VehicleVerdict

1991 Honda Prelude problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 18 complaints on file for the 1991 Honda Prelude — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 4 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

18

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

4

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other Prelude years?

Prelude NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 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, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Prelude years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Honda Prelude problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts950%
Engine739%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)16%
Latches & Locks16%

Does the 1991 Honda Prelude have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THIS HEAD-ON COLLISION WAS INVESTIGATED BY THE CHP. CENTRAL DIVISION CHP M.A.I.T. WAS REQUESTED TO EXAMINE THE FAILURE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE RESTRAINT. UPON EXAMINATION SGT. ESMAY DETERMINED THAT THE RESTRAINT WAS BEING WORN DUE TO THE SIGNS OF LOADING ON THE WEBBING AND LOOP GUIDE. THE WEBBING OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · September 28, 1998 · crash

“BOUGHT THE CAR AND THE ENGINE BLEW UP AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE THE WAS NO REASON WHY THE ENGINE BLEW OUT AND CAUGHT ON FIRE.... IT THREW A ROD. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · fire

“AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM FAILURE: EIGHT (8) DEALER ATTEMPTED REPAIRS; FOUR (4) NEW COMPRESSORS AND COMPLETE SYSTEMS INSTALLED; THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS SPENT (APPROX. $6,000.00); AND A/C REMAINS DEAD.*AK VEHICLE IS 1991 HONDA PRELUDE SI, VIN [XXX], PURCHASED NEW 7/22/91 FROM WOODLAND HILLS HONDA, 6111…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Climate Control (A/C & Heat) · May 4, 1996

“THE HOOD HAD OPENED UP WHILE MY SON WAS USING THE CAR. THIS RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE FRON GLASS, ROOF, LEFT SIDE MIRROR, LEFT SIDE DOOR AND LEFT SIDE FRONT FENDER, AND HOOD.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · May 6, 2002

1991 Honda Prelude — common questions

Is the 1991 Honda Prelude reliable?

The record is thin — 18 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1991 Prelude problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (9 complaints), engine (7 complaints), latches & locks (1 complaints).

Does the 1991 Honda Prelude have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1991 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.