AcuraLegend1991Overview/acura/legend/1991/base/

1991 Acura Legend

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Legend.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1991 Acura Legend features a 4-speed automatic transmission and an EPA fuel economy rating of 17/21/18 mpg, requiring 4.8 quarts of 5W-30 API SG engine oil. This model year marks the peak of owner complaints for the 1990-1995 production run, recording 130 reports compared to just 16 for the 1995 model. These reliability concerns are centered primarily on equipment and are further noted by seven recalls.

Model year199519941993199219911990198919881987

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 API SGOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/21/18 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.5 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height53.5 in
Wheelbase111.4 in
Curb weight3468 lb

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 21 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

7.0–8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.99 sec — 1991 LS Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1991LS Coupe 3.2L V66.99 sec15.37 sec200 hpFWD
1991LS Coupe 3.2L V67.50 sec15.80 sec200 hpFWD
1991LS Sedan 3.2L V67.80 sec16.30 sec200 hpFWD
1991LS Sedan 3.2L V67.90 sec16.10 sec200 hpFWD
1991LS Sedan 3.2L V68.30 sec16.20 sec200 hpFWD
1992LS Coupe 3.2L V67.90 sec15.90 sec200 hpFWD
1993LS Coupe 3.2L V66.70 sec15.40 sec230 hpFWD
1993LS Coupe 3.2L V67.20 sec15.50 sec230 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 5W-30 API SG engine oil, 80W-90 · API in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.2
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · API
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.8 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.

Every 7,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 miParking Brake System (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (torque)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Antilock Brake System (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 60,000 miBrake Line (replace) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 90,000 miTiming Belt (replace) · Water Pump (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 1991 Acura Legend sits at the peak of this generation's federal activity, recording 130 complaints and 7 recalls—both the highest figures across the 19901995 span. That represents a sharp jump from 1990's 37 complaints and 2 recalls, and while 1992 remains elevated at 96 complaints and 6 recalls, the series then falls steeply to 26 complaints in 1993 and continues declining through 1995. The broader arc is an early spike followed by sustained improvement, placing 1991 at the worst point of the curve rather than in the calmer later years. Within 1991, Equipment dominates with 60 complaints, followed by Air Bags at 12, Power Train at 7, and Service Brakes, Hydraulic at 6; the data does not specify root causes for these complaint categories. The year also carries 14 crash-related and 6 fire-related complaints, the heaviest safety-reported profile of the generation. Because it tops both the complaint and recall counts, 1991 is not the strongest model year to buy in this generation, and a prospective owner should prioritize a well-documented maintenance history and thorough pre-purchase inspection.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
6
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
130
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 6 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 130 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Equipment60
Air Bags12
Power Train7
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6
Engine & Engine Cooling6
Structure5
Vehicle Speed Control4
Tires3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

06E049000Exterior LightingReported 24/05/2006

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH… Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 6 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DORE5C4S092019-07-11SuspensionThis SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of…
SB-07082010-11-01TiresACURA: THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING: TIRE…
10022002-10-16Air BagsINTERMITTENT SRA DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 1-1 TO 1-5, DRIVER'S AIRBAG INFLATOR CIRCUIT…
920091995-02-01Power TrainCLICKING NOISE WHILE CLICKING. *TW
B9300631993-12-01Vehicle Speed ControlPRODUCT UPDATE: THROTTLE BODY SUBASSEMBLY SET. *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 Legend. 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 Legend take?

4.8 qt of 5W-30 API SG, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 Legend have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Legend get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 21 highway / 18 combined mpg.