RoadVitals

1987 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.
14
Latest Jun 28, 2010
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.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Honda Prelude, most frequently naming the fuel system, seat belts and tires & wheels 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 system529.4%
  • Seat belts317.6%
  • Tires & wheels211.8%
  • Exterior lighting211.8%
  • Electrical15.9%
  • Brakes15.9%
  • Driver assistance15.9%
  • Steering15.9%

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 14
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 28, 2010

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED CAR IN JANUARY OF 2010. IT HAD INSTALLED ON IT, A SET OF FOUR DOUGLAS 185/70R/13 TIRES WITH THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF 0408 ON THE SIDEWALLS, AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER STATED THEY WERE ONLY ABOUT 2 MONTHS OLD (BOUGHT AT WAL MART). THEY ARE MODELED XTRA TRAC AW. WELL ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, I HAD ONE COMPLETELY BLOW OUT DUE TO SIDEWALL FAILURE. THIS BLOW OUT DAMAGED PRETTY MUCH THE ENTIRE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY CAR. I HAD TO REPLACE MY WHEEL BEARING, CV JOINT, AND A BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS I'M NOT SURE ABOUT ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE AREA. NOW THE OTHER THREE TIRES ARE BULGING ON THE SIDEWALLS, AND THE TIRES ONLY HAVE ABOUT 10,000 MILES ON THEM. WAL MART WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME, SINCE I DO NOT HAVE A RECEIPT. HOWEVER IF YOU GOOGLE THESE TIRES, THERE ARE PAGES UPON PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SIDEWALL FAILURE ON THESE TIRES. SOMETIMES EVEN JUST WITHIN A MONTH OF USE. I WAS ONLY CURIOUS IF THERE HAPPENS TO BE A RECALL ON THE PRESENT SET OF DOUGLAS TIRES, OR IF IT IS ONLY THE RECALL IN 1994. IF THERE IS NOT, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE ONE. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE A SET OF FOUR TIRES AFTER ONLY 10,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10340539
Incident
Jun 28, 2010
Electrical
Filed May 1, 2006

IGNITION SWITCH - THE VEHICLE WILL START BUT WHEN THE KEY IS RELEASED FROM START THE ENGINE DIES. THIS PROBLEM MAY BE REPEATED OR WILL AGAIN START WORKING CORRECTLY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10156536
Incident
May 1, 2006
Mileage
133,133 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 26, 2002

THE VEHICLE'S OIL PAN PLUG STRIPPED WHENEVER THE OIL WAS CHANGED. *TT *NM

NHTSA ID
566263
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Seat belts
Filed Dec 28, 2001
1 injury reported

REAR RESTAINT BELT IS PERMANENTLY RETRACTED AND LOCKED, I AM A MOTHER OF TWIN TODDLERS AND REQUIRE THE USE USE OF BOTH REAR SEATBELTS IN ORDER TO SECURE THEIR SAFTEY SEATS PROPERLY. MEANWHILE I'VE TRIED TO SECURE IT WITH THE MIDDLE LAP BELT BUT IT HAS FAILED AT PROVIDING ANY KIND OF RESRAINT WHEN I TAKE A SHARP TURN IT TIPS OVER AND MY DAUGTERS HAVE BEEN INJURED A FEW TIMES OVER THIS DEFECT. I AM AFRAID IF I AM TO GET IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT THIS MIGHT FAIL TO SAVE THEIR LIVES. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE WHEATHER CONDITIONS ARE DANGEROUS FOR DRIVING AT THIS TIME AND I AM VERY WORRIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
756140
Incident
Dec 1, 2001
BrakesFuel systemTires & wheels
Filed May 31, 2000

CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN GOOD FAITH. WHILE DRIVING SHE NOTICED A FUEL SMELL. CONSUMER DIDN'T KNOW FROM WHERE SMELL WAS COMING AT THAT TIME. BRAKES WERE 75% FRONT AND REAR. TIRES WERE 50% THREAD AND MIXMATCHED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAS A DAMAGE FROM PREVIOUS MAJOR ACCIDENT AND FUEL TAND WAS REPLACED INCORRECTLY. *YH

NHTSA ID
862837
Incident
Apr 28, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Mar 2, 2000
Fire reported

SMELLS LIKE GAS FUMES. *AK

NHTSA ID
719567
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Jun 5, 1999
Crash reported

FROM DAY ONE- IDLE FLUCTUATION WITH TONS OF DOCUMENTATION AND DENIAL TO PROBLEM BY DEALER & REPRESENTATIVE-FIRST DAY CAR WAS PURCHASED THERE WAS A CODE 12. ALL 4 FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED & EGR TUBES CLEANED. LIVED WITH UNRESOLVED PROBLEM ALL THESE YEARS, BUT NOW I HAVE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND AM FRIGTHENED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THE CAR. I ALMOST KILLED SOMEONE. *AK

NHTSA ID
707245
Incident
Dec 10, 1996
Seat belts
Filed Feb 26, 1998

SEAT BELTS DO NOT FIT PROPERLY.

NHTSA ID
531489
Incident
Jan 1, 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
1987Viewing142158.0
1986122146.0
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.