1992 Honda Prelude

Routine

Owners filed 22 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags › frontal. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags › Frontal6
403
Electrical System › Ignition3
000
Tires2
100
Air Bags2
100
Visibility › Windshield1
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal1
100
Unknown or Other1
000
Tires › Tread/Belt1
000
Power Train › Manual Transmission1
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)1
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights08E050000
Filed Aug 11, 20081,921 vehiclesK2 Motor Corporation

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."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting06E060000
Filed Jun 29, 200687,745 vehiclesAai Motorsports Usa, Llc

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."

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

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.

Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.

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.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights06E025000
Filed Mar 21, 20061,450 vehiclesPoli-Auto, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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.

Remedy. POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Tires
Filed Aug 6, 2010211,000 milesAZ

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

TiresCrash
Filed Jun 23, 2010VA

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

Air Bags
Filed Dec 2, 2008150,000 milesMD

AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT. *TR

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jun 7, 2008109,000 milesMD

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

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Dec 20, 2006196,750 milesIN

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

Air Bags › Frontal1 injured
Filed Aug 22, 2002FL

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 31, 2002GA

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

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 15, 2001TN

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

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Nov 27, 2000NV

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK VEHICLE LOWER PORTION OF VEHICLE HIT THE CURB GENTLY, CAUSING DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING TO AIRBAG'S DEPLOYTION. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 28, 2000VA

BRIDGESTONE TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *SLC

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Sep 15, 2000SC

WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH WHEN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THEN, VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SERVICE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT DISTRIBUTOR HAD FAILED & BEARINGS WERE MELTED. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED VEHICLE TO STOP. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Aug 7, 2000CA

THE DISTRIBUTOR BEARING LOCKED UP CAUSING THE ROTOR TO MELT. *MJS

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 24, 2000CA

DEALERS STATED THAT IT IS A PROBLEM PECULIAR TO HONDA PRELUDES/ACCORDS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (prndl)
Filed Apr 7, 2000IL

WHEN SHIFTING CAR INTO PARK GEAR SHIFT WILL GET STUCK. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE CAR HAS TO STAY IN NEUTRAL BECAUSE IT WON'T GO INTO PARK. CONSUMER HAS KIDS THAT PLAY, AND ONE TIME THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL ON ITS OWN. *AK *ML

Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
Filed Oct 27, 1999TX

THIS CAR HAS BEEN PAMPERED YET CONTINUES TO BREAK AND BE QUITE COSTLY TO MAINTAIN. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THEY WERE DEPENDABLE AND CHEAP TO MAINTAIN. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANY HONDA PRODUCT TO ANYONE. IT HAS PUT ME IN MAJOR DEBT. I AM VERY DISAPOINTED WITH THE DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER.

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Aug 20, 1998TX

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, HIT A POTHOLE IN THE STREET, AND BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Apr 22, 1998VA

DISTRIBUTOR FAILED LEAVING CONSUMER STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jun 25, 1997FL

WHILE AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FRONTAL COLLISION AT THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUMPER IN WHICH THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 50MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 16, 1997TX

DRIVER WAS HIT FROM THE REAR, AND THEN HIT IN TURN, SHE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator PedalCrash
Filed Aug 21, 1996TX

FAILURE ON THE ACCELERATOR, CONSUMER APPLIED FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SURGED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT.*AK

20 of 22 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1998
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20060100Routine
20050100Routine
20040100Routine
20030100Routine
20020100Routine
200121300Routine
200013300Routine
199931400Routine
199869501Fatalities reported
199766500Routine
19964610Routine
19956500Routine
19949510Routine
199311500Routine
1992 — this page22500Routine
199115121Fatalities reported
19904100Routine

Compare every Prelude year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 11, 2008. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.