Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
35
Latest Apr 9, 2007
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.
6
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Feb 16, 1995
What this page shows
Our database holds 35 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Honda Prelude. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 35 · page 1 of 2
Steering
Filed Apr 9, 2007
I HAVE A 1988 HONDA PRELUDE. THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE HAS A LEAK AT THE CONNECTION RIGHT ABOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA TO SEE IF THE RECALL HAD BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF, AND THEY STATED THAT IT HAD. I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE. THIS POSED A SERIOUS HAZARD TO PROPERTY, AND POSSIBLY LIFE IF THE FLUID LEAKED TOO BADLY AND CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. I DID NOT THINK THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. THIS WAS DUE TO THE DESIGN AND PLACEMENT OF THE LINE. THE REPLACEMENTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. WAS THERE ANY FOLLOUP ON THIS MATTER? IT SEEMED AS THOUGH MANY MEMBER OF A GROUP I BELONG TO FOR THE HONDA PRELUDE 1988-1991 HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME HAVE REPORTED FIRES DUE TO THE LEAK. *AK
NHTSA ID
10187386
Incident
Mar 28, 2007
Mileage
195,430 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 5, 2007
I [XXX] AND [XXX], OWN A 1988 HONDA PRELUDE SI 4WS. VEHICLE VIN: [XXX]. AT THE ENDING WEEK OF DECEMBER WHILE DRIVING IT STARTED TO SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD AREA AND LACK OF CONTROL ON POWER STEERING OCCURRED. WENT TO LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP CASON HONDA LOCATED AT 1445 E.223RD ST.CARSON, CA 90745 310-834-4773 ON 12/22/06, LISA RODRIGUEZ ASSIST ME WITH MY VEHICLE CONCERNS. SHE PERFORMED A VIN STATUS INQUIRY IT STATED THE RECALL 88-014 C WAS COMPLETED ALREADY. SO I CONTACT AMERICAN HONDA WARRANTY ASSISTANCE HELP LINE AT 800-999-1009. SPOKE WITH JUDITH ON 12/28/06 RECEIVED CASE NUMBER N012006-12-2800464. SHE STATED THE RECALL WITH COMPLETE ON MAY 18, 1990. JUDITH, ADVISED THAT I HAVE DEALERSHIP INSPECT SIXTH DIGIT TO SEE IF RECALL PUNCH WAS ABOVE THE NUMBER AND INSPECT POWER STEERING HOSE MATERIAL TYPE. AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALERSHIP STATES RECALL AND SIXTH DIGIT HASN'T BEEN COMPLETE. LISA RODRIGUEZ CONTACTED HONDA WARRANTY CLAIM REPRESENTATIVE MANAGER NAMED GILBERTO WILSON ON 3:23 ON 1/3/07 TOLD, THAT THE RECALL 88-014 WAS NEVER COMPLETED ON THIS 1988 PRELUDE. GILBERTO CONTACTED MRS. RODRIGUEZ AT CARSON HONDA ON 1/4/07 ,DUE TO VIN STATUS INQUIRY SHOWS BEING COMPLETED AND MILEAGE ON VEHICLE AMERICAN HONDA CAN NOT ASSIST [XXX] IN REPLACEMENT OF HIGH PRESSURE STEERING HOSE. THIS RECALL 88-014 GOES UNDER THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT. *NM UPDATED 07/11/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ID
10177829
Incident
Dec 27, 2006
Mileage
192,638 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 23, 2004
FUEL FILLER PIPE RUSTED . AS A RESULT, WHEN DRIVING THE PIPE LEAKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ID
10089416
Incident
Aug 20, 2004
Mileage
180,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 11, 2002
VEHICLE HAD POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND SMOKING AS PER NHTSA RECALL # 88V059000. CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA WHO INFORMED ME THAT THIS RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO VIN ([XXX]).*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ID
759224
Incident
Jun 1, 2001
Fuel system
Filed May 31, 2001
THIS SPECIFIC LINE HAS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT SMOKING, HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REPLACED AS OF MAY 2001, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES WITH LEAKING FLUID. *AK
NHTSA ID
746210
Incident
Jul 1, 2000
Steering
Filed Mar 27, 2001
POWER STEERING HOSE IS LEAKING FLUID ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
NHTSA ID
884272
Incident
Mar 23, 2001
ElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 8, 2000
Fire reported
THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY WAS RECALLED IN 1988 YET THE ORIG. OWNER DID NOT RECIEVE RECALL NOTICE . NOW THIS FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE DEFECT, CONFIRMED BY MY MECHANIC AND COSTING ME APPROX. 1500.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR WITH THE FIRE DAMAGE. HOPEFULLY HONDA WILL REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST. I HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION AND RECEIPTS ALONG WITH PHOTO'S TOO.
NHTSA ID
719855
Incident
Jan 29, 2000
Steering
Filed Nov 23, 1999
POWER STEERING SUPPLY HOSE HAS DEVELOPED A FLUID LEAK, CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD. *AK
NHTSA ID
853279
Steering
Filed Nov 18, 1999
DUE TO DEFECTIVE HOSE ,POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. RECALL 88V05900 WAS ISSUED, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
NHTSA ID
853125
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 23, 1999
REAR LIGHT SEALS LEAKING CAUSING WATER TO RUN OFF THE WIRES AND INTO THE TRUNK AS WELL AS THE BACK SEAT AND CARPET.
NHTSA ID
544531
Incident
Dec 6, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Nov 23, 1998
GAS FILLER TUBE RUSTED OUT. 83-87 PRELUDES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAME DEFECT. WHY NOT MINE? PLEASE ADVISE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I LOSE AN AWFULLY LOT OF GAS ON THE FILLING STATION DRIVE WHICH COULD CATCH FIRE. I WOULD LIKE TO FIX THIS BUT DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.
NHTSA ID
700854
Fuel system
Filed Dec 12, 1997
1 injury reported
FUEL SYSTEM LEAK DUE TO DEFECTIVE GAS FILLER NECK.
NHTSA ID
526860
Incident
Dec 1, 1997
Steering
Filed Nov 10, 1997
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE IS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ID
818749
Seat belts
Filed Sep 10, 1997
RECALL # 95V103001, CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN OCTOBER OF 97. NO PROBLEM WITH BUCKLE AT THAT TIME. THE BUCKLE HAS BEEN BROKEN SINCE MAY OF 97. CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO GET RECALL WORK PERFORMED BECAUSE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER WAS DELAYING THE REPAIR CLAIMING PARTS HAD NOT COME IN. THE CONSUMER ALSO MENTIONED THAT THIS DEALERS CHARGES WERE MUCH MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT OF OTHER DEALERS IN THE AREA. *YH
NHTSA ID
816232
Incident
Sep 10, 1997
Steering
Filed Jun 13, 1997
THE POWER STEERING HOSE IS LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE VERY HOT MANIFOLD AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE. *AK
NHTSA ID
813084
Incident
Jun 10, 1997
Engine
Filed Dec 17, 1996
Fire reported
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
NHTSA ID
513008
Incident
May 5, 1995
Steering
Filed Dec 17, 1996
POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKS FLUID INTO HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING SMOKE.
DRIVER'S SHOULDER/LAP BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AS INTENDED; WHEN UNBUCKLED, DOES NOT REWIND, SO MUCH SLACK, OCCUPANT NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED. TT
NHTSA ID
979328
Incident
May 15, 1995
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 1, 1996
WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON, THERE ARE NO DASH LIGHTS/REAR DRIVING LIGHTS. *DSH
NHTSA ID
501343
Incident
Dec 1, 1995
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 6, 1995
Crash reported
THE ACCELERATOR PAD MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA ID
974591
Incident
Oct 15, 1995
Steering
Filed Oct 30, 1995
88V05900 CAR WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL FROM PREVIOUS OWNER, PRESENT OWNER STILL HAVING SAME PROBLEM. TT
NHTSA ID
974110
Incident
Oct 11, 1995
Seat belts
Filed Oct 6, 1995
Crash reported1 injury reported
UPON IMPACT RIGHT FRONT, PASSENGER SEAT BELT TIGHTENED RESULTING IN CHEST CONTUSION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA ID
973098
Incident
Sep 22, 1995
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.
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