no report yet
Front: buckle assembly
Risk. THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
1988 Honda PreludeProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 35 owner complaints about the 1988 Honda Prelude, most often about the steering. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 9, 2007. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1988 Honda Prelude has problems
35 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
13Steering1 crash/fire/injury
8Seat belts1 crash/fire/injury
8Fuel system, gasoline1 crash/fire/injury
3Engine and engine cooling3 crash/fire/injury
2Exterior lighting
1Vehicle speed control
1Equipment
1Suspension
1Electrical system
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 13 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 8 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 8 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
1988 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
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL SHOULDPEDAL BE CAUGHT AND HELD DOWN BY BENT STOPPER, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
no report yet
Seats
Risk. BRACKET FAILURE COULD RESULT IN SEAT BECOMING LOOSE;VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 207.
no report yet
Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
Risk. IF THE FLUID CONTACTS THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, IT MAYCAUSE SMOKE AND POSSIBLY AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Show 2 more recalls
no report yet
Other: owners/service/other manual
Risk. VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control
Risk. RESIDUE MAY CAUSE THROTTLE VALVE RETURN-TO-IDLE SPEED TOBE SLOWER THAN NORMAL WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED.
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
1988 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
In owners' words
What Prelude owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I HAVE A 1988 HONDA PRELUDE. THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE HAS A LEAK AT THE CONNECTION RIGHT ABOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA TO SEE IF THE RECALL HAD BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF, AND THEY STATED THAT IT HAD. I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE. THIS POSED A SERIOUS…
I [XXX] AND [XXX], OWN A 1988 HONDA PRELUDE SI 4WS. VEHICLE VIN: [XXX]. AT THE ENDING WEEK OF DECEMBER WHILE DRIVING IT STARTED TO SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD AREA AND LACK OF CONTROL ON POWER STEERING OCCURRED. WENT TO LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP CASON HONDA LOCATED AT 1445 E.223RD ST.CARSON, CA 90745…
DUE TO DEFECTIVE HOSE,POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. RECALL 88V05900 WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
Own a 1988 Prelude?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.