Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the 1986 Honda Accord, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 19 | 30% |
| Seat belts | 17 | 27% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 6% |
| Power train | 4 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 5% |
| Suspension | 3 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 3% |
| Structure | 2 | 3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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, HESIT
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
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 N
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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 ACC
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
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 U
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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 LO
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1986 Honda Accord. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: GASOLINE FUMES AND/OR FUEL LEAKAGE THROUGH THE FILLER ORBREATHER PIPES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Fix: REPAIRS WILL BE MADE TO VEHICLES WITH CORRODED FILLER OR BREATHER PIPES.
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.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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 PRO
| Reliability | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 84 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 83 | excellent |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 19 of them (30%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 84/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1986 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 77/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.