RoadVitals

1985 Honda Prelude

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
7
Latest Oct 7, 1999
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Apr 15, 1993
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Honda Prelude, most frequently naming the fuel system, heating & air conditioning and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system440.0%
  • Heating & air conditioning110.0%
  • Electrical110.0%
  • Brakes110.0%
  • Interior & seats110.0%
  • Seat belts110.0%
  • Visibility110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
92V028001

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Apr 15, 1993
920,583 units potentially affected
The defect: IF THE PLASTIC COATING OF THE FUEL FILLER AND/OR BREATHER PIPE IS DAMAGED, SALT WATER MAY ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE PLASTIC COATING AND THE STEEL PIPES, AND THE ACCUMULATION COULD CAUSE CORROSION WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY RUST THROUGH THE AFFECTED PIPES, ALLOWING GASOLINE FUMES AND FUEL TO LEAK.
The risk: GASOLINE FUMES AND/OR FUEL LEAKAGE THROUGH THE FILLER ORBREATHER PIPES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The remedy: REPAIRS WILL BE MADE TO VEHICLES WITH CORRODED FILLER OR BREATHER PIPES.
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical+1 more
Filed Oct 7, 1999

NO SUMMARY.

NHTSA ID
712964
Incident
Nov 5, 1994
Fuel system
Filed Feb 23, 1999

GAS FUMES IS LEAKING OUT FROM THE FILLER PIPE, COMING INTO THE TRUCK AREA OF THE VEHICLE AND THEN INTO THE VEHICLE. THE FILLER PIPE WAS UNDER RECALL IN 1993, RECALL # 92V028001; FUEL: FUEL SYSTEMS, THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. REPORT GIVEN BY FATHER, RON CUDDIE. *AK

NHTSA ID
835161
Incident
Jan 23, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Jan 24, 1999

THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK MOST OF THE TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ID
702533
Incident
Dec 12, 1998
Visibility
Filed Jul 27, 1998

REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER SWITCH FAILS TO WORK, IT DOES NOT STAY WHEN DEPRESSED.

NHTSA ID
539003
Incident
Jul 1, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Aug 21, 1997

FUEL TANK FILLER NECK/PIPE CORRODED. *AK

NHTSA ID
518359
Incident
Jan 1, 1997
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 4, 1996

THE DRIVER'S SEATBACK RECLINING MECHANISM HAS BROKEN TWO TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ID
982329
Incident
Mar 21, 1996
Fuel system
Filed Feb 16, 1995

FUEL PIPE LEAK. *AK

NHTSA ID
489446
Incident
Feb 28, 1994

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

HON950405C

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY REPORT FOR THE 1983-87 PRELUDE FUEL FILLER PIPE RECALL. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Honda Prelude by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2006010—
2005010—
2004010—
2003010—
2002010—
2001213156.1
2000133151.1
1999314151.1
1998695157.9
1997665152.3
1996460—
1995650—
1994950—
1993115156.7
1992225267.5
1991151049.9
1990410—
1989211038.2
1988356057.6
1987142158.0
1986122146.0
1985Viewing710—
1984510—
1983110—
1981210—
1980010—
1979010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.