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1988 Honda Prelude

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
35Owner complaints

Model-year median: 11.5

6Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
7
198512
198614
198735
198821
19894
199015
1991
Compare all Prelude years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Steering
13Fuel System, Gasoline
8Seat Belts
8Engine And Engine Cooling
3Exterior Lighting
2
All reported categories
Electrical System
1Equipment
1Suspension
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 3 of 35 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports4 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2000
Electrical SystemSteeringFire

THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY WAS RECALLED IN 1988 YET THE ORIG. OWNER DID NOT RECIEVE RECALL NOTICE . NOW THIS FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE DEFECT, CONFIRMED BY MY MECHANIC AND COSTING ME APPROX. 1500.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR WITH THE FIRE DAMAGE. HOPEFULLY HONDA WILL REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST. I HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION AND RECEIPTS ALONG …

Read full complaint

THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY WAS RECALLED IN 1988 YET THE ORIG. OWNER DID NOT RECIEVE RECALL NOTICE . NOW THIS FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE DEFECT, CONFIRMED BY MY MECHANIC AND COSTING ME APPROX. 1500.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR WITH THE FIRE DAMAGE. HOPEFULLY HONDA WILL REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST. I HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION AND RECEIPTS ALONG WITH PHOTO'S TOO.

NHTSA ODI #719855

Official recalls

6

95V103001 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

May 24, 1995

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Consequence & remedy

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.

89V097000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Jun 13, 1989

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPER MAY BE BENT WHEN EXCESSIVE DOWNWARD FORCE IS APPLIED AFTER PEDAL HAS CONTACTED THE STOPPER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL SHOULDPEDAL BE CAUGHT AND HELD DOWN BY BENT STOPPER, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: INSTALL A SUPPORT TO PREVENT STOPPER FROM BENDING.

89V093000 · Seats

Jun 8, 1989

THE REAR INBOARD SEAT ANCHORAGE BRACKET FOR THE FRONT SEATS MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE FORCE REQUIRED BY FMVSS 207.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: BRACKET FAILURE COULD RESULT IN SEAT BECOMING LOOSE;VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 207.

Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCING PLATE TO REAR INBOARD SEAT ANCHORAGE BRACKET FOR EACH FRONT SEAT.

88V059000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Apr 6, 1988

VIBRATION AND HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES COULD CAUSE POWER STEERING SUPPLY HOSE AT THE CONNECTOR CLAMP SEAL TO DEVELOP A FLUID LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE FLUID CONTACTS THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, IT MAYCAUSE SMOKE AND POSSIBLY AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED POWER STEERING SUPPLY HOSE ASSEMBLY.

87V171000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual

Oct 29, 1987

OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.

Remedy: UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.

87V122000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Aug 4, 1987

A SMALL AMOUNT OF COOLANT SEEPAGE MAY OCCUR, AND EVENTUALLY RESIDUE MAY ACCUMULATE ON THE THROTTLE VALVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: RESIDUE MAY CAUSE THROTTLE VALVE RETURN-TO-IDLE SPEED TOBE SLOWER THAN NORMAL WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED.

Remedy: REPLACE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.