1990 Acura Legend: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Acura Legend: 1 recall, 36 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.

Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #95V103001 · 1995 · 3,700,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
The 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…
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Airbags Equipment recall #90E043003 · 1990 · 36 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Inflator component separation allows hot combustion gases to escape into the passenger compartment which could result in injuries to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (11): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (6), noise or vibration (2).
- Body & structure (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1990 Acura Legend has 36 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 6 Legend model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 48). Complaints peaked in 1995 (10 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 115,290 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (117 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Acura Legend.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Acura Legend have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1990 Acura Legend, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Acura Legend problems?
Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (11), body & structure (5), transmission & drivetrain (4).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Acura Legend get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (2.7 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Acura Legend repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.