1988 Honda PRELUDE: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10089416 · 2004-08-23 (August 23, 2004)
FUEL FILLER PIPE RUSTED . AS A RESULT, WHEN DRIVING THE PIPE LEAKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10089416 at NHTSA ↗
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 481290 · 1995-02-16 (February 16, 1995)
UPPER CONTROL ARM RUBBER BUSHING FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481290 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484483 · 1995-07-02 (July 2, 1995)
ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484483 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501343 · 1996-02-01 (February 1, 1996)
WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON, THERE ARE NO DASH LIGHTS/REAR DRIVING LIGHTS. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501343 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719855 · 2000-03-08 (March 8, 2000)
THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY WAS RECALLED IN 1988 YET THE ORIG. OWNER DID NOT RECIEVE RECALL NOTICE . NOW THIS FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE DEFECT, CONFIRMED BY MY MECHANIC AND COSTING ME APPROX. 1500.00 DOLLARS TO REPAIR WITH THE FIRE DAMAGE. HOPEFULLY HONDA WILL REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COST. I HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION AND RECEIPTS ALONG WITH PHOTO'S TOO.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719855 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 746210 · 2001-05-31 (May 31, 2001)
THIS SPECIFIC LINE HAS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT SMOKING, HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REPLACED AS OF MAY 2001, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUES WITH LEAKING FLUID. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 746210 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
87V122000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1987-08-04 (August 4, 1987)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V171000 · Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual
Reported: 1987-10-29 (October 29, 1987)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V059000 · Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
Reported: 1988-04-06 (April 6, 1988)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗89V093000 · Seats
Reported: 1989-06-08 (June 8, 1989)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗89V097000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
Reported: 1989-06-13 (June 13, 1989)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗95V103001 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1995-05-24 (May 24, 1995)
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, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, THEN PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS ANY SIGN OF BREAKAGE OR CRACKING, OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, PROMPTLY CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED HONDA/ACURA DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
NHTSA campaign record ↗