1991 Honda Accord: problems, recalls and reliability
13 recalls and 212 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 212 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The automatic seat belt on my driver side is stuck in the forward position. The passenger side belt works just fine, just not the driver side. This happened after I had my distributor replaced and when I started my car up, it wouldn't work.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2018
“Car died when I'm stopped and when I accelerate. Now I can't get it to start at all. The sparks are good, the fuel pump is good and it has gas in it .”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2017
“The driver side automatic retractable seat belt restraint is currently stuck in the forward position by the window and will not retract. We have taken the car for a diagnostic check to verify that it needs replaced. The part is supposed to be covered under the lifetime seatbelt warranty but we are having continued issues getting something done. They have told us they can't locate a part, that they aren't "sure" if it's covered, and have basically brushed us off.”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 honda accord. The contact stated that the driver side seat belt failed to retract and expand. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the shoulder restraint failed and the seat belt retractor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case on the contact's behalf. The approximate failure mileage was 229,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 honda accord. While driving at any speed, the seat belt warning sensor light illuminated with a beeping sound. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician could not find a failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 202,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Dec 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 honda accord. The contact stated that the seat belt buckle would not latch or retract. In addition, the buckle seat belt warning light illuminated while seat belt was buckled. The failure occurred on a daily basis. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat belt control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 268,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2014
“My automatic seat belt on the drivers side stopped retracting, and now the seatbelt light flashes and warning bell keeps beeping. Even when I have the seat belt fastened. I called my local honda dealer. The service department told me it was not covered under the warranty, but I have the warranty and it says it is covered. When I told them that, I was told I could bring the car in and pay to determine if it is covered. But they say only the belt buckle is covered. My warranty states the whole system is covered. It was larry miller honda in boise idaho that I called. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1991 honda accord lx. The contact stated that when the brakes were depressed, the rear seat belt restraint failed to operate. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 216,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2013
“The seat belt shoulder restraint is locked in a retracted position. Honda america says that only the buckle is warranteed for life and not any other portion of the system. My owners manual states that the seat belt is warranteed for the usable life of the automobile. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2013
“The seat belt control module failed, the driver's side sliding seat belt is stuck in the forward position. The lifetime seat belt warranty covers the seat belt control module as it is a seat belt component. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 17 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 13 campaigns
A WASHER IN THE CARGO AREA LIGHT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED, AND MAY HAVE FALLEN IN THE CARGO LIGHT DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THIS OCCURRED, AND THE THREE POSITION LIGHT SWITCH IS IN THE MIDDLE POSITION, AND THE TAILGATE IS OPEN, THE WASHER CAN CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE LIGHT.
Remedy: REMOVE THE WASHERS BEHIND THE CARGO AREA LIGHT AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LIGHT ASSEMBLIES.
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.
Remedy: 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 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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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 SECURELY LOCKED, THEN PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS ANY SIGN OF BREAKAGE OR CRACKING, OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, PROMPTLY CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED HONDA/ACURA DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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."
Remedy: POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN 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.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: 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.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC 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.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
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 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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 EAGLE EYES AND SONAR HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON 1988-2005 HONDA CIVIC, 1990-2005 HONDA ACCORD, AND 1990-2001 ACURA INTEGRA PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS 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.
Remedy: TOM MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF NONCOMPLIANT LIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOM MOTORSPORT AT 626-968-4007.
THE REAR OUTSIDE SEATING POSITION SAFETY BELTS MAY LOCK UP AT ANGLES OTHER THAN THOSE REQUIRED BY FMVSS 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES". THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD.
Remedy: REPLACE THE SENSOR IN THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1991 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Accord by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1991 Honda Accord reliable?
NHTSA has 212 owner complaints and 13 recall campaigns on record for the 1991 Honda Accord. The most complained-about area is seat belts (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1991 Honda Accord problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 166,219 miles or less.
Does the 1991 Honda Accord have open recalls?
13 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning interior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.