Model year guide

1991 Acura Legend

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1991 Acura Legend is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1991 Acura Legend — representative photo
Representative photo

1991 Acura Legend at a glance

Safety recalls7
Owner complaints130
Combined18–19 mpg

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

1991 Acura Legend recalls 7

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 11/05/2009

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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

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.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

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.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E065000 · 17/07/2006

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 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

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.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E049000 · 24/05/2006

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. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

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.

Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc. NHTSA Campaign #01V053000 · 22/02/2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN AND COUPE MODEL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A BOSE AUDIO SYSTEM THAT HAD SEPARATE SPEAKER AMPLIFIERS MOUNTED BEHIND THE REAR SEAT BACK. A TRANSISTOR IN THE SPEAKER AMPLIFIER COULD OVERHEAT.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AMPLIFIER CIRCUIT BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Power Train:automatic Transmission NHTSA Campaign #91V065000 · 17/04/1991

TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE BRACKET CAN BE DAMAGED BY THE ENGINE ROCKING FORWARD ON ENGINE MOUNTS IN A MINOR COLLISION.

Fix: REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE AND ATTACHING HARDWARE WITH REDESIGNED ASSEMBLIES.

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.

1991 Acura Legend common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
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.
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.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.

1991 Acura Legend MPG & running costs

Combined18–19 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,450
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$10,250 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 1991 Acura Legend costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,250
Fuel only$22,250
Per mile$0.30

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.

Dimensions & weight

Length
192.5–194.9 in
Width
71.3 in
Height
53.5–55.1 in
Wheelbase
111.4–114.6 in
Curb weight
3,455–3,468 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1991 Acura Legend — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 6

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for the outer diameter of the ball joint housing being too small. The outer diameter being too small would prevent the part from being installed, a…

Bulletin DORE5C4S09 · Suspension · Jul 2019

ACURA: THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING: TIRE PRESSURE VALVE STEM INSTALLATION, TRAILER STABILITY MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON, ENGINE OIL APPLICATION GUIDE, NEW SOFTWARE, NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID, NOTCHY STEERING FEELING. *RM

Bulletin SB-0708 · Tires · Nov 2010

INTERMITTENT SRA DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 1-1 TO 1-5, DRIVER'S AIRBAG INFLATOR CIRCUIT. OCTOBER TECH LINE INFORMATION. *TT

Bulletin 1002 · Air Bags · Oct 2002

CLICKING NOISE WHILE CLICKING. *TW

Bulletin 92009 · Power Train · Feb 1995

PRODUCT UPDATE: THROTTLE BODY SUBASSEMBLY SET. *TW

Bulletin B930063 · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 1993

GLOVE BOX LIGHT STAYS ON. *TW

Bulletin 92026 · Exterior Lighting · Sep 1993

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the LEGEND. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1991 Acura Legend. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Electrical

On certain vehicles equipped with Bose audio systems that have separate speaker amplifiers mounted behind the rear seat back. Under high ambient temperature conditions, the amplifier circuit board could develop a short circuit due to electrolyte leakage from a capacitor mounted on the board. If a short circuit occurs, one or more transistors could overheat causing smoke or the…

Transport Canada #2001084 · Apr 2001

Powertrain

DURING A MINOR FRONTAL COLLISION, THE ENGINE WILL ROCK FORWARD ON THE ENGINE MOUNTS. ALTHOUGH THERE MAY BE NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE BRACKET MAY BE DAMAGED AND THE SHIFT LEVER INDICATED POSITION MAY NOT MATCH THE TRANSMISSION GEAR POSITION. THIS COULD RESULT IN UNANTICIPATED MOVEMENT OF THE CAR WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. CORRECTION: TR…

Transport Canada #1991064 · Apr 1991

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Acura Legend

The Acura Legend is a mid-size luxury car sold in the United States and Canada by Acura, the luxury division of Honda, from 1985 until 1995. It was the first flagship sedan sold under the Acura nameplate, until being renamed in 1996 as the Acura 3.5RL. The 3.5RL was the North American version of the KA9 series Honda Legend.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1991 Acura Legend vehicles on record

Other Acura Legend model years

1991 Acura Legend — frequently asked questions

Does the 1991 Acura Legend have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 1991 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 1991 Acura Legend?

Across all 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are equipment, air bags, service brakes.

What gas mileage does the 1991 Acura Legend get?

The 1991 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.