VehicleVerdict

1993 Honda Prelude problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 1993 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.

14

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Prelude years?

Prelude NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 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, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Prelude years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Honda Prelude problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags321%
Electrical System214%
Engine214%
Transmission214%
Body & Structure214%
Tires & Wheels214%
Brakes17%

Does the 1993 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.

“MY SON PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY AND AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A COLLISION. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT INJURED HIS LEFT HAND. AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, HE HAD IT INSPECTED BY A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO ACCUSED HIM OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT. APPOXIMATELY JUNE OF 1999, WHILE CHANGING A TIRE THE CAR SLIPPED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 20, 2000

“ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO THE CLEAR COAT ON MY 1993 HONDA PRELUDE STARTED PEELING OFF THE TRUNK AND ROOF OF MY CAR. THE HOOD DID NOT PEEL BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED AND REPLACED ABOUT 1 YEAR PRIOR. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 15, 2002

“THE METAL SPRING HOLDER ON THE OEM CLUTCH SNAPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING, WHICH MADE SHIFTING NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AND CAUSED UNNECESSARY AND EXTREMELY DAMAGING WEAR ON THE TRANSMISSION. *TT ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 28, 2003

“I WAS TRAVELING EAST-BOUND ALONG I-70 ABOUT 4 P.M. CST WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE TIRE WAS FOUND TO STILL BE INFLATED WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE THE TIRE. UPON TAKING THE CAR TO GET THE TIRES REPLACED, THE DELAMINATED TIRE WAS LOOKED AT AND THE TIRE WAS FOUND TO HAVE HELD A PRESSURE OF 28 PSI. I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 1, 2002

1993 Honda Prelude — common questions

Is the 1993 Honda Prelude reliable?

The record is thin — 14 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 1993 Prelude problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (3 complaints), transmission (2 complaints), engine (2 complaints).

Does the 1993 Honda Prelude have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Honda Prelude. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1993 Honda Prelude under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation 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.

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.