RoadVitals

1993 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.
11
Latest Jan 21, 2004
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.
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.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Honda Prelude, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and electrical categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 17 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

  • Airbags323.1%
  • Engine215.4%
  • Electrical215.4%
  • Tires & wheels215.4%
  • Body & structure17.7%
  • Powertrain (other)17.7%
  • Brakes17.7%
  • Transmission17.7%

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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 11
Body & structure
Filed Jan 21, 2004

ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO THE CLEAR COAT ON MY 1993 HONDA PRELUDE STARTED PEELING OFF THE TRUNK AND ROOF OF MY CAR. THE HOOD DID NOT PEEL BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED AND REPLACED ABOUT 1 YEAR PRIOR. *AK

NHTSA ID
10054621
Incident
Jul 15, 2002
Mileage
115,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 1, 2003

THE METAL SPRING HOLDER ON THE OEM CLUTCH SNAPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING, WHICH MADE SHIFTING NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AND CAUSED UNNECESSARY AND EXTREMELY DAMAGING WEAR ON THE TRANSMISSION. *TT

NHTSA ID
10020826
Incident
Feb 28, 2003
Mileage
133,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 13, 2002

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE BALANCE SHAFT BLEW CAUSING OIL TO LEAK. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR

NHTSA ID
8022628
Incident
Oct 25, 2002
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 6, 2002

I WAS TRAVELING EAST-BOUND ALONG I-70 ABOUT 4 P.M. CST WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE TIRE WAS FOUND TO STILL BE INFLATED WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE THE TIRE. UPON TAKING THE CAR TO GET THE TIRES REPLACED, THE DELAMINATED TIRE WAS LOOKED AT AND THE TIRE WAS FOUND TO HAVE HELD A PRESSURE OF 28 PSI. I DID NOT KNOW THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TIRE UNTIL THE ROAD SUDDENLY BECAME BUMPY AND THE TIRE DELAMINATED. I BELIEVED THAT THE TIRE HAD EXPLODED, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. THE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY GONE AND THE BELT UNDERNEATH WAS COMPLETELY SMOOTH. WHEN THE TIRE DELAMINATION, THE CAR FISH-TAILED WILDLY, AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT REAR OF THE CAR WAS EXTENSIVE - $2200. THERE WERE TIRE MARKS ALL OVER THE RIGHT REAR OF THE CAR. THERE WERE EVEN TIRE MARKS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. IF I HAD NOT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR, I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED. DT

NHTSA ID
769339
Incident
Sep 1, 2002
Electrical
Filed Dec 16, 2000

THEY NEED TO BE RECALLS ALL DISTRIBUTOR FOR HONDA. *AK

NHTSA ID
737884
Incident
Dec 15, 2000
Airbags
Filed Jul 14, 2000
1 injury reported

MY SON PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY AND AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT A COLLISION. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT INJURED HIS LEFT HAND. AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, HE HAD IT INSPECTED BY A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO ACCUSED HIM OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT. APPOXIMATELY JUNE OF 1999, WHILE CHANGING A TIRE THE CAR SLIPPED OFF THE JACK CAUSING SLIGHT DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE FENDER AND UNDERCARRIAGE. WHY WOULD THE AIRBAG DEPLOY A YEAR LATER?

NHTSA ID
725436
Incident
Jun 20, 2000
Engine
Filed Jul 12, 2000

BOUGHT VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED, AND WAS TOLD THAT OIL DRAIN PLUG ON THE ENGINE OIL PAN WILL BE STRIPPED. DESIGN DEFECT, OIL PANS ARE MADE OUT OF A SOFT METAL WHICH CAUSES THE THREADS TO STRIP OUT PREMATURELY. *AK

NHTSA ID
865298
Incident
Jul 12, 2000
Electrical
Filed Dec 10, 1998

THE IGNITION FAILED I WAS DRIVING 65MPH AND THE CAR DIED WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ID
701276
Incident
Apr 5, 1998

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

010402

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SUBJECT REGARDING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS THAT THE ENGINE HESITATES BRIEFLY WHEN ACCELERATING. *TT

302

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF A BRIEF HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGH ENGINE SPEEDS. *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

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—
1993Viewing115156.7
1992225267.5
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.