Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Acura Legend, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 10 | 27% |
| Power train | 4 | 11% |
| Structure | 3 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 8% |
| Air bags | 3 | 8% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 5% |
| Tires | 2 | 5% |
| Seats | 2 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 5% |
| Air bags | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 ACURA LEGEND. WHILE BACKING UP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES CEASED TO FUNCTION WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN WHICH CAUSED MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY CAUSEING SWELLING TO MY FACE AND THE FUMES FROM THE AIR BAG ITSELF WAS VERY STRONG. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I HAVE HAD THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS REPLACED IN 2001, 2002 AND 2003 WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES AND AROUND A YEAR OF WEAR. THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE REPLACED, THE DEALER DID THEM AND PUT IN DEFECTIVE PARTS. AND REFUS
NHTSA complaint: Steering
SEAT BELTS IN THE REAR JUST POPPED OUT AND CONSUMER CANNOT USE THEM. WHAT CAN SHE DO?*AK
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
THE SPRINGS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO HOLD MY TRUNK LID OPEN AREN'T STRONG ENOUGH AND THE LID CLOSES SUDDENLY WHEN THERE IS A BREEZE OR IT'S PARKED ON A INCLINE. IT PROBABLY HAPPENS AT LEAST 5 TIMES A MONTH, OR MORE FREQUENTL
NHTSA complaint: Structure
10/30/99 WIRING FOR RADIO/SPEAKERS BURNED. WORLD OF SOUND REBUILT ALL FOUR AMPS; TOTAL COST $728.17. 8/24/02 SAME BURNING SMELL, SAME FAILURE. WORLD OF SOUND REPAIRED/REPLACED REAR SPEAKERS AT TOTAL COST OF $360.40.
NHTSA complaint: Equipment
VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH ENGINE TURNED OFF AND KEYS WERE OUT OF THE IGNITION. 20 MINUTES LATER,HEARD ALARM SOUND. WENT OUTSIDE AND VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE WHILE MOTOR WAS RUNNING. CAUSE NOT KNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH TURNED THE WHEEL SHARPLY AND DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1990 Acura Legend. 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.
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
THREADED INFLATOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY WHICH MAY ALLOW COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE WHEN INFLATOR RECEIVES A SIGNAL TO DEPLOY THE AIR BAG.
Risk: INFLATOR COMPONENT SEPARATION ALLOWS HOT COMBUSTION GASES TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Fix: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 84 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 51 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 10 of them (27%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
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 1990 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 72/100. 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.