VehicleVerdict

1988 Honda Prelude problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 40 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.6 times the median Prelude year — the 1988 model ranks #3 of 27 Prelude years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Steering leads the complaint categories with 14 reports (35% of the total).

40

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1988 compare to other Prelude years?

Prelude NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted88 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 3 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 5 complaints1985: 11 complaints1986: 12 complaints1987: 17 complaints1988: 40 complaints1989: 34 complaints1990: 4 complaints1991: 18 complaints1992: 26 complaints1993: 14 complaints1994: 12 complaints1995: 9 complaints1996: 4 complaints1997: 88 complaints1998: 86 complaints1999: 40 complaints2000: 14 complaints2001: 25 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 0 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints
Prelude NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Prelude years to avoid →

What are the most common 1988 Honda Prelude problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering1435%
Seat Belts923%
Fuel System820%
Engine38%
Electrical System25%
Lighting25%
Speed Control13%
Suspension13%

Does the 1988 Honda Prelude have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

95V103001Seat BeltsMay 24, 1995 · 3,700,000 units

Defect

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Consequence

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

Remedy

OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, THEN PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS ANY SIGN OF BREAKAGE OR CRACKING, OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, PROMPTLY CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED HONDA/ACURA DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

89V097000Speed ControlJune 13, 1989 · 76,973 units

Defect

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPER MAY BE BENT WHEN EXCESSIVE DOWNWARD FORCE IS APPLIED AFTER PEDAL HAS CONTACTED THE STOPPER.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL SHOULDPEDAL BE CAUGHT AND HELD DOWN BY BENT STOPPER, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

INSTALL A SUPPORT TO PREVENT STOPPER FROM BENDING.

89V093000SeatsJune 8, 1989 · 25,252 units

Defect

THE REAR INBOARD SEAT ANCHORAGE BRACKET FOR THE FRONT SEATS MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE FORCE REQUIRED BY FMVSS 207.

Consequence

BRACKET FAILURE COULD RESULT IN SEAT BECOMING LOOSE;VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 207.

Remedy

INSTALL A REINFORCING PLATE TO REAR INBOARD SEAT ANCHORAGE BRACKET FOR EACH FRONT SEAT.

88V059000SteeringApril 6, 1988 · 66,239 units

Defect

VIBRATION AND HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES COULD CAUSE POWER STEERING SUPPLY HOSE AT THE CONNECTOR CLAMP SEAL TO DEVELOP A FLUID LEAK.

Consequence

IF THE FLUID CONTACTS THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, IT MAYCAUSE SMOKE AND POSSIBLY AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

INSTALL AN IMPROVED POWER STEERING SUPPLY HOSE ASSEMBLY.

87V171000OtherOctober 29, 1987 · 99,088 units

Defect

OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.

Consequence

VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.

Remedy

UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.

87V122000Speed ControlAugust 4, 1987 · 7,893 units

Defect

A SMALL AMOUNT OF COOLANT SEEPAGE MAY OCCUR, AND EVENTUALLY RESIDUE MAY ACCUMULATE ON THE THROTTLE VALVE.

Consequence

RESIDUE MAY CAUSE THROTTLE VALVE RETURN-TO-IDLE SPEED TOBE SLOWER THAN NORMAL WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED.

Remedy

REPLACE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY WAS RECALLED IN 1988 YET THE ORIG. OWNER DID NOT RECIEVE RECALL NOTICE . NOW THIS FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE DEFECT, CONFIRMED BY MY MECHANIC AND COSTING ME APPROX. 1500.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR WITH THE FIRE DAMAGE. HOPEFULLY HONDA WILL REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST. I HAVE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 29, 2000 · fire

“RECALL # 95V103001, CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN OCTOBER OF 97. NO PROBLEM WITH BUCKLE AT THAT TIME. THE BUCKLE HAS BEEN BROKEN SINCE MAY OF 97. CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO GET RECALL WORK PERFORMED BECAUSE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER WAS DELAYING THE REPAIR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · September 10, 1997

“GAS FILLER TUBE RUSTED OUT. 83-87 PRELUDES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAME DEFECT. WHY NOT MINE? PLEASE ADVISE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I LOSE AN AWFULLY LOT OF GAS ON THE FILLING STATION DRIVE WHICH COULD CATCH FIRE. I WOULD LIKE TO FIX THIS BUT DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System

“THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY WAS RECALLED IN 1988 YET THE ORIG. OWNER DID NOT RECIEVE RECALL NOTICE . NOW THIS FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE DEFECT, CONFIRMED BY MY MECHANIC AND COSTING ME APPROX. 1500.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR WITH THE FIRE DAMAGE. HOPEFULLY HONDA WILL REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST. I HAVE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 29, 2000 · fire

1988 Honda Prelude — common questions

Is the 1988 Honda Prelude reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 40 complaints put the 1988 model at #3 of 27 Prelude years. It is one of the Prelude years to avoid.

What are the most common 1988 Prelude problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (14 complaints), seat belts (9 complaints), fuel system (8 complaints).

Does the 1988 Honda Prelude have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1988 Honda Prelude. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Honda Prelude years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Prelude years to avoid are 1997, 1998, 1999, 1988, 1989. The cleanest record among Prelude years belongs to 2006.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.