1991 ACURA LEGEND

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Harsh shifting between gears, especially 2nd to 3rd, Slipping under acceleration or complete loss of forward gears, Dark burnt transmission fluid with metallic particles, Whining or grinding noise from transmission bell housing

Fix: The 4-speed automatic in these Legends grenades its clutch packs and planetary gears. Rebuild requires 12-16 hours labor with complete teardown, new hard parts, clutches, and bands. Most shops recommend reman unit instead. External cooler failure accelerates internal damage.

Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500

Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Excessive blue smoke on startup and acceleration, Oil consumption 1+ quart per 500 miles, Rod knock or main bearing rumble at idle, Loss of compression on one or multiple cylinders, Coolant mixing with oil (head gasket failure)

Fix: The C32A develops piston ring land cracks and bearing clearance issues due to heat cycling and oil starvation. Proper fix is full teardown: both head gaskets, all pistons/rings, bearings, machine work. 25-35 hours labor. Many owners opt for used JDM motor swap (15-18 hours) instead of rebuild.

Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500

Typical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: ATF pooling under engine bay or on ground, Rapid fluid loss leading to transmission overheat, Hard lines corroded through at radiator connection points, Transmission temp gauge spiking (if equipped)

Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through where they connect to radiator-mounted cooler. Leak dumps all ATF in minutes, killing transmission. Replace both hard lines and rubber sections, flush system. 3-4 hours labor if caught early before transmission damage.

Estimated cost: $400-700

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Severe clunking when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Engine rocking excessively during acceleration, Vibration through chassis at idle, Shifter surging forward under hard braking

Fix: Hydraulic and rubber mounts fail, allowing powertrain to shift violently. Front and rear engine mounts plus transmission mount typically need replacement as a set. 4-5 hours labor for all three.

Estimated cost: $600-950

Symptoms: Pop-up headlights stuck in raised or lowered position, One light operates while other is frozen, Grinding noise from headlight motor compartment, Intermittent operation requiring manual assist

Fix: Pop-up headlight motors and plastic actuator gears wear out. Motor replacement is straightforward but parts availability is poor (mostly used). Aftermarket conversion kits exist. 2-3 hours per side for motor/actuator.

Estimated cost: $300-600

Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Hard starting when engine is hot, Stumbling or hesitation under light throttle, Loss of power above 4,000 RPM, Fuel smell in cabin or engine bay

Fix: In-tank fuel filter clogs from sediment, pressure regulator diaphragm fails causing rich condition. Filter requires tank drop (5-6 hours). Regulator is on fuel rail (1.5 hours). Do both together with fresh pump if over 100k miles.

Estimated cost: $500-900

Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi

Symptoms: Whining noise when turning at low speeds, Power steering fluid leaking from pump or rack boots, Heavy steering effort when cold, Fluid level dropping repeatedly

Fix: Pump seals leak externally, rack seals leak into boots. Pump rebuild or replacement is 2-3 hours. Rack replacement requires full front subframe work, 8-10 hours. Catch pump leaks early to avoid rack contamination.

Estimated cost: $400-1,800