RoadVitals

1986 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.
12
Latest Sep 26, 2001
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.
2
Latest May 24, 1995
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.
1
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 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Honda Prelude, most frequently naming the fuel system, seat belts and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; 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 system650.0%
  • Seat belts325.0%
  • Engine216.7%
  • Interior & seats18.3%

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

2 campaigns 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
95V103001

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

May 24, 1995
3,700,000 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.View 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

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA89005ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL SYSTEM VENTING

Opened Nov 16, 1988
Closed Nov 30, 1989

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VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 12
Fuel system
Filed Sep 26, 2001

THIS DEFECT IS COVERED BY NHTSA CAMAIGN ID 92V028001 AND IS A FIRE HAZARD. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN JAPAN AND AS SUCH DEALERS WILL NOT REPAIR AT NO CHARGE. THE WARRANTY STATES "EXCEPT AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW, THIS VEHICLE HAS NO WARRANTY IN THE 50 UNITED STATES, D.C., PUERTO RICO OR THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS." MY QUESTION: IS THIS RECALL REQUIRED BY U.S. LAW AND THEREFORE SHOULD BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE? IF SO HOW DO I PROCEED?*AK

NHTSA ID
752602
Fuel system
Filed Jun 20, 2001

HONDA RECALLED THIS CAR IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK FILLER PIPE DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION, HOWEVER, THE SURROUNDING MOUNTS AND THE FILL PIPE BOWL ON THE FILLER DOOR ARE ALSO EXCESSIVELY CORRODED, AND ARE FAILING TO HOLD THE FILLER PIPE IN PLACE, AND ALLOW EXCESSIVE FUMES TO BUILD UP WITHIN THE CAR. THE STAMPED METAL BOWL SURROUNDING THE FILLER PIPE AT THE GAS DOOR HAS FAILED, AND SHOULD BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE FILLER PIPE THAT WAS RECALLED. *AK

NHTSA ID
747176
Incident
Jun 14, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Aug 5, 1999

VEHICLE LEAKING FUEL FROM TANK AFTER RECALL REPAIRS MADE FOR THAT SYSTEM CAUSING LOWER MILAGE PER TANK. NLM

NHTSA ID
547824
Fuel system
Filed Jul 3, 1999

VEHICLE FUEL SYSTEM EXPERIENCED FAILURE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE AND AFTER RECALL REPAIR (92V028001). *YC

NHTSA ID
547637
Incident
Jul 3, 1999
Fuel system
Filed Mar 5, 1999

RECALL 92V028001; FUEL FILLER AND CAP RUSTED THROUGH WHICH MAY CAUSE A FUEL LEAK AND A FIRE. THERE IS A RECALL, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS MADE ACCORDING TO CANADIAN STANDARDS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
835497
Incident
Dec 1, 1998
Engine
Filed Dec 4, 1998

ENGINE DOES NOT IDLE VERY WELL WHEN WARM OR VERY COLD. CAR SEEMS TO LOSS POWER ON THE FREEWAY. CAR TENDS TO OVEHEAT AFTER LONG DRIVING STINTS. FAN DOES NOT GO ON WHEN ENGINE IS OVER HEATING.

NHTSA ID
701107
Engine
Filed May 17, 1998

VEHICLE STOP RUNNING/LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
535669
Fuel system
Filed Sep 5, 1996

DEFECT IN FUEL FILLER PIPES--CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE CORROSION. OWNER WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL, BEING THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE HONDA ACCORD OF THE SAME YEAR FOR THE SAME DEFECT.

NHTSA ID
508347

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
1986Viewing122146.0
1985710—
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.