Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Acura Legend, and it carries 7 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | 60 | 46% |
| Air bags | 12 | 9% |
| Power train | 7 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 5% |
| Structure | 5 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 3% |
| Tires | 3 | 2% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 2% |
| Steering | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
MY VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN 2006 AND SOMEONE FORGED THE SIGNATURE 2008. THEREFORE, I AM REPORTING A STOLEN LEGEND ACURA.I REPORTED TO THE DMV AND I ALSO HAD INSURANCE ON IT BUT THE DMV HIS IT THE VIN NUMBER FROM ME AND CLAI
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
[XXX] WITH THE G [XXX] XXXX XXXX 1989 ACURA LEGEND JH4K MICHELIN 205-60-R15 DOD HNP2 011X 5112 DOD HNP2 011X 5112 MC26920605T MICHELIN DEFENDER GRNX 51440 205/60R15 91T,51440 NTB INVOICE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REPLACEMENT BRAKE PADS WORE OUT PREMATURELY. THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE WERE COVERED WITH BRAKE DUST WITHIN THREE DAYS OF THE REPLACEMENT. HE REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS WITH AN AFTER MARKET BRA
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *BF THERE WAS NOISE ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, POOR GAS MILEAGE, JERKING WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, CURRENT (UNEASY DRIVING CONDITIONS), AND HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45-50 MPH AND SUDDENLY ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, AND IT RAN RIGHT INTO THE REAR OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND P
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR BRAKES FAILED. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER N
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH A LOUD CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER. ALSO, VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF T
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 1991 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.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIAT
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
| Reliability raw | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 82 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 55 | average |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and equipment is the most reported area with 60 of them (46%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (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 82/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 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 71/100. 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.