The most-reported Legend run is JH4KA7674NC (1992 builds) with 6 complaints, 4× the typical run. Equipment problems make up 30% of reports; 1991 is the worst model year at 1.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for Legend model years 1986–1995.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Acura Legend has 197 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 10% of every Legend complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JH4KA7674NC•••••• | 1992 | — | — | |
| JH4KA7673MC•••••• | 1991 | — | — | |
| JH4KA767XMC•••••• | 1991 | — | 1 | |
| JH4KA7671NC•••••• | 1992 | — | 1 | |
| JH4KA7677MC•••••• | 1991 | — | — | |
| JH4KA7670MC•••••• | 1991 | — | — | |
| JH4KA7674MC•••••• | 1991 | 1 | 1 | |
| JH4KA2646GC•••••• | 1986 | — | — | |
| JH4KA2648GC•••••• | 1986 | — | — | |
| JH4KA4674KC•••••• | 1989 | — | — | |
| JH4KA4660LC•••••• | 1990 | — | — | |
| JH4KA4669LC•••••• | 1990 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 185 Legend runs has 3 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Acura Legend the gap between build years is 1.7×: a 1991 car draws 1.7 complaints per run, a 1987 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 14 | 13 | 1 | |
| 1994 | 16 | 14 | 3 | |
| 1993 | 15 | 11 | 3 | |
| 1992 | 56 | 35 | 8 | |
| 1991 | 90 | 52 | 10 | |
| 1990 | 29 | 22 | 6 | |
| 1989 | 24 | 19 | 4 | |
| 1988 | 20 | 17 | 6 | |
| 1987 | 9 | 9 | 3 | |
| 1986 | 15 | 10 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 1991 at 1.7 complaints per run; lightest is 1987 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 30% of everything Acura Legend owners report: Equipment, 85 of 288 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment | 1 | 4 | |
| Air Bags | 23 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 9 | 1 | |
| Hydraulic | 9 | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 | — | |
| Power Train | 2 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | — | |
| Seat Belts | 3 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 11 recall campaigns on the Acura Legend; the 6 below cover build years 1986 to 1995. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1991–1995 |
| 06E049000 | Exterior Lighting | 1991–1995 |
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1991–1995 |
| 06E065000 | Exterior Lighting | 1991–1995 |
| 95V103001 | Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly | 1986–1990 |
| 90E043003 | Air Bags:frontal | 1989–1991 |
How serious were they
Of the 288 reports on the Acura Legend, 15.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Acura Legend | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 288 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 45 (15.6%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 11 (3.8%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 34 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 169% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Acura Legend share of that is 288 complaints over 197 runs, 0.03% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Acura Legend VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 288 NHTSA complaints from 197 Legend runs and 11 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Legend production run has the most complaints?
JH4KA7674NC, a 1992 build, with 6 complaints. The typical Legend run has 1.5.
Which Legend years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1991 is heaviest at 1.7 complaints per run and 1987 lightest at 1.
How many Legend complaints involve a crash?
15.6% of 288 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 11 involved a fire.
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