1989 Honda Prelude Problems
- Complaints
- 21filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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 · 20 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Honda Prelude (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1989 Honda Prelude. The part named most often is steering, with 9 complaints (43% of the total), followed by seat belts (6) and engine cooling (5). Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. 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.
- Steering9 43%
- Seat belts6 29%
- Engine cooling5 24%
- Brakes2 9.5%
- Suspension2 9.5%
- Electrical system1 4.8%
- Equipment1 4.8%
- Body and structure1 4.8%
- Tires1 4.8%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Steering: “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 because it was manufactured four months after the ending date of manufacture . My Honda Prelude is a 1989 model, but it was manufactured in august of 1988. Please petition Honda to extend their recall so that I, and other Honda Prelude owners, can be protected from this potential hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #714928, filed 1999-11Seat belts: “Front belt buckle replaced accordance with a recall campaign 95v103001, the replaced buckle refused to latch afterward being replaced. About 75% of the time the buckle would appear to be snap, but after yanking on the belt it would release from at the buckle.”
NHTSA complaint #540678, filed 1998-09Engine cooling: “The car stops by itself when being driven. It sputters and then all the electrical lights come on and the car stops and will not start. I have towed it to the dealer 5 times, and they cannot figure the problem out, and they are able to start the car. The dealer says everything is all right but we are still facing the same problem of car stopping by itself and not starting again.”
NHTSA complaint #714659, filed 1999-11Brakes: “Brakes squeal. Also, power steering hose leak/ radiator hose melts due to close proximity to manifold/ transmission failure/ windows fog up and cruise control disengages, causing loss of control. Vehicle swerves/uneven back tire wear.”
NHTSA complaint #518145, filed 1997-08Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 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 | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Prelude FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Prelude FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $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
- 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.
Recall details for the 1989 Honda Prelude → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 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 1989 Honda Prelude have?
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1989 Honda Prelude as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Honda Prelude is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 9 complaints (43% of the total), followed by seat belts with 6.
Has the 1989 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 1989 Honda Prelude get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Honda Prelude (Prelude, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 20 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.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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.