AI Damage1989 Honda Prelude: common problems
Owners of the 1989 Honda Prelude filed 21 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 21
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 43% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 29% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 24% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 10% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 5% of all complaints
- 7 Equipment 5% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- Steering: 9 complaints (43% of all).
- Seat belts: 6 complaints (29% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (24% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (10% of all).
- Suspension: 2 complaints (10% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 21 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data 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 this occurred.
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.
Front seat belt buckles engage and appear to hold; but buckles release unexpectedly when pressure is applied to belts.
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…
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.
This is a compressor that was replaced under warranty on 2/11/91. I am now on the 3rd compressor.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 8,077 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 22% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Prelude has 17 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 21, above average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
- Prelude 19845 sources
- Prelude 19857 sources
- Prelude 198612 sources
- Prelude 198714 sources
- Prelude 198835 sources
- Prelude 19904 sources
- Prelude 199115 sources
- Prelude 199222 sources
- Prelude 199311 sources
- Prelude 19949 sources
- Prelude 19956 sources
- Prelude 19964 sources
- Prelude 199766 sources
- Prelude 199869 sources
- Prelude 199931 sources
- Prelude 200013 sources
- Prelude 200121 sources
- Prelude 202617 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Honda Prelude?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, seat belts, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 21. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (33%), seat belts (19%), smoke, burning smell, fire (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 Honda Prelude?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1989 Honda Prelude from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1989 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.