1986 Honda Prelude Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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
- 24 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Honda Prelude (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1986 Honda Prelude. The part named most often is fuel system, with 6 complaints (50% of the total), followed by seat belts (3) and engine cooling (2). NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the buckle assembly 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 system6 50%
- Seat belts3 25%
- Engine cooling2 17%
- Seats1 8.3%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “This defect is covered by NHTSA camaign id 92v028001 and is a fire hazard. This vehicle was manufactured in japan and as such dealers will not repair at no charge. The warranty states except as may be required by law, this vehicle has no warranty in the 50 united states, d.c., puerto rico or the u.s. Virgin islands. My question: is this recall required by u.s. Law and therefore should be performed at no charge? If so how do I proceed?”
NHTSA complaint #752602, filed 2001-09Engine cooling: “Engine does not idle very well when warm or very cold. Car seems to loss power on the freeway. Car tends to oveheat after long driving stints. Fan does not go on when engine is over heating.”
NHTSA complaint #701107, filed 1998-12Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 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 | 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 | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Prelude FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
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
- 95V103001May 24, 1995Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Honda Prelude 1986–1991, Accord 1986–1991, Civic 1986–1991 +3 more
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.
- 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 1986 Honda Prelude → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 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 1986 Honda Prelude have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1986 Honda Prelude as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Honda Prelude is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 6 complaints (50% of the total), followed by seat belts with 3.
Has the 1986 Honda Prelude been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Honda Prelude get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Honda Prelude (Prelude, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 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 29, 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.