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1986 Honda Accord

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1986 Accord.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1986 Honda Accord is documented as a four-speed-automatic model rated by the EPA at 21 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, with oil service specified at 3.7 quarts of 20W-40, 20W-50, or 10W-40 viscosity. Reliability records for this model year list 63 owner complaints, the most common area being the fuel system, along with two recalls. Because the broader Accord complaint history tracked in the database spans 1990 to 2022—peaking at 2,013 complaints for the 2003 model year and reaching a low of 213 for 2022—the 1986 model sits outside that comparison window, so its documented issue count should be read as a standalone snapshot rather than a direct point on the model's later reliability curve.

Model year2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 1986

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.7 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-40OEM · verified

EPA fuel economy21/27/23 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	178.7 in
Overall width	66.9 in
Overall height	53.5 in
Wheelbase	102.4 in
Curb weight	2546 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	21 / 27 / 23 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	89 cu ft
Cargo volume	14 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Accord of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.5–15.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.50 sec — 1995 LX V-6 Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1989	LXi Coupe 2.0L I-4	11.40 sec	18.40 sec	120 hp	FWD
1990	EX Sedan 2.2L I-4	9.70 sec	17.10 sec	125 hp	FWD
1981	Sedan 1.8L I-4	13.40 sec	19.20 sec	75 hp	FWD
1991	EX Wagon 2.2L I-4	9.00 sec	16.80 sec	125 hp	FWD
1979	CVCC Sedan 1.8L I-4	12.00 sec	18.80 sec	72 hp	FWD
1978	CVCC 3-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4	15.20 sec	19.30 sec	68 hp	FWD
1994	EX Sedan 2.2L I-4	9.40 sec	17.00 sec	145 hp	FWD
1995	LX V-6 Sedan 2.7L V6	8.50 sec	16.50 sec	170 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.7 qt of 20W-40 / 20W-50 / 10W-40 engine oil.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	20W-40 · 20W-50 · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 · 5W-20
Engine Oil Capacity	3.7 qt

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect) · Suspension System (torque) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 7,500 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 mi	Parking Brake System (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 45,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Air Injection System (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record begins in 1990, showing 220 complaints and 12 recalls for that year. From 1990 through 2003 complaints generally rise, peaking at 2,013 complaints and 24 recalls in 2003, after which the numbers fluctuate but remain above the 1990 baseline. Because 1986 precedes the earliest year in the dataset, the record provides no complaint or recall figures for the target year itself. The upward trend observed after 1990 implies that earlier models such as the 1986 Accord likely experienced fewer reported issues than later years, though the lack of specific 1986 data prevents a definitive assessment. Consequently, while the pattern hints that the 1986 model may be comparatively reliable, a prospective buyer should confirm the vehicle’s condition through a professional inspection rather than rely solely on generational trends.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

6 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’92 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 63 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline19

Seat Belts17

Service Brakes, Hydraulic4

Power Train4

Electrical System3

Suspension3

Vehicle Speed Control2

Engine & Engine Cooling2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

92V028001Fuel System, GasolineReported 15/04/1993

IF THE PLASTIC COATING OF THE FUEL FILLER AND/OR BREATHER PIPE IS DAMAGED, SALT WATER MAY ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE PLASTIC COATING AND THE STEEL PIPES, AND THE ACCUMULATION COULD CAUSE CORROSION WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY… Remedy: REPAIRS WILL BE MADE TO VEHICLES WITH CORRODED FILLER OR BREATHER PIPES.

95V103001Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 24/05/1995

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. 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
HON950405B	1995-04-01	Fuel System, Gasoline	CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY REPORT FOR THE 1986-87 ACCORD FUEL FILLER PIPE RECALL. *TW

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Accord. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 3.7 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1986 Accord take?

3.7 qt of ABOVE 14 degrees F: 20W-40 OR 20W-50, ABOVE -4 degrees F: 10W-40, -4 degrees TO 90 degrees F: 10W-30, BELOW 32 degrees F: 5W-30, BELOW 14 degrees F: 5W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 1986 Accord have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Accord get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.