLS. IT THE LIGHT IS ON I HAVE TO SHIFT BEFORE THE RPM 'S GET TO 3500 OR THE CAR SHAKES AND LOOSES POWER. WHEN THE LIGHT IS OFF THE CAR RUNS FINE. I CAN ONLY DRIVE ABOUT 10 MILES BEFORE THE LIGHT COMES ON…

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MY 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT COMES ON WHILE I AM DRIVING AND THE CAR JERKS, OR IF IT HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS IDLING THE CAR STALLS. IT THE LIGHT IS ON I HAVE TO SHIFT BEFORE THE RPM 'S GET TO 3500 OR THE CAR SHAKES AND LOOSES POWER. WHEN THE LIGHT IS OFF THE CAR RUNS FINE. I CAN ONLY DRIVE ABOUT 10 MILES BEFORE THE LIGHT COMES ON. THE LIGHT COMES ON EITHER WHEN I START THE CAR OR SHORTLY AFTER EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE CAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10188180

175,000 miles · Jun 9, 2004
Electrical System

SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE DISTRIBUTOR. CUT OFF ON THE FREEWAY. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THE DRISTRIBUTOR WENT BAD. I HAVE HEARD THAT THERE WAS RECALLS A WHILE AGO FOR THIS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10075040

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 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 · Sep 24, 2001
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS CAR SUDDENLY WENT DEAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER STED THAT IT WAS WIRE TO ALTERNATOR THAT WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY REPAIRED WIRE. A WEEK LATER ALTERNATOR WENT BAD AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #896750

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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