RoadVitals

1992 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.
22
Latest Aug 6, 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.
5
Latest Aug 11, 2008
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.
2
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.
7
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 22 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Honda Prelude, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and tires & wheels categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 15 manufacturer communications are 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

  • Airbags834.8%
  • Electrical521.7%
  • Tires & wheels313.0%
  • Transmission28.7%
  • Powertrain (other)14.3%
  • Visibility14.3%
  • Heating & air conditioning14.3%
  • Driver assistance14.3%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
08E050000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 11, 2008
1,921 units potentially affected
The 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."
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
K2 MOTOR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
06E060000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Jun 29, 2006
87,745 units potentially affected
The 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."
The risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
The 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.
AAI MOTORSPORTS USA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
06E049000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

May 24, 2006
27,176 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The 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.
CK MOTORSPORT, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA95024ClosedEngineering Analysis

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS

Opened Aug 31, 1995
Closed Aug 30, 1996

AIR BAG CAN DEPLOY WITHOUT VEHICLE CRASH

AIR BAGS
PE93060ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

4WHL STEERING SENSOR FAILS

Opened Jun 22, 1993
Closed Oct 29, 1993

There is no summary currently available

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 22
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 6, 2010

I HAVE A RECENTLY ACQUIRED 1992 HONDA PRELUDE WITH TOYO TIRES ON IT. THE CAR IS NOT BEING DRIVEN AND EXCEPT FOR TWO TRIPS TO MVD TO GET IT REGISTERED IT REMAINS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THREE WEEKS AGO THE RIGHT REAR TIRE APPARENTLY EXPLODE AND THE TREADS WERE SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CASING. TWO DAYS AGO I HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND FOUND THAT THE TIRE HAD EXPLODED AND WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER HEARD OF A TIRE FAILING WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF QUITE AN ACCIDENT AT 65 MPH ON A CROWDED EXPRESSWAY. IS ANYONE INTERESTED OR SHALL I WAIT FOR THE OTHER THREE TO EXPLODE? I HAVE NO INTENTION OF DRIVING THE CAR WITH THESE TIRES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10347796
Incident
Jul 15, 2010
Mileage
211,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 23, 2010
Crash reported

1992 HONDA PRELUDE, LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT AND STRIKING THE CENTER DIVIDER WALL AND COMING TO REST ON THE INSIDE BERM. *BF (OHIO TRAAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0284-90). *JB

NHTSA ID
10340093
Incident
May 17, 2010
Airbags
Filed Dec 2, 2008

AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10250460
Incident
Nov 27, 2008
Mileage
150,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 7, 2008

WHILE DRIVING 65MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOUD POPPING NOISE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, THERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED A FAILED TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230198
Incident
May 21, 2008
Mileage
109,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 20, 2006

MY IGNITION SWITCH JUST STARTED NOT TO LONG AGO TO FAIL ON ME. STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS LIKE A WEEK AGO NOTICING MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERING. I CHECKED MY FUSES AND THEY WERE ALL OK. TWO DAYS LATER MY CAR TURNED ON AND TURNED OFF WHEN I WENT TO START IT. TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND KEPT RUNNING. FOR FIVE DAYS EVERYTHING WAS OKAY BUT JUST NOTICED THAT MY LIGHTS WERE STILL KIND OF FLICKERING (DASH). TWO DAYS AGO IT DIDN'T WANT TO STAY ON. IN THE SECOND POSITION OF MY IGNITION, MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS THAT WILL NORMALLY COME ON DIDN'T AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR IT WOULD START FINE BUT WOULDN'T STAY ONE IN THE SECOND POSITION OF THE IGNITION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10176626
Incident
Dec 10, 2006
Mileage
196,750 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 22, 2002
1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CAUSE UNKNONWN. *AK CONSUMER SUFFERED INURIES.*YH

NHTSA ID
8016987
Incident
Aug 1, 2002
Engine
Filed Jul 31, 2002

VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTISIDE OF CONSUMER'S HOME, AND HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
8015276
Incident
Jun 19, 2002
Airbags
Filed Feb 15, 2001
Crash reported1 injury reported

THIS CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED! IT IS SMASHED ALL IN THE FRONT, THE BACK IS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND DOWN TO THE GROUND...AND THE DRIVER SIDE IS CAVED IN ALSO, AND THIS AIRBAG COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE HEAD INJURY, AND BRUISING DOWN BY THE STEERING WHEEL. BUT THE AIRBAG FAILED !!!!*AK

NHTSA ID
740922
Incident
Feb 13, 2001

Manufacturer communications

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

110102

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

USE '94 ACCORD SERVICE MANUAL TO ADJUST TIMING BELT TENSION. *TT

1002

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

TIMING BELT ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE. HONDA OCTOBER TECH LINE INFORMATION. *TT

5905

SUSPENSION:FRONT

CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF A TWANG NOISE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SPRING CONTACT. *SLC

01070

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

SUBJECT REGARDING FIFTH GEAR GRINDS DURING UPSHIFT. *ET

01070

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

SUBJECT REGARDING PARTS TO CORRECT 5TH GEAR GRINDING. *ET

95057

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN SHIFTED INTO 5TH GEAR. *TT

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
1992Viewing225267.5
1991151049.9
1990410—
1989211038.2
1988356057.6
1987142158.0
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.