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Honda PreludeModel year report

1988 Honda Prelude Problems

Complaints
35filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
192,638miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Honda Prelude (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 1988 Honda Prelude. The part named most often is steering, with 13 complaints (37% of the total), followed by fuel system (8) and seat belts (8). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 192,638 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hose, piping, and connections filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Example complaints

Steering: “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 hazard to property, and possibly life if the fluid leaked too badly and caused loss of control. I did not think this should be considered a wear and tear item. This was due to the design and placement of the line. …”

NHTSA complaint #10187386, filed 2007-04, 195,430 miles

Fuel system: “Gas filler tube rusted out. 83-87 preludes have been recalled for same defect. Why not mine? Please advise as soon as possible. This is very dangerous because I lose an awfully lot of gas on the filling station drive which could catch fire. I would like to fix this but don't have the money.”

NHTSA complaint #700854, filed 1998-11

Seat belts: “Recall # 95v103001, consumer received recall notice in october of 97. No problem with buckle at that time. The buckle has been broken since may of 97. Consumer is not able to get recall work performed because parts are not available. The consumer states that the dealer was delaying the repair claiming parts had not come in. The consumer also mentioned that this dealers charges were much much higher than that of other dealers in the area.”

NHTSA complaint #816232, filed 1997-09

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 180,000 and 195,430 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–150100%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 192,638 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

1319961998200020022007
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1988 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Prelude FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual202522$3,050
Prelude FWD2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192421$3,200
Prelude FWD2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182420$3,350

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

Recall details for the 1988 Honda Prelude → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Honda Prelude.

Other model years of the Honda Prelude

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20012185,4801—22—Stable
20001373,5711—22—Not enough data
19993167,0642—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19986993,7903—22Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19976693,0003——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1995687,5000—21—Not enough data
19949128,0000—21—Not enough data
199311124,0000—21—Not enough data
199222173,3750—22—Stable
199115129,0001—21—Stable
198921—1—21—Stable
198835192,6386—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198714133,1332—25—Not enough data
198612—2—24—Not enough data
19857—1—23—Not enough data
19845—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 1988 Honda Prelude have?

NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 1988 Honda Prelude as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1988 Honda Prelude is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 13 complaints (37% of the total), followed by fuel system with 8.

Has the 1988 Honda Prelude been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1988 Honda Prelude get?

The EPA rates the 1988 Honda Prelude (Prelude, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Honda Prelude reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 192,638 miles and the middle half falls between 180,000 and 195,430 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.