CarModelProblems.com

1990 Honda Accord Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Structure:body:door — runs 2.8× the fleet median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.
192Complaints
12Recalls
10Crashes
8Fires
8Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Structure:body:door (16.7% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.

Structure:body:door complaints here are 2.8× the median for that category across the 1175 model-years tracked on this site.

2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Structure:body:door32 · 16.7%Investigation closedEA91018 · EA91013 · PE91023 · PE90123
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch28 · 14.6%No official action
Electrical System:ignition12 · 6.2%No official action
Seat Belts12 · 6.2%RecalledRecall 93V056000 · Recall 95V103001
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly11 · 5.7%RecalledRecall 93V056000 · Recall 95V103001
Power Train:automatic Transmission11 · 5.7%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION12 · 6.2%
SEAT BELTS12 · 6.2%
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY11 · 5.7%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION11 · 5.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH7 · 3.6%
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR6 · 3.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5 · 2.6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE5 · 2.6%

Percentages are the share of the 192 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 12 campaigns

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 08E050000 · 2008 · reported 08/11/2008

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E060000 · 2006 · reported 06/29/2006

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 06E023000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E064000 · 2006 · reported 07/17/2006

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E049000 · 2006 · reported 05/24/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 06E025000 · 2006 · reported 03/21/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 06E032000 · 2006 · reported 04/18/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:front:anchorage

NHTSA campaign 93V056000 · 1993 · reported 04/22/1993

NON-CONFORMING SAFETY BELTS CAUSE AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

NHTSA campaign 95V103001 · 1995 · reported 05/24/1995

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“DIVER SIDE DOOR WAS INOPERATIVE, COULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. LOCKSMITHS COULD NOT OPEN DOOR. REQUIRED BODY SHOP TO REMOVE ENTIRE DOOR REPLACE…”NHTSA complaint 733855 — filed 10/09/2000 · STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
“DOOR ON DRIVER'S SIDE COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM EITHER SIDE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURER'S RECALL, AND…”NHTSA complaint 863117 — filed 06/06/2000 · STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
“POWER DOOR LATCH FAILS TO ALLOW DOOR TO OPEN AT TIMES,DOOR WOULD NOT ALLOW AN EXIT IN AN EMERGENCY, IF SOME HOW THE CAR CAUGHT…”NHTSA complaint 718022 — filed 01/29/2000 · STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

2519972517199925102001832003712005352008112014112022

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1990 Honda Accord?

Structure:body:door issues are the most-reported category, cited in 32 of 192 NHTSA complaints (16.7%), followed by latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch (28), electrical system:ignition (12), seat belts (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1990 Honda Accord have?

192 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 10 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1990 Honda Accord have any recalls?

Yes — 12 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 08E050000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1990 Honda Accord's reported problems?

2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.