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Honda PreludeYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 368 NHTSA owner complaints across 22 model years, no Honda Prelude year stands out as one to avoid, and the strongest years are 1988, 1997 and 1999. The Prelude has 12 safety recalls on record.

Years to avoidNoneUse caution: 1998Best years'88 '97 '99Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints368Top: Power trainSafety recalls121979–2001 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Honda Prelude years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Prelude median. Tap a year for its full report.

'79'80'81'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2001Not rated–/10021 complaints · 1 recall2000Not rated–/10013 complaints · 1 recall1999Solid63/10031 complaints · 2 recalls1998Caution40/10069 complaints · 3 recalls1997Solid46/10066 complaints · 3 recalls1996Not rated–/1004 complaints · 1 recall1995Not rated–/1006 complaints · 0 recalls1994Not rated–/1009 complaints · 0 recalls1993Not rated–/10011 complaints · 0 recalls1992Not rated–/10022 complaints · 0 recalls1991Not rated–/10015 complaints · 1 recall1990Not rated–/1004 complaints · 1 recall1989Not rated–/10021 complaints · 1 recall1988Solid55/10035 complaints · 6 recalls1987Not rated–/10014 complaints · 2 recalls1986Not rated–/10012 complaints · 2 recalls1985Not rated–/1007 complaints · 1 recall1984Not rated–/1005 complaints · 1 recall1983Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1981Not rated–/1002 complaints · 1 recall1980Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1979Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Honda Prelude problems

All model years combined: 368 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train1045
Electrical system474
Engine and engine cooling467
Seat belts346
Steering321
Air bags2520
Fuel system, gasoline254
Suspension233
Tires202
12 other systems7916
12 recalls

Honda Prelude recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Ignition: switch05V-025 · 1997–2001 · Jan 28, 2005 · 486,659 vehicles–Ignition: switch02V-120 · 1997–1999 · May 16, 2002 · 1,000,000 vehicles–Control arm: lower ball joint99V-069 · 1996–1998 · May 10, 1999 · 124,875 vehicles–Front: buckle assembly95V-103 · 1986–1991 · May 24, 1995 · 3,700,000 vehicles–Fuel system, gasoline92V-028 · 1983–1987 · Apr 15, 1993 · 920,583 vehicles–Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal89V-097 · 1988 · Jun 13, 1989 · 76,973 vehicles–Seats89V-093 · 1988 · Jun 8, 1989 · 25,252 vehicles–Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections88V-059 · 1988 · Apr 6, 1988 · 66,239 vehicles–Other: owners/service/other manual87V-171 · 1988 · Oct 29, 1987 · 99,088 vehicles–Vehicle speed control87V-122 · 1988 · Aug 4, 1987 · 7,893 vehicles–Structure: frame and members84V-086 · 1980–1981 · Jul 18, 1984 · 95,951 vehicles–Suspension81V-136 · 1979 · Nov 6, 1981 · 936,774 vehicles
4 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Prelude

  1. IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCKPE05002 · 1997–2001 · closed Feb 2, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-025
  2. OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTSEA95024 · 1992–1993 · closed Aug 30, 1996
    No recall
  3. 4WHL STEERING SENSOR FAILSPE93060 · 1992 · closed Oct 29, 1993
    No recall
  4. FUEL SYSTEM VENTINGEA89005 · 1986–1987 · closed Nov 30, 1989
    No recall