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1990 Honda Accord problems

The most common problem on the 1990 Honda Accord is body and structure. It has fewer complaints than a typical Accord model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
192
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
15
Worst area
Body
Fuel economy
22-23mpg

The worst 1990 Honda Accord problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1990 Honda Accord

Door locks 36Seat belt 9Fire or smoke 8

Recalls 2

Seat belts: front: buckle assemblyReported May 24, 1995 · 3,700,000 vehicles affected
What is 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.
Risk
The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
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.

Recall number 95V103001 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: anchorageReported April 22, 1993 · 45,958 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Non-conforming safety belts cause an increased risk of injury in the event of a sudden stop or accident.
Remedy
Replace the sensor in the rear seat belt retractor.

Recall number 93V056000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1990 Honda Accord

Defect investigations

Seat belt buckle failureOpened October 27, 1994, closed July 31, 1995

There is no summary currently available

EA94035

StallingOpened September 27, 1993, closed January 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

PE93083

Trunk lid failureOpened March 18, 1991, closed October 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

EA91018

Door lock actuator failureOpened January 23, 1991, closed December 5, 1991

There is no summary currently available

EA91013

Trunk lid failureOpened December 5, 1990, closed March 18, 1991

There is no summary currently available

PE91023

Door lock actuator failureOpened September 27, 1990, closed January 22, 1991

There is no summary currently available

PE90123

Technical service bulletins for the 1990 Honda Accord 15

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 15 bulletins for the 1990 Honda Accord

1990 Honda Accord fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.2L 4‑cylFWD19-2126-2722-23

What 1990 Honda Accord owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 2, 2022 · Seat belts · 155,022 miles · CA

The contact owns a 1990 Honda Accord. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the driver’s side seat belt retractor failed to work as needed. The seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by the local dealer with seat belt failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,022.

Filed Jan 4, 2020 · Body · CA

Hi we'll all I could said that park my car on 53th st and hooper yesterday at 11pm was my last seen of the car is a honda accord 90 green the problem is that is not register under my name but I have the papers on hand.

Filed May 2, 2014 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · CA

I was driving down a major street when the engine suddenly died. I reacted quickly and was able to coast and pull off onto a side street without interrupting the flow of traffic. I barely made the turn without the power steering. I did some investigating and found that the ignition switch had some burned contacts. That's what caused the sudden loss of power.

Filed Dec 28, 2010 · Seat belts · 248,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 1990 honda accord ex. The contact stated that the seat belt warning system light remained illuminated although the contact had not experienced a seatbelt failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and the contact was advised there was a recall on the seatbelts under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 95v103001 (seat belts:front:buckle assembly). The manufacturer advised the contact that the repair needed to correct the failure was not covered under the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 248,000 and the current mileage was 250,000. Updated 5/2/11

Filed Dec 29, 2008 · Seat belts · 211,000 miles · TN

1990 honda accord two door coupe passenger front seat belt malfunction. My front track seat belt is locked in the forward position. Normally it retracts to rear position after door closes. I took my car to local honda dealership after they said over the phone that seat belt repair was covered for lifetime of vehicle. The dealership had the car for two days then said I needed a seat belt control unit, not covered by lifetime warranty. Dealer did not fix malfunctioning seat belt. I called honda USA in torrence, ca.(1‑800‑999‑1009), they also said seat belt control unit was not warranted. I do not know what to do other than fix problem at my own expense. Is honda's assumption correct in stating seat belt control unit is not part of the seat belt, thus not covered under lifetime warranty?

Filed Sep 11, 2008 · Seat belts · 220,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 1990 honda accord. For more than a year, the seat belt light illuminated intermittently on the instrument panel. The dealer stated that the contact would be responsible for the repair costs, although there is a lifetime warranty on the seat belt assembly. The current mileage was 270,000 and failure mileage was 220,000.

Filed Sep 4, 2008 · Tires · MD

Tl - the contact owns a 1990 honda accord. The passenger front tire went totaly flat on the highway. The vehicle had to be towed. The tire shop had to replace the tire because the sidewall had been damaged. All of the valve stems on the vehicle were damaged and had to be replaced. She also had a problem with the front driver's side tire loosing air, that tire was okay. The contact did not have any information on the valve stems. The current mileage was 153,000. Kg updated 10/03/08 *bf the consumer stated the tire had suddendly deflated. The consumer was told it was due to a cut valve stem. The sescond time the incident happened, the right front tire suddenly deflated. The consumer was then told the tire had to be replaceddue to sidewall damage. The consumer was told all 4 valve stems were replaced. Updated 10/06/08.

Filed Aug 14, 2008 · Seat belts · 185,000 miles · NC

The passanger front lap belt has failed. It is under a lifetime warranty. Handa has failed to fix it.

Filed Apr 22, 2008 · Seat belts · 88,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1990 honda accord. The contact stated that the shoulder strap of her seat belt was not functioning properly. She called the manufacturer and the dealer and they both stated that the seat belts were covered under warranty. After the seat belts were inspected, the service technician stated that the seat belt control unit was part of the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer stated that the control unit was not covered under the warranty, and would not be repaired for free. The failure mileage was 88,000 and current mileage was 88,020.

Filed Sep 28, 2007 · Brakes, Fuel system · 214,000 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 1990 honda accord. A few days after purchasing the vehicle, the contact filled the fuel tank and noticed a large puddle of gasoline on the garage floor. She also smelled gas fumes in the garage. She took the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that there was a large hole in the fuel tank and that the vehicle could explode at any time. The mechanic suggested that someone attempted to rig the fuel tank during a previous repair. The brake warning light illuminated and the tail lights were also not working when she took the vehicle to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 214,000.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1990 Honda Accord before you buy

Compare the 1990 Honda Accord

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Other model years

1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 1990 Honda Accord

Is the 1990 Honda Accord reliable?

Owners have filed 192 complaints about the 1990 Honda Accord, fewer than a typical Accord model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1990 Honda Accord?

Body and structure, with 33 complaints. Next is seat belts (33).

How many recalls does the 1990 Honda Accord have?

2 recalls, covering seat belts.

What year does the Honda Accord have the most body problems?

The Honda Accord model years with the most body complaints are 2000 (83 complaints), 1998 (76 complaints) and 2002 (75 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1990 Honda Accord get?

Official estimates for the 1990 Honda Accord range from 22 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-21 city and 26-27 highway.

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