1985 Honda Prelude Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1985 Honda Prelude (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1985 Honda Prelude. The part named most often is fuel system, with 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and electrical system (1). NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system4 57%
- Brakes1 14%
- Electrical system1 14%
- Equipment1 14%
- Seat belts1 14%
- Seats1 14%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “Gas fumes is leaking out from the filler pipe, coming into the truck area of the vehicle and then into the vehicle. The filler pipe was under recall in 1993, recall # 92v028001; fuel: fuel systems, the problem has reoccurred. The problem was reported to the dealership. The problem has not been corrected. Report given by father, ron cuddie.”
NHTSA complaint #835161, filed 1999-02Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1985 Honda Prelude version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelude FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Prelude FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Prelude FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Prelude FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 25 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Prelude FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 92V028001Apr 15, 1993Fuel system, gasolineCovers: Honda Prelude 1983–1987, Accord 1986–1987
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…
Recall details for the 1985 Honda Prelude → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1985 Honda Prelude.
Other model years of the Honda Prelude
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 21 | 85,480 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 13 | 73,571 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 31 | 67,064 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 69 | 93,790 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1997 | 66 | 93,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 6 | 87,500 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 9 | 128,000 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 11 | 124,000 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 22 | 173,375 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 15 | 129,000 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 21 | — | 1 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 35 | 192,638 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 14 | 133,133 | 2 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 12 | — | 2 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 7 | — | 1 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
All Honda Prelude model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1985 Honda Prelude have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1985 Honda Prelude as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1985 Honda Prelude is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.
Has the 1985 Honda Prelude been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1985 Honda Prelude get?
The EPA rates the 1985 Honda Prelude (Prelude, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.