1988 Honda PRELUDE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
192,638 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 22 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 6 | 27.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 6 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 |
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections: 6; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 3
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 13 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
1995: 13; 1996: 2; 2000: 1; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2004: 1; 2007: 2
Pattern summary
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10177829 · 2007-01-05 (January 5, 2007)
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 [phone removed] 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 [phone removed]. SPOKE WI…
Owner-reported narrative. 192,638 miles reported. Look up ODI 10177829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10187386 · 2007-04-09 (April 9, 2007)
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 BEE…
Owner-reported narrative. 195,430 miles reported. Look up ODI 10187386 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967972 · 1995-06-29 (June 29, 1995)
VEHICLES FUEL TANK PIPE HAS A LEAK DUE TO RUST. THE COATING HAS PEELED AWAY, IF TANK IS FULL IT LEAKS/OR WHEN PUMPING. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967972 at NHTSA ↗