1989 Honda Accord

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

77/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA about the 1989 Honda Accord, and it carries 1 recall. 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.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Seat belts	34	33%
Suspension	10	10%
Engine and engine cooling	8	8%
Vehicle speed control	8	8%
Electrical system	7	7%
Fuel system	5	5%
Service brakes	4	4%
Visibility	4	4%
Tires	3	3%
Structure	3	3%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR MY SON, WHO IS 18, AND WHEN A FRIEND WAS GOING TO CHANGE THE OIL AND HE HOISTED IT TO WORK UNDERNEATH IT, THE WHOLE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR IS DAMAGED. THE MUFFLER ISN'T SECURED AS IT IS RUSTED OUT, TH
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

1989 ACCORD ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE IN THE RED PRIOR TO THE FIRE. *NM
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

(1) EVENT HYBRID DESIGN FLAW: 1989 HONDA ACCORD 2.0L FUEL INJECTION: MANUFACTURED AS A HYBRID, JULY 1989. PROOF OF HYBRIDIZATION: AUTO PART DEALERS SHOW DIFFERENT PARTS FOR THIS MODEL BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

CONSUMER HAD TO STOP DRIVING BECAUSE SEAT BELTS DID NOT STAY LATCHED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

MY PROBLEM CONTINUES. SO I REPAIR, IT CONTINUES. IT IS HARD TO GET A NEW CAR AND AT THE PRESENT TIME FINANCES AREN'T ALLOWING ME TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. MY HEALTH IS SUFFERING FOR THAT REASON. WHEN I WARM MY CAR UP
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

TIRES TWO WEEKS OLD. RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW AT 60 MPH. TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED. FIRESTONE DEALER CLAIMED PUNCTURE CAUSED IT. I COULD NOT FIND PUNCTURE. FIRESTONE DID NOT HELP WITH TIRE REPLACEMENT. HAD TO GET A NE
NHTSA complaint: Tires

VEHICLE'S ODOMETER FAILED AT 88,000 MILES. *MR IT WAS DISCOVERED THE ODOMETER WAS POSSIBLY TAMPERED WITH. *SCC *JB
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other

I WISH I HAD KNOWN EARLIER THAT THIS COMPLAINT TO THE NHTSA WAS POSSIBLE. FOR YEARS, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MY 1989 HONDA ACCORD. SINCE THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP THE CAR OVERHEATED AN
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1989 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.

Seat belts:front:buckle assembly 95V103001

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

The seven scores

Reliability	84	excellent
Longevity est.	84	excellent
Maintenance	89	excellent
Depreciation	83	excellent
Performance	45	below average
Efficiency	43	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 43% of compact cars
Longevity: better than 88% of compact cars
Running costs: better than 82% of compact cars
Value retention: better than 85% of compact cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 84: from NHTSA recalls and complaints, divided by approximate units sold so it is comparable between models.
Longevity 84: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1989 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 89: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1989 Honda Accord?

Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 34 of them (33%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1989 Honda Accord reliable?

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.

How long will a 1989 Honda Accord last?

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 1989 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1989 Honda Accord?

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.