Honda Prelude Recalls & Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 368 owner complaints across 22 model years of the Honda Prelude (1979–2001). The most-complained-about year is 1998.
Pick your Honda Prelude model year
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 Honda Prelude | 1 | 21 |
| 2000 Honda Prelude | 1 | 13 |
| 1999 Honda Prelude | 2 | 31 |
| 1998 Honda Prelude | 3 | 69 |
| 1997 Honda Prelude | 3 | 66 |
| 1996 Honda Prelude | 1 | 4 |
| 1995 Honda Prelude | 0 | 6 |
| 1994 Honda Prelude | 0 | 9 |
| 1993 Honda Prelude | 0 | 11 |
| 1992 Honda Prelude | 0 | 22 |
| 1991 Honda Prelude | 1 | 15 |
| 1990 Honda Prelude | 1 | 4 |
| 1989 Honda Prelude | 1 | 21 |
| 1988 Honda Prelude | 6 | 35 |
| 1987 Honda Prelude | 2 | 14 |
| 1986 Honda Prelude | 2 | 12 |
| 1985 Honda Prelude | 1 | 7 |
| 1984 Honda Prelude | 1 | 5 |
| 1983 Honda Prelude | 1 | 1 |
| 1981 Honda Prelude | 1 | 2 |
| 1980 Honda Prelude | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 Honda Prelude | 1 | 0 |
What Honda Prelude owners complain about
Across all model years, owners have filed 368 complaints with NHTSA. The 1998 model year has the most, with 69.
All Honda Prelude recalls (12)
Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Honda Prelude, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.
-
Switch (electrical system)
On certain passenger vehicles, the interlock operation of the ignition switch may not function properly, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to park.
Remedy: Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that confirms interlock function. Vehicles will be updated with a redesigned interlock lever free of charge. The recall began on march 7, 2005. Owners may contact honda at…
-
Switch (electrical system)
On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began june 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
-
Suspension: lower ball joint
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain vehicles were manufactured with ball joints that can prematurely wear out and, in the worse case, the ball joint would separate causing the front suspension to collapse.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.
-
Buckle assembly (seat belts)
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.
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…
Model years: 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991
-
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
Remedy: Repairs will be made to vehicles with corroded filler or breather pipes.
Model years: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
-
Accelerator pedal (vehicle speed control)
The accelerator pedal stopper may be bent when excessive downward force is applied after pedal has contacted the stopper.
Remedy: Install a support to prevent stopper from bending.
Model years: 1988
-
Seats
The rear inboard seat anchorage bracket for the front seats may not withstand the force required by FMVSS 207.
Remedy: Install a reinforcing plate to rear inboard seat anchorage bracket for each front seat.
Model years: 1988
-
Hose, piping, and connections (steering)
Vibration and high underhood temperatures could cause power steering supply hose at the connector clamp seal to develop a fluid leak.
Remedy: Install an improved power steering supply hose assembly.
Model years: 1988
-
Owners/service/other manual (equipment)
Owners manual information required by FMVSS 210, sections 6a and 6b was omitted from the manual.
Remedy: Upgrade existing manuals by inserting adhesive backed correction pages.
Model years: 1988
-
Vehicle speed control
A small amount of coolant seepage may occur, and eventually residue may accumulate on the throttle valve.
Remedy: Replace throttle body assembly.
Model years: 1988
-
Frame and members (structure)
The springs are held up by a metal support around each shock absorber. Vehicles driven regularly in areas where roads are salted during wintertime are subject to rusting of these supports. Rusting may eventually allow the spring to break through the support.
Remedy: The spring supports and shocks will be inspected; depending on condition, the components will be rustproofed or replaced, if necessary.
Model years: 1980, 1981
-
Suspension
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.
Model years: 1979
Other Honda models
- Accord24,554 complaints
- Civic16,209 complaints
- CR-V15,994 complaints
- Odyssey12,749 complaints
- Pilot9,325 complaints
- Fit2,196 complaints
- Ridgeline2,186 complaints
- HR-V1,853 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.