The 1988 Honda Prelude has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,975,445 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. 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…
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.
Complaints by component
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
9
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
7
1injuries
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
3
3fires
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
3
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1
1fires
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
1
Total complaints40
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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”
“Power steering hose is leaking fluid onto exhaust manifold. Please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak”
“This specific line has caused significant smoking, has been completely replaced as of may 2001, however, the problem continues with leaking fluid. *ak”
“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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1988 Honda Prelude as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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