The Honda Prelude has 16 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1981–2001. On average a defect was admitted 8.31 years after the car was built, the slowest took 16 years. The most recalled system is Exterior Lighting (5 campaigns). Owners also filed 288 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Honda Prelude
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Exterior Lighting 5 Read
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash
Fix. 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
What's wrong. Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain 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
Risk. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning
Fix. Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on april 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash
Fix. 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
Electrical System 2 Read
What's wrong. On certain passenger vehicles, the interlock operation of the ignition switch may not function properly, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to park
Risk. If the driver does not shift to park before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur
Fix. Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that confirms interlock function. Vehicles will be updated with a redesigned interlock lever free of charge. The recall began on march 7, 2005. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238
What's wrong. On certain passenger vehicles, the interlock operation of the ignition switch may not function properly, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to park
Risk. If the driver does not shift to park before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur
Fix. Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that confirms interlock function. Vehicles will be updated with a redesigned interlock lever free of charge. The recall began on march 7, 2005. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238
What's wrong. On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started
Risk. Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash
Fix. Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began june 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238
Vehicle Speed Control 2 Read
What's wrong. The accelerator pedal stopper may be bent when excessive downward force is applied after pedal has contacted the stopper
Risk. This could result in loss of accelerator control shouldpedal be caught and held down by bent stopper, which could cause an accident
Fix. Install a support to prevent stopper from bending
What's wrong. A small amount of coolant seepage may occur, and eventually residue may accumulate on the throttle valve
Risk. Residue may cause throttle valve return-to-idle speed tobe slower than normal when accelerator pedal is released
Fix. Replace throttle body assembly
Suspension 1 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain vehicles were manufactured with ball joints that can prematurely wear out and, in the worse case, the ball joint would separate causing the front suspension to collapse
Risk. This condition would result in vehicle deceleration and a sudden loss of power. Also steering controllability would be reduced
Fix. Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain vehicles were manufactured with ball joints that can prematurely wear out and, in the worse case, the ball joint would separate causing the front suspension to collapse
Risk. This condition would result in vehicle deceleration and a sudden loss of power. Also steering controllability would be reduced
Fix. Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain vehicles were manufactured with ball joints that can prematurely wear out and, in the worse case, the ball joint would separate causing the front suspension to collapse
Risk. This condition would result in vehicle deceleration and a sudden loss of power. Also steering controllability would be reduced
Fix. Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints
Seat Belts 1 Read
What's wrong. 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
Risk. The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash
Fix. 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…
What's wrong. 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
Risk. The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash
Fix. 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…
What's wrong. 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
Risk. The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash
Fix. 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…
Seats 1 Read
What's wrong. The rear inboard seat anchorage bracket for the front seats may not withstand the force required by fmvss 207
Risk. Bracket failure could result in seat becoming loose;vehicles would not comply with fmvss 207
Fix. Install a reinforcing plate to rear inboard seat anchorage bracket for each front seat
Steering 1 Read
What's wrong. Vibration and high underhood temperatures could cause power steering supply hose at the connector clamp seal to develop a fluid leak
Risk. If the fluid contacts the hot exhaust manifold, it maycause smoke and possibly an underhood fire
Fix. Install an improved power steering supply hose assembly
Equipment 1 Read
What's wrong. Owners manual information required by fmvss 210, sections 6a and 6b was omitted from the manual
Risk. Vehicles manual information does not comply with fmvss210
Fix. Upgrade existing manuals by inserting adhesive backed correction pages
Fuel System, Gasoline 1 Read
What's wrong. 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
Risk. Gasoline fumes and/or fuel leakage through the filler orbreather pipes could result in a fire when exposed to a source of ignition
Fix. Repairs will be made to vehicles with corroded filler or breather pipes
What's wrong. 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
Risk. Gasoline fumes and/or fuel leakage through the filler orbreather pipes could result in a fire when exposed to a source of ignition
Fix. Repairs will be made to vehicles with corroded filler or breather pipes
What's wrong. 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
Risk. Gasoline fumes and/or fuel leakage through the filler orbreather pipes could result in a fire when exposed to a source of ignition
Fix. Repairs will be made to vehicles with corroded filler or breather pipes
Structure 1 Read
What's wrong. The springs are held up by a metal support around each shock absorber. Vehicles driven regularly in areas where roads are salted during wintertime are subject to rusting of these supports. Rusting may eventually allow the spring to break through the support
Fix. The spring supports and shocks will be inspected; depending on condition, the components will be rustproofed or replaced, if necessary
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 8.31 years |
| Slowest campaign | 16 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 82% |
| Campaigns on record | 16 |
Which Prelude years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Electrical System | |
| 2000 | Electrical System | |
| 1999 | Electrical System | |
| 1998 | Electrical System | |
| 1997 | Electrical System | |
| 1996 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1995 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1994 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1993 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1992 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1991 | Seat Belts | |
| 1990 | Seat Belts | |
| 1989 | Seat Belts | |
| 1988 | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 1987 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1986 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1985 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1984 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1983 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1981 | Structure |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
Go deeper
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Honda Prelude have?
16 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1981–2001. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my Prelude still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 8.31 years, and the slowest campaign came 16 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.