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: 1 of 14 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
14 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2010
Tires
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED CAR IN JANUARY OF 2010. IT HAD INSTALLED ON IT, A SET OF FOUR DOUGLAS 185/70R/13 TIRES WITH THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF 0408 ON THE SIDEWALLS, AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER STATED THEY WERE ONLY ABOUT 2 MONTHS OLD (BOUGHT AT WAL MART). THEY ARE MODELED XTRA TRAC AW. WELL ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, I HAD ONE COMPLE…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED CAR IN JANUARY OF 2010. IT HAD INSTALLED ON IT, A SET OF FOUR DOUGLAS 185/70R/13 TIRES WITH THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF 0408 ON THE SIDEWALLS, AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER STATED THEY WERE ONLY ABOUT 2 MONTHS OLD (BOUGHT AT WAL MART). THEY ARE MODELED XTRA TRAC AW. WELL ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, I HAD ONE COMPLETELY BLOW OUT DUE TO SIDEWALL FAILURE. THIS BLOW OUT DAMAGED PRETTY MUCH THE ENTIRE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY CAR. I HAD TO REPLACE MY WHEEL BEARING, CV JOINT, AND A BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS I'M NOT SURE ABOUT ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE AREA. NOW THE OTHER THREE TIRES ARE BULGING ON THE SIDEWALLS, AND THE TIRES ONLY HAVE ABOUT 10,000 MILES ON THEM. WAL MART WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME, SINCE I DO NOT HAVE A RECEIPT. HOWEVER IF YOU GOOGLE THESE TIRES, THERE ARE PAGES UPON PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SIDEWALL FAILURE ON THESE TIRES. SOMETIMES EVEN JUST WITHIN A MONTH OF USE. I WAS ONLY CURIOUS IF THERE HAPPENS TO BE A RECALL ON THE PRESENT SET OF DOUGLAS TIRES, OR IF IT IS ONLY THE RECALL IN 1994. IF THERE IS NOT, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE ONE. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE A SET OF FOUR TIRES AFTER ONLY 10,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10340539
133,133 miles · May 1, 2006
Electrical System
IGNITION SWITCH - THE VEHICLE WILL START BUT WHEN THE KEY IS RELEASED FROM START THE ENGINE DIES. THIS PROBLEM MAY BE REPEATED OR WILL AGAIN START WORKING CORRECTLY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10156536
Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE'S OIL PAN PLUG STRIPPED WHENEVER THE OIL WAS CHANGED. *TT *NM
NHTSA ODI #566263
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2001
Seat BeltsInjury
REAR RESTAINT BELT IS PERMANENTLY RETRACTED AND LOCKED, I AM A MOTHER OF TWIN TODDLERS AND REQUIRE THE USE USE OF BOTH REAR SEATBELTS IN ORDER TO SECURE THEIR SAFTEY SEATS PROPERLY. MEANWHILE I'VE TRIED TO SECURE IT WITH THE MIDDLE LAP BELT BUT IT HAS FAILED AT PROVIDING ANY KIND OF RESRAINT WHEN I TAKE A SHARP TURN IT TIPS OVE…
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REAR RESTAINT BELT IS PERMANENTLY RETRACTED AND LOCKED, I AM A MOTHER OF TWIN TODDLERS AND REQUIRE THE USE USE OF BOTH REAR SEATBELTS IN ORDER TO SECURE THEIR SAFTEY SEATS PROPERLY. MEANWHILE I'VE TRIED TO SECURE IT WITH THE MIDDLE LAP BELT BUT IT HAS FAILED AT PROVIDING ANY KIND OF RESRAINT WHEN I TAKE A SHARP TURN IT TIPS OVER AND MY DAUGTERS HAVE BEEN INJURED A FEW TIMES OVER THIS DEFECT. I AM AFRAID IF I AM TO GET IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT THIS MIGHT FAIL TO SAVE THEIR LIVES. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE WHEATHER CONDITIONS ARE DANGEROUS FOR DRIVING AT THIS TIME AND I AM VERY WORRIED. *AK
CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN GOOD FAITH. WHILE DRIVING SHE NOTICED A FUEL SMELL. CONSUMER DIDN'T KNOW FROM WHERE SMELL WAS COMING AT THAT TIME. BRAKES WERE 75% FRONT AND REAR. TIRES WERE 50% THREAD AND MIXMATCHED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAS A DAMAGE FROM PREVIOUS MAJOR ACCIDENT AND FUEL TAND WAS REPLACED INCORRECTLY. *Y…
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CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN GOOD FAITH. WHILE DRIVING SHE NOTICED A FUEL SMELL. CONSUMER DIDN'T KNOW FROM WHERE SMELL WAS COMING AT THAT TIME. BRAKES WERE 75% FRONT AND REAR. TIRES WERE 50% THREAD AND MIXMATCHED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAS A DAMAGE FROM PREVIOUS MAJOR ACCIDENT AND FUEL TAND WAS REPLACED INCORRECTLY. *YH
NHTSA ODI #862837
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2000
Fuel System, GasolineFire
SMELLS LIKE GAS FUMES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719567
Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 1999
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed ControlCrash
FROM DAY ONE- IDLE FLUCTUATION WITH TONS OF DOCUMENTATION AND DENIAL TO PROBLEM BY DEALER & REPRESENTATIVE-FIRST DAY CAR WAS PURCHASED THERE WAS A CODE 12. ALL 4 FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED & EGR TUBES CLEANED. LIVED WITH UNRESOLVED PROBLEM ALL THESE YEARS, BUT NOW I HAVE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND AM FRIGTHENED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THE C…
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FROM DAY ONE- IDLE FLUCTUATION WITH TONS OF DOCUMENTATION AND DENIAL TO PROBLEM BY DEALER & REPRESENTATIVE-FIRST DAY CAR WAS PURCHASED THERE WAS A CODE 12. ALL 4 FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED & EGR TUBES CLEANED. LIVED WITH UNRESOLVED PROBLEM ALL THESE YEARS, BUT NOW I HAVE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND AM FRIGTHENED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THE CAR. I ALMOST KILLED SOMEONE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707245
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 1998
Seat Belts
SEAT BELTS DO NOT FIT PROPERLY.
NHTSA ODI #531489
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 1996
Steering
TIE ROD ON FRONT STEERING MECHANISM STRIPPED OFF, LEAVING DRIVER WITHOUT STEERING CAPABILITIES.
NHTSA ODI #504402
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 1996
Fuel System, Gasoline
RUST IN FUEL SYSTEM DUE TO RUSTED FUEL FILLER PIPE PRIOR TO RECALL.
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.
IF THE PLASTIC COATING OF THE FUEL FILLER AND/OR BREATHER PIPE IS DAMAGED, SALT WATER MAY ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE PLASTIC COATING AND THE STEEL PIPES, AND THE ACCUMULATION COULD CAUSE CORROSION WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY RUST THROUGH THE AFFECTED PIPES, ALLOWING GASOLINE FUMES AND FUEL TO LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: GASOLINE FUMES AND/OR FUEL LEAKAGE THROUGH THE FILLER ORBREATHER PIPES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy: REPAIRS WILL BE MADE TO VEHICLES WITH CORRODED FILLER OR BREATHER PIPES.
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
1
EA89005 · Fuel System Venting
Opened Nov 16, 1988 · Closed Nov 30, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
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1987 Honda Prelude Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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