Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 126 complaints with NHTSA about the 1987 Honda Accord, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 34 | 27% |
| Fuel system | 28 | 22% |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 8% |
| Tires | 8 | 6% |
| Power train | 7 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 3% |
| Suspension | 4 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THIS IS WITH REGARDS TO CAMPAIGNS 92V028000 AND 92V028001. BOTH CAMPAIGNS CALL FOR REPAIRS TO DAMAGED PART, BUT DON'T ADDRESS HOW LONG MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR REPAIRING SPECIFIC PART. IN THIS CASE IT IS
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE VEHICLE'S GAS FILLER PIPE RUSTED. *NM CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 92V028000 DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HONDA MOTOR COMPANY REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH THE COST OF REPAIRS. *TC
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL CONCERNING FUEL TANK FILLER NECK LEAK. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY JUST LOOKED AT IT. DEALER NEVER CHANGED THE TUBE BECAUSE AT THAT TIME IT WAS NOT LEAKING. CURRENTLY CONSUMER SA
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
VEHICLE'S HOOD FLEW OPEN AND WRAPPED AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. *MR *SCC *JB
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THERE WAS A FUEL LEAKAGE WHEN FILLING UP VEHICLE. DRIVER NOTIFIED THE DEALER BY PHONE. THE DEALER TOLD THE DRIVER THAT RECALL CAMPAIGN 92V028001 EXPIRED, AND HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
DRIVER NOTICED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, AND THE HOT SIGN APPEARED ON THE THERMOSTAT. VEHICLE SHUT DOWN, OIL AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOOD AREA. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WHILE PARKED, THE BATTERY EXPLODED AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *PH *JB
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
CONSUMER STATES FUEL LINE IS CROSSING UNDER THE DRIVER MAT AND IS LEAKING GAS DUE THAT LINES BEING RUSTED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE FUEL LINE WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER QUESTIONED WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THE NEXT TIME IT
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1987 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
OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.
Risk: VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.
Fix: UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.
| Reliability | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | 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 126 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 34 of them (27%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (good) 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 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1987 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 75/100. 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.