The most-reported Prelude run is JHMBB6247VC (1997 builds) with 9 complaints, 6× the typical run. Power train problems make up 30% of reports; 1998 is the worst model year at 2.1 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for Prelude model years 1981–2001.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Honda Prelude has 194 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 9% of every Prelude complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JHMBB6247VC•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| JHMBB6242WC•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| JHMBB6249WC•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| JHMBA4130KC•••••• | 1989 | — | — | |
| JHMBB6241VC•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| JHMBB6246XC•••••• | 1999 | — | — | |
| JHMBB6249XC•••••• | 1999 | — | — | |
| JHMBB7231GC•••••• | 1986 | — | — | |
| JHMBB6247WC•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| JHMBB6242VC•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| JHMBB6246VC•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| JHMAB5224FC•••••• | 1985 | — | — |
Each of the other 182 Prelude runs has 3 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 18 Prelude VINs so far, most often 2026, 2000, 2001 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Honda Prelude the gap between build years is 2.1×: a 1998 car draws 2.1 complaints per run, a 1987 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 17 | 15 | 3 | |
| 2000 | 11 | 8 | 1 | |
| 1999 | 28 | 16 | 1 | |
| 1998 | 50 | 24 | 4 | |
| 1997 | 50 | 25 | 2 | |
| 1995 | 5 | 4 | 2 | |
| 1994 | 7 | 7 | 1 | |
| 1993 | 9 | 8 | 1 | |
| 1992 | 14 | 11 | 4 | |
| 1991 | 13 | 13 | 2 | |
| 1989 | 17 | 12 | — | |
| 1988 | 29 | 22 | 1 | |
| 1987 | 10 | 10 | 1 | |
| 1986 | 11 | 7 | — | |
| 1985 | 7 | 5 | — |
Heaviest year here is 1998 at 2.1 complaints per run; lightest is 1987 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 30% of everything Honda Prelude owners report: Power Train, 80 of 288 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 3 | — | |
| Electrical System | — | 4 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 3 | |
| Steering | — | 1 | |
| Fuel System | 1 | 2 | |
| Gasoline | 1 | 2 | |
| Seat Belts | 3 | — | |
| Air Bags | 13 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 16 recall campaigns on the Honda Prelude; the 6 below cover build years 1986 to 2001. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 06E060000 | Exterior Lighting | 1992–2001 |
| 06E026000 | Exterior Lighting | 1992–2001 |
| 95V103001 | Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly | 1986–1991 |
| 05V025000 | Electrical System:ignition:switch | 1997–2001 |
| 06E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1992–1996 |
| 06E049000 | Exterior Lighting | 1992–1996 |
The Prelude against its rivals
The Prelude draws 1.5 complaints per production run; the Nissan Sentra 5.1. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Prelude | 288 | 194 | 8% | |
| Nissan Sentra | 5,132 | 1,012 | 9.4% |
How serious were they
Of the 288 reports on the Honda Prelude, 8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Honda Prelude | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 288 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 23 (8%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 9 (3.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 24 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 38% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Honda Prelude share of that is 288 complaints over 194 runs, 0.03% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Honda Prelude VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 288 NHTSA complaints from 194 Prelude runs and 16 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Prelude production run has the most complaints?
JHMBB6247VC, a 1997 build, with 9 complaints. The typical Prelude run has 1.5.
Which Prelude years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1998 is heaviest at 2.1 complaints per run and 1987 lightest at 1.
Does the Prelude get more complaints than the Nissan Sentra?
No: 1.5 complaints per production run for the Prelude against 5.1 for the Nissan Sentra.
How many Prelude complaints involve a crash?
8% of 288 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 9 involved a fire.
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