1992 Honda Prelude problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 26 complaints on file for the 1992 Honda Prelude — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1992 compare to other Prelude years?

Prelude NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Prelude years to avoid →

What are the most common 1992 Honda Prelude problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Airbags	8	31%	new
Electrical System	5	19%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	4	15%	▲ up
Transmission	3	12%	▲ up
Other	2	8%	▲ up
Speed Control	1	4%	— flat
Engine	1	4%	▼ down
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	4%	— flat
Visibility & Wipers	1	4%	— flat

Does the 1992 Honda Prelude have recalls?

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

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

06E060000LightingJune 29, 2006 · 87,745 units

Defect

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy

AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

06E049000LightingMay 24, 2006 · 27,176 units

Defect

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

06E025000LightingMarch 21, 2006 · 1,450 units

Defect

CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THIS CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED! IT IS SMASHED ALL IN THE FRONT, THE BACK IS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND DOWN TO THE GROUND...AND THE DRIVER SIDE IS CAVED IN ALSO, AND THIS AIRBAG COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE HEAD INJURY, AND BRUISING DOWN BY THE STEERING WHEEL. BUT THE AIRBAG FAILED !!!!*AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 13, 2001 · crash

“THIS CAR HAS BEEN PAMPERED YET CONTINUES TO BREAK AND BE QUITE COSTLY TO MAINTAIN. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THEY WERE DEPENDABLE AND CHEAP TO MAINTAIN. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANY HONDA PRODUCT TO ANYONE. IT HAS PUT ME IN MAJOR DEBT. I AM VERY…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 13, 1997

“1992 HONDA PRELUDE, LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT AND STRIKING THE CENTER DIVIDER WALL AND COMING TO REST ON THE INSIDE BERM. *BF (OHIO TRAAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0284-90). *JB ”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 17, 2010 · crash

“WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH WHEN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THEN, VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SERVICE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT DISTRIBUTOR HAD FAILED & BEARINGS WERE MELTED. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 6, 2000

“WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH WHEN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THEN, VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SERVICE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT DISTRIBUTOR HAD FAILED & BEARINGS WERE MELTED. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 6, 2000

1992 Honda Prelude — common questions

Is the 1992 Honda Prelude reliable?

The record is thin — 26 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1992 Prelude problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (8 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints), tires & wheels (4 complaints).

Does the 1992 Honda Prelude have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Honda Prelude. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1992 Honda Prelude under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1992 compare to other Prelude years?

What are the most common 1992 Honda Prelude problems?

Does the 1992 Honda Prelude have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1992 Honda Prelude — common questions

Is the 1992 Honda Prelude reliable?

What are the most common 1992 Prelude problems?

Does the 1992 Honda Prelude have recalls?

Is the 1992 Honda Prelude under NHTSA investigation?

Which Honda Prelude years should you avoid?

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