The 1989 Honda Prelude has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 3,700,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 34 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…
Complaints by component
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
7
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
2
SUSPENSION:FRONT
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
1
Total complaints34
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The engine timing belt broke while the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed (@55mph) on the us 20 bypass, a local 2-lane expressway. The vehicle experienced a complete loss of acceleration and power due to the breaking of the timing belt. Luckily no other vehicles were near me at the time…”
“Soon after parking vehicle caught on fire. Fire department said it was due to faulty wires. Consumer contacted american honda, and they sent consumer to a dealer ship. But dealership said that problem was too serious, and that they could not do anything for her. Consumer called back american…”
“Same problem as 1988 model year recall. No safety defect (s) found in summary. *ak”
“Power steering hose failed. There was a recall of the same hose on 1988, which are identical to the 1989 model. *et”
“Power steering supply hose on my honda prelude developed a leak at the connector clamp seal, and dripped fluid onto the hot exhaust manifold, causing smoke. Honda had recalled the power steering supply hose which they installed in my car, but they told me that my car was not covered by the recall…”
“This hose failure is the same type of failure that was described in the 1988 recall, but the dealer would not cover it.”
“Power steering fluid leaking at connector clamp seal. Noticed the 1988 vehicles are under recall concerning same problem; nhtsa # 89v059 000. Dealer notified and informed consumer vehicle not under recall. *ak”
“This is a compressor that was replaced under warranty on 2/11/91. I am now on the 3rd compressor.”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1989 Honda Prelude as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.