1991 HONDA ACCORD

Typical onset: 120,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear under load, Delayed engagement when shifting from Park to Drive, Burnt transmission fluid smell, dark or metallic fluid, Shuddering during light acceleration

Fix: These 4-speed automatics (especially with the 2.2L) are known for weak clutch packs and failing oil cooler lines that contaminate the fluid. Rebuild runs 12-16 hours labor; many shops recommend replacement with a low-mileage JDM unit (8-10 hours). Cooler line replacement is mandatory during any trans work (add 1 hour).

Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200

Typical onset: 150,000-200,000+ mi

Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart of oil every 500-800 miles, Blue smoke on cold start or deceleration, Fouled spark plugs (oil-soaked), Carbon buildup around exhaust tips

Fix: The F22A engines develop ring wear and stuck oil control rings, especially if oil changes were stretched. Proper fix is a ring job (16-20 hours) or short block swap (18-22 hours). Many owners just top off oil and drive it into the ground. Head gaskets can also weep externally around this mileage (8-10 hours to replace both valve cover and head gaskets).

Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800

Symptoms: Headlights flickering or cutting out intermittently, One headlight dims significantly compared to the other, Melted plastic smell near headlight assemblies, Burnt or discolored headlight socket connectors

Fix: Factory headlight circuits were undersized for the load; sockets and pigtails overheat and melt over time. Six NHTSA recalls addressed lighting issues for good reason. Fix involves replacing socket pigtails (1-2 hours), sometimes the entire headlight switch (2 hours), and upgrading to relayed headlight harnesses for prevention (add 2-3 hours DIY). Cheap fix if caught early.

Estimated cost: $150-450

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Reverse to Drive, Excessive vibration at idle in gear, Engine rocks visibly when accelerating hard, Steering wheel vibration at highway speeds

Fix: Rubber mounts age out from heat cycles and oil contamination. Front mount is notorious for tearing. Replace all four mounts as a set (front, rear, left, right — about 4-5 hours total). Transmission mount is documented frequently in repair data for this chassis; it alone is 1.5-2 hours.

Estimated cost: $400-700

Typical onset: 120,000+ mi

Symptoms: Hard starting when engine is hot, Stumbling or hesitation during acceleration, Fuel smell in cabin or garage, Check Engine Light for lean/rich codes

Fix: In-tank fuel pump can fail (3-4 hours to drop tank and replace), but often it's clogged fuel filter (0.5 hour, under car near tank) or leaking injector o-rings (2-3 hours to pull rail and reseal all four). Fuel lines and hoses also crack with age. Diagnosis time adds 0.5-1 hour if symptoms are intermittent.

Estimated cost: $250-800

Symptoms: No-start or intermittent stalling, Rough idle, misfires under load, Backfiring through intake, Moisture inside distributor cap

Fix: Internal coil in the distributor fails, or cap/rotor corrode from moisture intrusion. Cap and rotor are maintenance items (0.5 hour); full distributor replacement if internal coil is bad (1.5 hours). These are wear items but failures spike in humid climates or if valve cover gasket leaks oil onto the distributor.

Estimated cost: $150-450