Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1979 Accord.
The 1979 Honda Accord is characterized by a minimal record of reported instability, featuring only three total owner complaints and one recall. These complaints were concentrated specifically within the seat belt area. This profile places the model year well below the levels seen in the broader 1990-2022 complaint history, which ranged from a high of 2,013 complaints in 2003 to a low of 213 in 2022.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 172 in |
| Overall width | 64.2 in |
| Overall height | 52.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 93.7 in |
| Curb weight | 2150 lb |
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.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 1981 | Sedan 1.8L I-4 | 13.40 sec | 19.20 sec | 75 hp | FWD |
| 1976 | CVCC 3-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4 | 13.80 sec | 20.00 sec | 68 hp | FWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
For the 1979 Honda Accord, the federal record shows two complaints regarding seat belts and one concerning vehicle speed control. Additionally, there was one reported crash complaint and zero fire complaints for this specific year. Because the provided federal record only spans from 1990 to 2022, there is no available data to compare the 1979 model to the years immediately before or after it. Consequently, the data does not specify a generational trend or how the 1979 model fits into a broader arc of reliability. Based on the minimal number of complaints and the absence of fire issues, this is a good year to buy.
All 3 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
PROLONGED CONTACT WITH ROAD SALT MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, CAUSE SERIOUS RUSTING. THIS CAN WEAKEN CERTAIN UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS: LATERAL SUSPENSION ARMS, FRONT CROSSBEAM AND STRUT COIL SPRING LOWER SUPPORTS. Remedy: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, TREATED WITH A RUST PREVENTIVE COATING. IN SOME CASES, REPLACEMENT OF COMPONENTS WILL BE PERFORMED, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.