1987 Acura Integra Problems and Recalls (11 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 1987 Acura Integra is Body / frame (27% of 11 owner reports). There are 3 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Body / frame — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 11 complaints · 3 recalls

What problems show up on the 1987 Acura Integra?

3 of 11 filings named Body / frame (27% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Airbags (1 reports).

There are 3 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Glass / wipers / cameras and Seat belts. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 1986 has 5 reports on file; this year has 11. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 1987 Acura Integra

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 3 campaigns on file below.
  2. Body / frame. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck.
  3. Airbags. Confirm the airbag light behaves normally and that open airbag recalls are closed.
  4. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Body / frame. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Body / frame 3 complaints · 27.3% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 0
  • Fires 0
  • Injuries 0
  • Deaths 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Body / frame (STRUCTURE) appears in 3 of 11 owner complaints (27.3%) in this vehicle snapshot. Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 3 complaints, 27.3% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 3 · 27.3% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 1 complaints, 9.1% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 1 · 9.1% Engine (ENGINE): 1 complaints, 9.1% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 · 9.1% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 1 complaints, 9.1% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 1 · 9.1% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 1 complaints, 9.1% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 1 · 9.1% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 1 complaints, 9.1% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 · 9.1% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 1 complaints, 9.1% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 1 · 9.1% Steering (STEERING): 1 complaints, 9.1% of reports Steering (STEERING) 1 · 9.1% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 1 complaints, 9.1% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 1 · 9.1% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 8 complaints, 72.7% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 8 · 72.7% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 3 27.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 1 9.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 1 9.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 1 9.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 1 9.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 9.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 1 9.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING) 1 9.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 1 9.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 8 72.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 1995; the first recall shown was reported in Oct 1987. 1995-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 1996-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 1996-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 1997-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 1998-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2000-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2007-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Oct 1987 Oct 2017 Recall campaign 87V171000 ◆ Recall campaign 87V171000 Recall campaign 88V180000 ◆ Recall campaign 88V180000 Recall campaign 95V103001 ◆ Recall campaign 95V103001 Investigation EA89005 ● Investigation EA89005 Investigation EA94035 ● Investigation EA94035
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1995-Q4 Owner reports 1
1996-Q1 Owner reports 2
1996-Q2 Owner reports 1
1997-Q3 Owner reports 2
1998-Q4 Owner reports 1
2000-Q3 Owner reports 2
2007-Q1 Owner reports 1
2017-Q4 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 87V171000
Recall campaign 1 88V180000
Recall campaign 1 95V103001
Defect investigation 1 EA89005
Defect investigation 1 EA94035
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (3)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Glass / wipers / cameras and Seat belts.

  1. Recall campaign 87V171000

    Safety recall 87V171000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.
    Remedy:
    UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  2. Recall campaign 88V180000

    Glass / wipers / cameras

    Report date
    Component:
    Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
    Consequence:
    THIS COULD RESULT IN WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE AND WOULDAFFECT DRIVER VISIBILITY.
    Remedy:
    INSTALL A CONTACT UNIT HOLDER THAT WOULD PREVENT LOOSENING.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  3. Recall campaign 95V103001

    Seat belts

    Report date
    Component:
    Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 11 complaints · page 1 of 1
2017-11-09Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11044767
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TAKATA RECALL
2007-02-27Steering (STEERING)
NHTSA ODI 10183760
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THE CONSUMER'S 1987 ACURA INTEGRA LX EXPERIENCED STEERING WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY FAILURE**CC UPON QUICK REMOVAL OF THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER COVER, A CIRCULAR CRACK WAS DISCOVERED THAT ENCOMPASSED ABOUT 95% OF THE CIRCUMFERENCE SURROUNDING THE STEERING WHEEL RETAINED NUT. *NM
2000-08-11Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 553650
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THE CLUTCH THROW-OUT LEVER BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE REMAINED AT STOP. NLM
2000-07-14Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
NHTSA ODI 725442
CrashFireInjuryDeath
CLUTCH LEVER BROKE WITH CAR STOPPED AND IN GEAR. CAR LURCHED FORWARD INTO PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK ENDANGERING THE PEDESTIANS. *AK
1998-12-07Engine (ENGINE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 701186
CrashFireInjuryDeath
ACURA'S OWNER'S MANUAL MAKES NO MENTION OF THE TIMING BELT. ACURA'S SERVICE MANUAL MAKES NO MENTION OF THE PERIODIC MILEAGE INTERVAL AT WHICH THE TIMING BELT MUST BE REPLACED. ACURA HAS FAILED TO MAKE ANY RECOMMENDATION TO ITS AUTHORIZED SERVICE AGENTS AS TO THE MILEAGE INTERVAL AT WHICH THE TIMING BELT MUST BE REPLACED. AS A RESULT, ACURA VEHICLES ARE NOT BEING PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND ARE STALLING ON HIGHWAYS CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
1997-09-03Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 521637
CrashFireInjuryDeath
HATCH BACK STRUTS HAS NOT OPERATED PROPERLY, CAUSING CONSUMER TO BE HIT ON THE HEAD CONTINUOUSLY.
1997-08-08Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 518692
CrashFireInjuryDeath
THE PIN THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE CONNECTS TO AT BRAKE CALIPER BECOMES RUSTY/BINDING INSIDE CALIPER, CAUSING REAR CALIPERS TO FAIL. ALSO, REPLACED BOTH REAR CALIPERS. *AK
1996-06-10Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 985455
CrashFireInjuryDeath
WHEN DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON THEY SOMETIMES FLICKER AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL NOT COME BACK ON. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
1996-03-14Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 980720
CrashFireInjuryDeath
SUB-FRAMES ARE COMPLETELY RUSTING AWAY FROM TORSION BARS; IF THEY SNAP OFF, DRIVER WILL LOOSE CONROL OF VEHICLE. *AK
1996-01-18Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 977775
CrashFireInjuryDeath
WHEN GAS TANK IS FULL GASOLINE VAPORS SEEPS INTO VEHICLES INTERIOR. TT

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 1987 Acura Integra?

Owners named Body / frame most often — 3 of 11 reports (27%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 1987 Acura Integra?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Glass / wipers / cameras and Seat belts. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 1987 Acura Integra?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources