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1986 Honda PreludeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 12 owner complaints about the 1986 Honda Prelude, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints120 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem6Fuel system, gasoline

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 26, 2001. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Honda Prelude has problems

12 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
Fuel system, gasoline60
Seat belts30
Engine and engine cooling20
Seats10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1986 Honda Prelude recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 95V-103 · May 24, 1995 · 3,700,000 vehicles

Risk. THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 92V-028 · Apr 15, 1993 · 920,583 vehicles

Risk. GASOLINE FUMES AND/OR FUEL LEAKAGE THROUGH THE FILLER ORBREATHER PIPES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Honda.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other Prelude year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Prelude median. How we score

'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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1986 Honda Prelude, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL SYSTEM VENTINGEA89005 · closed Nov 30, 1989
    No recall
In owners' words

What Prelude owners report

Recent fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

RECALL 92V028001; FUEL FILLER AND CAP RUSTED THROUGH WHICH MAY CAUSE A FUEL LEAK AND A FIRE. THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS MADE ACCORDING TO CANADIAN STANDARDS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Complaint 835497 · Mar 5, 1999
THIS DEFECT IS COVERED BY NHTSA CAMAIGN ID 92V028001 AND IS A FIRE HAZARD. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN JAPAN AND AS SUCH DEALERS WILL NOT REPAIR AT NO CHARGE. THE WARRANTY STATES "EXCEPT AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW, THIS VEHICLE HAS NO WARRANTY IN THE 50 UNITED STATES, D.C., PUERTO RICO OR THE…
Complaint 752602 · Sep 26, 2001
HONDA RECALLED THIS CAR IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK FILLER PIPE DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION, HOWEVER, THE SURROUNDING MOUNTS AND THE FILL PIPE BOWL ON THE FILLER DOOR ARE ALSO EXCESSIVELY CORRODED, AND ARE FAILING TO HOLD THE FILLER PIPE IN PLACE, AND ALLOW EXCESSIVE FUMES TO BUILD UP WITHIN…
Complaint 747176 · Jun 20, 2001

Own a 1986 Prelude?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.