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1989 Honda PreludeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 21 owner complaints about the 1989 Honda Prelude, most often about the steering. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints211 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem9Steering

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 27, 2002. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Honda Prelude has problems

21 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
Steering90
Seat belts60
Engine and engine cooling50
Suspension20
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Vehicle speed control10
Electrical system11
Visibility10
Equipment10
3 other systems30

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

1 recall

1989 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 →

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

1989 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.

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING AT CONNECTOR CLAMP SEAL. NOTICED THE 1988 VEHICLES ARE UNDER RECALL CONCERNING SAME PROBLEM; NHTSA # 89V059 000. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER VEHICLE NOT UNDER RECALL. *AK
Complaint 829509 · Dec 3, 1998
POWER STEERING SUPPLY HOSE ON MY HONDA PRELUDE DEVELOPED A LEAK AT THE CONNECTOR CLAMP SEAL, AND DRIPPED FLUID ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING SMOKE. HONDA HAD RECALLED THE POWER STEERING SUPPLY HOSE WHICH THEY INSTALLED IN MY CAR, BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL…
Complaint 714928 · Nov 17, 1999
BRAKES SQUEAL. ALSO, POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK/ RADIATOR HOSE MELTS DUE TO CLOSE PROXIMITY TO MANIFOLD/ TRANSMISSION FAILURE/ WINDOWS FOG UP AND CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGES, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. VEHICLE SWERVES/UNEVEN BACK TIRE WEAR. *AK
Complaint 518145 · Aug 6, 1997

Own a 1989 Prelude?

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