Model year guide

1989 Acura Legend

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1989 Acura Legend is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1989 Acura Legend — representative photo
Representative photo

1989 Acura Legend at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints38
Combined18–19 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1989 Acura Legend recalls 2

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly NHTSA Campaign #95V103001 · 24/05/1995

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.

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 PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECU…

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #90E043003 · 29/10/1990

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.

Fix: REPLACE AIR BAG MODULES CONTAINING POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE INFLATORS.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1989 Acura Legend common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.

1989 Acura Legend MPG & running costs

Combined18–19 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,625
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume95 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,125 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1989 Acura Legend costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,125
Fuel only$18,125
Per mile$0.24

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1989 Acura Legend vehicles on record

Other Acura Legend model years

1989 Acura Legend — frequently asked questions

Does the 1989 Acura Legend have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1989 Acura Legend. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Acura Legend?

Across all 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, hydraulic, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 1989 Acura Legend get?

The 1989 Acura Legend has U.S. EPA estimates of 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.