1988 HONDA PRELUDE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
40
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1988 HONDA PRELUDE
The 1988 HONDA PRELUDE has received a total of 40 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL, SEATS. The most commonly reported problems involve the Steeringhydraulic Power Assisthose Piping And Connections (9 complaints), Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap (7 complaints), and Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly (5 complaints).
Recalls for the 1988 HONDA PRELUDE
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 1988 HONDA PRELUDE, potentially affecting up to 3,975,445 vehicles.
Recall 95V103001 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
| 3,700,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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,...
View full details →Recall 89V097000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
| 76,973 vehicles affected
Defect: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPER MAY BE BENT WHEN EXCESSIVE DOWNWARD FORCE IS APPLIED AFTER PEDAL HAS CONTACTED THE STOPPER.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL SHOULDPEDAL BE CAUGHT AND HELD DOWN BY BENT STOPPER, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL A SUPPORT TO PREVENT STOPPER FROM BENDING.
View full details →Recall 89V093000 — SEATS
| 25,252 vehicles affected
Defect: THE REAR INBOARD SEAT ANCHORAGE BRACKET FOR THE FRONT SEATS MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE FORCE REQUIRED BY FMVSS 207.
Consequence: BRACKET FAILURE COULD RESULT IN SEAT BECOMING LOOSE;VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 207.
Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCING PLATE TO REAR INBOARD SEAT ANCHORAGE BRACKET FOR EACH FRONT SEAT.
View full details →Recall 88V059000 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
| 66,239 vehicles affected
Defect: VIBRATION AND HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES COULD CAUSE POWER STEERING SUPPLY HOSE AT THE CONNECTOR CLAMP SEAL TO DEVELOP A FLUID LEAK.
Consequence: IF THE FLUID CONTACTS THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, IT MAYCAUSE SMOKE AND POSSIBLY AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED POWER STEERING SUPPLY HOSE ASSEMBLY.
View full details →Recall 87V171000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
| 99,088 vehicles affected
Defect: OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.
Consequence: VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.
Remedy: UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.
View full details →Recall 87V122000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 7,893 vehicles affected
Defect: A SMALL AMOUNT OF COOLANT SEEPAGE MAY OCCUR, AND EVENTUALLY RESIDUE MAY ACCUMULATE ON THE THROTTLE VALVE.
Consequence: RESIDUE MAY CAUSE THROTTLE VALVE RETURN-TO-IDLE SPEED TOBE SLOWER THAN NORMAL WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED.
Remedy: REPLACE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1988 HONDA PRELUDE
40 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1988 HONDA PRELUDE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steeringhydraulic Power Assisthose Piping And Connections | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontretractor | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpower Steering Fluid | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinedelivery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpump | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionfrontcontrol Armupper Arm | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
I HAVE A 1988 HONDA PRELUDE. THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE HAS A LEAK AT THE CONNECTION RIGHT ABOVE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA TO SEE IF THE RECALL HAD BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF, AND THEY STATED THAT IT HAD. I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE. THIS POSED A SERIOUS HAZARD TO PROPERTY, AND POSSIBLY LIFE IF THE FLUID LEAKED TOO BADLY AND CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. I DID NOT THINK THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. THIS WAS DUE TO THE DESIGN AND PLACEMENT OF THE LINE. THE REPLACEMENTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. WAS THERE ANY FOLLOUP ON THIS MATTER? IT SEEMED AS THOUGH MANY MEMBER OF A GROUP I BELONG TO FOR THE HONDA PRELUDE 1988-1991 HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME HAVE REPORTED FIRES DUE TO THE LEAK. *AK
I [XXX] AND [XXX], OWN A 1988 HONDA PRELUDE SI 4WS. VEHICLE VIN: [XXX]. AT THE ENDING WEEK OF DECEMBER WHILE DRIVING IT STARTED TO SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD AREA AND LACK OF CONTROL ON POWER STEERING OCCURRED. WENT TO LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP CASON HONDA LOCATED AT 1445 E.223RD ST.CARSON, CA 90745 310-834-4773 ON 12/22/06, LISA RODRIGUEZ ASSIST ME WITH MY VEHICLE CONCERNS. SHE PERFORMED A VIN STATUS INQUIRY IT STATED THE RECALL 88-014 C WAS COMPLETED ALREADY. SO I CONTACT AMERICAN HONDA WARRANTY ASSISTANCE HELP LINE AT 800-999-1009. SPOKE WITH JUDITH ON 12/28/06 RECEIVED CASE NUMBER N012006-12-2800464. SHE STATED THE RECALL WITH COMPLETE ON MAY 18, 1990. JUDITH, ADVISED THAT I HAVE DEALERSHIP INSPECT SIXTH DIGIT TO SEE IF RECALL PUNCH WAS ABOVE THE NUMBER AND INSPECT POWER STEERING HOSE MATERIAL TYPE. AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALERSHIP STATES RECALL AND SIXTH DIGIT HASN'T BEEN COMPLETE. LISA RODRIGUEZ CONTACTED HONDA WARRANTY CLAIM REPRESENTATIVE MANAGER NAMED GILBERTO WILSON ON 3:23 ON 1/3/07 TOLD, THAT THE RECALL 88-014 WAS NEVER COMPLETED ON THIS 1988 PRELUDE. GILBERTO CONTACTED MRS. RODRIGUEZ AT CARSON HONDA ON 1/4/07 ,DUE TO VIN STATUS INQUIRY SHOWS BEING COMPLETED AND MILEAGE ON VEHICLE AMERICAN HONDA CAN NOT ASSIST [XXX] IN REPLACEMENT OF HIGH PRESSURE STEERING HOSE. THIS RECALL 88-014 GOES UNDER THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT. *NM UPDATED 07/11/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
FUEL FILLER PIPE RUSTED . AS A RESULT, WHEN DRIVING THE PIPE LEAKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. *AK
VEHICLE HAD POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND SMOKING AS PER NHTSA RECALL # 88V059000. CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA WHO INFORMED ME THAT THIS RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO VIN ([XXX]).*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
VEHICLE HAD POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND SMOKING AS PER NHTSA RECALL # 88V059000. CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA WHO INFORMED ME THAT THIS RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO VIN ([XXX]).*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
View all Steeringhydraulic Power Assisthose Piping And Connections complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1988 HONDA PRELUDE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1988 HONDA PRELUDE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1988 HONDA PRELUDE
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1988 HONDA PRELUDE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the HONDA PRELUDE
- 1983 HONDA PRELUDE — 1 complaint
- 1984 HONDA PRELUDE — 5 complaints
- 1985 HONDA PRELUDE — 11 complaints
- 1986 HONDA PRELUDE — 12 complaints
- 1987 HONDA PRELUDE — 17 complaints
- 1988 HONDA PRELUDE (current)
- 1989 HONDA PRELUDE — 34 complaints
- 1990 HONDA PRELUDE — 4 complaints
- 1991 HONDA PRELUDE — 18 complaints
- 1992 HONDA PRELUDE — 26 complaints
- 1993 HONDA PRELUDE — 14 complaints
Other HONDA Models
- HONDA ACCORD — 30,831 total complaints
- HONDA CR-V — 20,109 total complaints
- HONDA CIVIC — 19,776 total complaints
- HONDA ODYSSEY — 15,588 total complaints
- HONDA PILOT — 12,071 total complaints
- HONDA FIT — 2,686 total complaints
- HONDA RIDGELINE — 2,527 total complaints
- HONDA HR-V — 2,201 total complaints