Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1987 Honda Prelude
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
529.4%
1 crashes, 1 fires
Seat Belts
317.6%
Tires
211.8%
Lights
211.8%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.9%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Brakes
15.9%
Steering
15.9%
Electrical System
15.9%
Median failure at 133,133 miles
Engine & Cooling
15.9%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 1995peak 3Jun 2010
NHTSA investigations into the 1987 Honda Prelude
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA89005Opened 16 Nov 1988Closed 30 Nov 1989VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FUEL SYSTEM VENTING
===
Recalls on the 1987 Honda Prelude
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1995086423,467 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the platic front seatbelt release buttons may break allowing plastic pieces to fall into the buckle assembly. If this should happen, a no latch, false latch or failure to unlatch condition could occur creating the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash or sudden stop. Correction: Front seatbelt buckles will be repaired or replaced as necessary.
Recall 1992025107,190 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, road salt may cause the fuel filler and/or breather pipe to rust through, resulting in fuel leakage. In the presence of an igntion source a vehicle fire could occur. Correction: Vehicles will be inspected and repaired if necessary.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Walnut Creek, CA1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
REAR RESTAINT BELT IS PERMANENTLY RETRACTED AND LOCKED, I AM A MOTHER OF TWIN TODDLERS AND REQUIRE THE USE USE OF BOTH REAR SEATBELTS IN ORDER TO SECURE THEIR SAFTEY SEATS PROPERLY. MEANWHILE I'VE TRIED TO SECURE IT WITH THE MIDDLE LAP BELT BUT IT HAS FAILED AT PROVIDING ANY KIND OF RESRAINT WHEN I TAKE A SHARP TURN IT TIPS OVER AND MY DAUGTERS HAVE BEEN INJURED A FEW TIMES OVER THIS DEFECT. I AM AFRAID IF I AM TO GET IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT THIS MIGHT FAIL TO SAVE THEIR LIVES. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE WHEATHER CONDITIONS ARE DANGEROUS FOR DRIVING AT THIS TIME AND I AM VERY WORRIED.
NHTSA complaint #756140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alamo, TXFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
SMELLS LIKE GAS FUMES.
NHTSA complaint #719567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brockton, MACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
FROM DAY ONE- IDLE FLUCTUATION WITH TONS OF DOCUMENTATION AND DENIAL TO PROBLEM BY DEALER & REPRESENTATIVE-FIRST DAY CAR WAS PURCHASED THERE WAS A CODE 12. ALL 4 FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED & EGR TUBES CLEANED. LIVED WITH UNRESOLVED PROBLEM ALL THESE YEARS, BUT NOW I HAVE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND AM FRIGTHENED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THE CAR. I ALMOST KILLED SOMEONE.
NHTSA complaint #707245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brockton, MACrash
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FROM DAY ONE- IDLE FLUCTUATION WITH TONS OF DOCUMENTATION AND DENIAL TO PROBLEM BY DEALER & REPRESENTATIVE-FIRST DAY CAR WAS PURCHASED THERE WAS A CODE 12. ALL 4 FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED & EGR TUBES CLEANED. LIVED WITH UNRESOLVED PROBLEM ALL THESE YEARS, BUT NOW I HAVE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND AM FRIGTHENED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THE CAR. I ALMOST KILLED SOMEONE.
NHTSA complaint #707245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Yakima, WA
TIRES
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED CAR IN JANUARY OF 2010. IT HAD INSTALLED ON IT, A SET OF FOUR DOUGLAS 185/70R/13 TIRES WITH THE MANUFACTURE DATE OF 0408 ON THE SIDEWALLS, AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER STATED THEY WERE ONLY ABOUT 2 MONTHS OLD (BOUGHT AT WAL MART). THEY ARE MODELED XTRA TRAC AW. WELL ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, I HAD ONE COMPLETELY BLOW OUT DUE TO SIDEWALL FAILURE. THIS BLOW OUT DAMAGED PRETTY MUCH THE ENTIRE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY CAR. I HAD TO REPLACE MY WHEEL BEARING, CV JOINT, AND A BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS I'M NOT SURE ABOUT ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE AREA. NOW THE OTHER THREE TIRES ARE BULGING ON THE SIDEWALLS, AND THE TIRES ONLY HAVE ABOUT 10,000 MILES ON THEM. WAL MART WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME, SINCE I DO NOT HAVE A RECEIPT. HOWEVER IF YOU GOOGLE THESE TIRES, THERE ARE PAGES UPON PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SIDEWALL FAILURE ON THESE TIRES. SOMETIMES EVEN JUST WITHIN A MONTH OF USE. I WAS ONLY CURIOUS IF THERE HAPPENS TO BE A RECALL ON THE PRESENT SET OF DOUGLAS TIRES, OR IF IT IS ONLY THE RECALL IN 1994. IF THERE IS NOT, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE ONE. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO REPLACE A SET OF FOUR TIRES AFTER ONLY 10,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10340539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 133,133 milesFults, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH - THE VEHICLE WILL START BUT WHEN THE KEY IS RELEASED FROM START THE ENGINE DIES. THIS PROBLEM MAY BE REPEATED OR WILL AGAIN START WORKING CORRECTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10156536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Cruz, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE'S OIL PAN PLUG STRIPPED WHENEVER THE OIL WAS CHANGED. *TT
NHTSA complaint #566263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walnut Creek, CA1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
REAR RESTAINT BELT IS PERMANENTLY RETRACTED AND LOCKED, I AM A MOTHER OF TWIN TODDLERS AND REQUIRE THE USE USE OF BOTH REAR SEATBELTS IN ORDER TO SECURE THEIR SAFTEY SEATS PROPERLY. MEANWHILE I'VE TRIED TO SECURE IT WITH THE MIDDLE LAP BELT BUT IT HAS FAILED AT PROVIDING ANY KIND OF RESRAINT WHEN I TAKE A SHARP TURN IT TIPS OVER AND MY DAUGTERS HAVE BEEN INJURED A FEW TIMES OVER THIS DEFECT. I AM AFRAID IF I AM TO GET IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT THIS MIGHT FAIL TO SAVE THEIR LIVES. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE WHEATHER CONDITIONS ARE DANGEROUS FOR DRIVING AT THIS TIME AND I AM VERY WORRIED.
NHTSA complaint #756140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hayward, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN GOOD FAITH. WHILE DRIVING SHE NOTICED A FUEL SMELL. CONSUMER DIDN'T KNOW FROM WHERE SMELL WAS COMING AT THAT TIME. BRAKES WERE 75% FRONT AND REAR. TIRES WERE 50% THREAD AND MIXMATCHED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAS A DAMAGE FROM PREVIOUS MAJOR ACCIDENT AND FUEL TAND WAS REPLACED INCORRECTLY.
NHTSA complaint #862837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hayward, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN GOOD FAITH. WHILE DRIVING SHE NOTICED A FUEL SMELL. CONSUMER DIDN'T KNOW FROM WHERE SMELL WAS COMING AT THAT TIME. BRAKES WERE 75% FRONT AND REAR. TIRES WERE 50% THREAD AND MIXMATCHED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAS A DAMAGE FROM PREVIOUS MAJOR ACCIDENT AND FUEL TAND WAS REPLACED INCORRECTLY.
NHTSA complaint #862837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hayward, CA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN GOOD FAITH. WHILE DRIVING SHE NOTICED A FUEL SMELL. CONSUMER DIDN'T KNOW FROM WHERE SMELL WAS COMING AT THAT TIME. BRAKES WERE 75% FRONT AND REAR. TIRES WERE 50% THREAD AND MIXMATCHED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAS A DAMAGE FROM PREVIOUS MAJOR ACCIDENT AND FUEL TAND WAS REPLACED INCORRECTLY.
NHTSA complaint #862837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alamo, TXFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
SMELLS LIKE GAS FUMES.
NHTSA complaint #719567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brockton, MACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
FROM DAY ONE- IDLE FLUCTUATION WITH TONS OF DOCUMENTATION AND DENIAL TO PROBLEM BY DEALER & REPRESENTATIVE-FIRST DAY CAR WAS PURCHASED THERE WAS A CODE 12. ALL 4 FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED & EGR TUBES CLEANED. LIVED WITH UNRESOLVED PROBLEM ALL THESE YEARS, BUT NOW I HAVE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND AM FRIGTHENED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THE CAR. I ALMOST KILLED SOMEONE.
NHTSA complaint #707245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brockton, MACrash
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FROM DAY ONE- IDLE FLUCTUATION WITH TONS OF DOCUMENTATION AND DENIAL TO PROBLEM BY DEALER & REPRESENTATIVE-FIRST DAY CAR WAS PURCHASED THERE WAS A CODE 12. ALL 4 FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED & EGR TUBES CLEANED. LIVED WITH UNRESOLVED PROBLEM ALL THESE YEARS, BUT NOW I HAVE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND AM FRIGTHENED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THE CAR. I ALMOST KILLED SOMEONE.
NHTSA complaint #707245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beaverton, OR
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELTS DO NOT FIT PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #531489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
TIE ROD ON FRONT STEERING MECHANISM STRIPPED OFF, LEAVING DRIVER WITHOUT STEERING CAPABILITIES.
NHTSA complaint #504402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Adams, MA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
RUST IN FUEL SYSTEM DUE TO RUSTED FUEL FILLER PIPE PRIOR TO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #503605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntsville, AL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE SIDE SEAT RETRACTOR IS NOT WORKING . TT
NHTSA complaint #977951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Antioch, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
PURCHASE CAR NEW THE HAZARD LIGHTS AREN'T WORKING RIGHT . TT
NHTSA complaint #977352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE HEAD LIGHT SWITCH DESIGN IS AT UNSAFE POSITION WHEN MAKING A TURN USE THE SIGNAL LIGHT YOU MAKE A MISTAKE AND TURN LIGHT OFF WHEN USING THE SIGNAL LIGHT .
NHTSA complaint #970204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
HAD VEHICLE SERVICE FOR RECALL ON THE FUEL SYSTEM ON 8/11/94 RECALL WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY. TT
NHTSA complaint #960842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.