Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 230 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Honda Accord, and it carries 12 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 35 | 15% |
| Power train | 25 | 11% |
| Seat belts | 24 | 10% |
| Structure | 21 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 18 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 16 | 7% |
| Tires | 15 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 15 | 7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 5% |
| Visibility | 8 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
1992 HONDA ACCORD. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE PROBLEMS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD MULTIPLE FAILURES AND STALLED WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL SYSTEM, ABS SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE HOWEVER, THE VEHIC
NHTSA complaint: Engine
THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO DRIVE. IT MAKES A HORRIBLE NOISE LIKE SOMETHING IS FALLING OUT UNDER THE HOOD AND WILL GO INTO REVERSE AND ALL OTHE GEARS BUT NOT DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
HORN IS DESIGNED POORLY WHICH HAS CAUSED SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO HONK MY HORN AT A CRUCIAL TIME. INSTEAD OF BEING ABLE TO PRESS THE CENTER OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO HONK THE HORN, THERE ARE TWO SMALL B
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE 1992 HONDA ACCORD. I HAVE EXPERIENCED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON THIS VEHICLE THAT WILL GENERALLY REQUIRE OVERHAUL OR REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER SEVERAL ON-LINE RESEARCH
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE CAR IS GOT SOME ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN THE WIRE MY MAINTENANCE SAID, AND NOW IT HAS A PROBLEM SHIFTING INTO ALL THE GEARS, IT STALLS WHEN YOU GO TO TAKE OFF, IT DON'T SEEM LIKE IT HAS ANY POWER BEHIND IT. IT HAPPENS EV
NHTSA complaint: Power train
ABS LITE CAME ON,I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY WARRANTY ON THIS. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
A FAULTY TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO AT RANDOM SHIFT IN TO AN IMPROPER GEAR OR INTO NEUTRAL AT OR DURING TAKE OFF FROM STOP. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER WHEN TRYING TO JOIN TRAFFIC, OR ONCE ALREA
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 1992 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.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND A
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
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 AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST 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 ASSOCIA
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: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
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.
| Reliability | 54 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 83 | excellent |
| Performance | 47 | below average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 230 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 35 of them (15%). There are 12 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 54/100 (average) 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 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. 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.