Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1990 Honda Accord, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Seat belts33
- Structure33
- Latches/locks/linkages30
- Electrical system26
- Power train15
- Engine and engine cooling13
- Service brakes, hydraulic10
- Visibility9
- Steering8
- Vehicle speed control6
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 8 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 21 1990 Accord vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 17 people died inside them, and 5 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1990 Honda Accord failed the safety check 1.62% of the time — 40% more often than the average 1990 passenger car (1.16%). Median odometer at inspection: 147,935 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
17 cars built in 1990 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 76 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
34 of these cars first registered in 1990 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 322,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
65 1990 cars are on the New Zealand register; 11% arrived as used imports, 86% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1990 Honda Accord.
| 1995086 24 May 1995 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles, the platic front seatbelt release buttons may break allowing plastic pieces to fall into the buckle assembly. If this should happen, a no … |
| 1993049 13 Apr 1993 | Seats And Restraints Certain Accord wagons fail to comply with the requirements of CMVSS 209 - Seatbelt Assemblies. Rear outboard seatbelts may lock-up when vehicle is parked at an… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Honda told its dealers about the 1990 Honda Accord: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 624101 | INFORMATION REGARDING A/T SLIPPAGE. *ET |
| 618984 | INFORMATION ON REPLACING THE O2 SENSOR WHEN EXPERIENCING HESITATION OR DELAY DURING MODERATE ACCELERATION. *TT |
| 615787 | INFORMATION ON VEHICLES EXHBITING A TRANSMISSION THAT SLIPS AFTER DRIVING. *TT |
| 6092376 | INFORMATION ON DIAGNOSING THE CEILING LIGHTS. *TT |
| 603961 | CONCERNS WITH ENGINE HESITATION OR STUMBLE CAN BE FELT UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION BETWEEN 1,500 AND 2,000 RPM. *YC UPDATED 10/09/07. *NJ |
| 602682 | SOME VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE HESITATION OR STUMBLE. *YC |
| 52056 | REAR WHEEL BEARING NOISE. *JD |
| 45026 | 1990 ACCORD CAMPAIGN PRODUCT UPDATE REPORT. *TW |
| 39522 | DOORS OR WINDOWS HARD TO OPEN. *TW |
| 39521 | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR SENSOR. *TW |
| 39517 | PARTIALLY OPEN WINDOW RATTLES. *TW |
| 39045 | FRONT AND REAR TIRE WEAR. *TW |
| 10013953 | AUDIO UNIT AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM ANTI-THEFT CODES AVAILABLE ON INTERACTIVE NETWORK. *NM |
| 10009278 | HEATER BLOWER MOTOR GETS HOT OR BLOWS A FUSE. HONDA. SERVICENEWS. *TT |
| 10009048 | AUDIO, ANTI-THEFT CODES. HONDA. TECH LINE SUMMARY. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
STALLING
TRUNK LID FAILURE
DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURE
TRUNK LID FAILURE
DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation