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1988 Acura Legend LS Sedan MT

The 1988 Acura Legend LS Sedan MT is a 161-hp 2.7-liter V6 sedan with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $28,525 MSRP and is rated at 19 mpg combined.

It makes 161 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and 162 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway (19 mpg combined).

The Legend measures 189.4 inches long on a 108.7-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,205 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$28,525 ($78,365 *)
Engine
Engine TypeSOHC, 90-degree V6, 24-valve, transverse mounted, Variable Intake Control System
Displacement2.7 L
Horsepower161 hp @ 5,900 rpm
Torque162 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
Valvetrain4 valves per cylinder, belt-driven single overhead camshafts, hydraulic lash adjustment
Bore and Stroke87 x 75 mm
Compression Ratio9.0:1
Injection TypeComputer controlled, programmed fuel injection, Variable Intake Control System
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
1st Gear2.923
2nd Gear1.789
3rd Gear1.222
4th Gear0.909
5th Gear0.702
Reverse3
Final Drive4.2
Fuel Economy
City17 MPG
Highway22 MPG
Combined19 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular unleaded
Tank Capacity18 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent double-wishbone with coil springs and stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionIndependent reduced-friction strut with trailing link, coil springs and stabilizer bar
Front Stabilizer Bar1.04 in (26.4mm)
Rear Stabilizer Bar0.49 in (12.44mm)
Turning Diameter37.1 ft
Brakes
Front Brake DiscVentilated disc, 11.1 in
Rear Brake DiscSolid disc, 10.2 in
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front15x5.5JJ light alloy
Wheels Rear15x5.5JJ light alloy
Tires Front205/60R15 Michelin MXV 90H
Tires Rear205/60R15 Michelin MXV 90H
Dimensions & Weight
Length189.4 in
Width68.3 in
Height54.7 in
Wheelbase108.7 in
Front Track59.1 in
Rear Track57.5 in
Ground Clearance5.9 in
Cargo Volume14 ft³
Curb Weight3,205 lbs
Weight Distribution (F/R)63% / 37%
Interior
Headroom Front38.4 in
Headroom Rear36.5 in
Legroom Front43.4 in
Legroom Rear34.5 in
Shoulder Room Front55.7 in
Shoulder Room Rear55.4 in
Hip Room Front51.3 in
Hip Room Rear55.1 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1988 Acura LEGEND. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

May 24, 1995 · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 95V103001

Oct 29, 1987 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.

Consequence: VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.

Remedy: UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.

NHTSA campaign 87V171000

34 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1988 Acura LEGEND

Owner Complaints

34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Acura LEGEND (11 mention a crash, 6 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Vehicle Speed Control13
Power Train8
Hydraulic5
Service Brakes5
Fuel System3
Gasoline3
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Aug 30, 2023 · Tires
“gingerbread factory national fedration newspaper employee. projectory math musuem”
Feb 15, 2012 · Power Train
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 ACURA LEGEND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ABLE TO BE ENGAGED IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…”
Jan 15, 2004 · Fuel System, Gasoline, Equipment Crash 1 injury
“I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN VIOLENT FULL ACCELERATION WITH A 1988 ACURA LEGEND, WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH INTO A BUILDING, AND A VERY BADLY BROKEN LEG FOR ME. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF POSSIBLY THOUSANDS OF…”
May 23, 2003 · Vehicle Speed Control Crash
“WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A WALL. *JB”
Feb 27, 2003 · Vehicle Speed Control Crash
“ON FEB 3, 2003, I WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND PUT CAR IN REVERSE, I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR NO MATTER HOW MUCH PRESSURE I PUT ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR BACK UP ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1988 ACURA LEGEND. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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