1988 Honda Prelude
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Honda › Prelude › 1988
These records cover every 1988 Honda Prelude. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
6 recalls name the 1988 Honda Prelude. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
The accelerator pedal stopper may be bent when excessive downward force IS applied after pedal has contacted the stopper.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
The rear inboard seat anchorage bracket for the front seats may not withstand the force required by fmvss 207.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Vibration and high underhood temperatures could cause power steering supply hose at the connector clamp seal to develop a fluid leak.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owners manual information required by fmvss 210, sections 6A and 6B was omitted from the manual.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Vehicles manual information does not comply with fmvss210.
Remedy
Upgrade existing manuals by inserting adhesive backed correction pages.
A small amount of coolant seepage may occur, and eventually residue may accumulate on the throttle valve.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Residue may cause throttle valve return-to-idle speed tobe slower than normal when accelerator pedal IS released.
Remedy
Replace throttle body assembly.
Owner complaints
35 complaints2 involved a crash4 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
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…
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
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
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…
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 system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Fuel filler pipe rusted . As a result, when driving the pipe leaked underneath the vehicle. *ak
- Steering · Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
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
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
This specific line has caused significant smoking, has been completely replaced as of may 2001, however, the problem continues with leaking fluid. *Ak
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Power steering hose IS leaking fluid onto exhaust manifold. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood · Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
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.
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Power steering supply hose has developed a fluid leak, causing safety hazard. *ak
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Due to defective hose ,power steering fluid IS leaking onto exhaust manifold, causing a fire hazard. Recall 88v05900 was issued, but this vehicle was not included due to vin. *Ak
- Exterior lighting
Rear light seals leaking causing water to run off the wires and into the trunk as well as the back seat and carpet.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Gas filler tube rusted out. 83-87 preludes have been recalled for same defect. why not mine? please advise as soon as possible. this IS very dangerous because I lose an awfully lot of gas on the filling station drive which could catch fire. I would like to fix this but don't have the money.
- Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. · Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap · Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump
Radio failed.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Fuel system leak due to defective gas filler neck.
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid
Consumer states that the power steering hose IS leaking power steering fluid. The dealer has been notified. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Recall # 95v103001, consumer received recall notice in october of 97. No problem with buckle at that time. The buckle has been broken since may of 97. Consumer IS not able to get recall work performed because parts are not available. *ak the consumer states that the dealer was delaying the…
Recall # 95v103001, consumer received recall notice in october of 97. No problem with buckle at that time. The buckle has been broken since may of 97. Consumer IS not able to get recall work performed because parts are not available. *ak the consumer states that the dealer was delaying the repair claiming parts had not come in. the consumer also mentioned that this dealers charges were much much higher than that of other dealers in the area. *yh
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid
The power steering hose IS leaking fluid onto the very hot manifold and could cause a fire. *ak
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Power steering hose leaks fluid into hot exhaust manifold, causing smoke.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine compartment fire.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine compartment fire.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
Fuel filler pipe rusted/split, causing gasoline leak.
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
When headlights are turned on, there are no dash lights/rear driving lights. *Dsh
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Driver's shoulder/lap belt does not retract as intended; when unbuckled, does not rewind, so much slack, occupant not properly restrained. tt
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine caught on fire. *ak
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
The accelerator pad may have caused an accident. Please describe. tt
- Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
88V05900 car was repaired under recall from previous owner, present owner still having same problem. tt
Every Honda Prelude model year
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