Honda Prelude years to avoid
The Honda Prelude years to avoid are 1997, 1998, 1999, 1988, 1989 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2006 is the cleanest year on record.
463
Total complaints
17
Recall campaigns
1979–2006
Years covered
5
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Prelude years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | High complaint rate | 88 | |
| 1998 | High complaint rate | 86 | |
| 1999 | High complaint rate | 40 | |
| 1988 | High complaint rate | 40 | |
| 1989 | High complaint rate | 34 |
Every Prelude year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2004 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2003 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2002 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 25 | 3 | |
| 2000 | 14 | 3 | |
| 1999avoid | 40 | 4 | |
| 1998avoid | 86 | 5 | |
| 1997avoid | 88 | 5 | |
| 1996 | 4 | 6 | |
| 1995 | 9 | 5 | |
| 1994 | 12 | 5 | |
| 1993 | 14 | 5 | |
| 1992 | 26 | 5 | |
| 1991 | 18 | 1 | |
| 1990 | 4 | 1 | |
| 1989avoid | 34 | 1 | |
| 1988avoid | 40 | 6 | |
| 1987 | 17 | 2 | |
| 1986 | 12 | 2 | |
| 1985 | 11 | 1 | |
| 1984 | 5 | 1 | |
| 1983 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1981 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1980 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1979 | 0 | 1 |
Common questions
What are the worst Honda Prelude years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Prelude years to avoid are 1997, 1998, 1999, 1988, 1989. The cleanest year on record is 2006.
What is the best year for the Honda Prelude?
By complaint volume, 2006 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Prelude years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Honda Prelude have?
Across all model years, the Prelude has 17 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 463 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.