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1987 Honda PreludeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 14 owner complaints about the 1987 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 complaints143 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem5Fuel system, gasoline

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 28, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Honda Prelude has problems

14 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, gasoline52
Seat belts31
Exterior lighting20
Tires20
Electrical system10
Vehicle speed control11
Engine and engine cooling10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Steering10

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

2 recalls

1987 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

1987 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 1987 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.

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…
Complaint 862837 · May 31, 2000
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…
Complaint 707245 · Jun 5, 1999

Own a 1987 Prelude?

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