The 1986 Honda Prelude has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,620,583 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS95V1030011995-05-243,700,000 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, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, THEN…
IF THE PLASTIC COATING OF THE FUEL FILLER AND/OR BREATHER PIPE IS DAMAGED, SALT WATER MAY ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE PLASTIC COATING AND THE STEEL PIPES, AND THE ACCUMULATION COULD CAUSE CORROSION WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY RUST THROUGH THE AFFECTED PIPES, ALLOWING GASOLINE FUMES AND FUEL TO LEAK.
Consequence
GASOLINE FUMES AND/OR FUEL LEAKAGE THROUGH THE FILLER ORBREATHER PIPES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy
REPAIRS WILL BE MADE TO VEHICLES WITH CORRODED FILLER OR BREATHER PIPES.
Complaints by component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
1
Total complaints12
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Honda recalled this car in order to replace the gas tank filler pipe due to excessive corrosion, however, the surrounding mounts and the fill pipe bowl on the filler door are also excessively corroded, and are failing to hold the filler pipe in place, and allow excessive fumes to build up within…”
“Vehicle fuel system experienced failure on multiple occasions, prior to recall notice and after recall repair (92v028001). *yc”
“Recall 92v028001; fuel filler and cap rusted through which may cause a fuel leak and a fire. There is a recall, but this vehicle is not included because vehicle was made according to canadian standards. Please provide further information. *ak”
“Front seat belts are not long enough to fasten when seats are in forward position. *skd”
“Reclining mechanism failed on drivers seat. Tt”
“The metal fastner doesn't engage into seat belt locking mechanism properly. Tt”
“The rear drive side retractor is lock up purchase car used. Tt”
“Vehicle stop running/loses power while driving.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA89005 Opened 1988-11-16 · closed 1989-11-30
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 Honda Prelude as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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