IllustrationDRIVER'S SHOULDER/LAP BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AS INTENDED; WHEN UNBUCKLED, DOES NOT REWIND, SO MUCH SLACK, OCCUPANT NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED. TT
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Prelude years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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
What owners actually said
35 reportsWHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON, THERE ARE NO DASH LIGHTS/REAR DRIVING LIGHTS. *DSH
THE ACCELERATOR PAD MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
88V05900 CAR WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL FROM PREVIOUS OWNER, PRESENT OWNER STILL HAVING SAME PROBLEM. TT
UPON IMPACT RIGHT FRONT, PASSENGER SEAT BELT TIGHTENED RESULTING IN CHEST CONTUSION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
RECALL RELATED, 88V059000, POWER STEERING HOSE, BROKE WHILE IN FOR REPAIR, NEVER RECEIVE THE NOTICE. TT
FUEL LEAKS OUT AREA/FILLER PIPE TO THE VEHICLE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS BROKEN (RELEASE BUTTON IS BROKEN). TT
ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
VEHICLES FUEL TANK PIPE HAS A LEAK DUE TO RUST. THE COATING HAS PEELED AWAY, IF TANK IS FULL IT LEAKS/OR WHEN PUMPING. TT
Official recalls
695V103001 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.