Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1992 Honda Prelude
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
830.8%
5 crashes, 0 fires · median 150,000 mi
Electrical System
519.2%
Median failure at 196,750 miles
Tires
415.4%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 211,000 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
311.5%
Median failure at 109,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
27.7%
Equipment & Accessories
13.8%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
13.8%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
13.8%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Engine & Cooling
13.8%
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.
Jan 1995peak 3Aug 2010
NHTSA investigations into the 1992 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.
EA95024Opened 31 Aug 1995Closed 30 Aug 1996AIR BAGS
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
AIR BAG CAN DEPLOY WITHOUT VEHICLE CRASH
PE93060Opened 22 Jun 1993Closed 29 Oct 1993STEERING
4WHL STEERING SENSOR FAILS
Recalls on the 1992 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.
United States — NHTSA
08E050000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
06E060000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
06E049000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
06E026000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
06E025000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Leesburg, VACrash
TIRES
1992 HONDA PRELUDE, LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT AND STRIKING THE CENTER DIVIDER WALL AND COMING TO REST ON THE INSIDE BERM. *BF (OHIO TRAAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0284-90).
NHTSA complaint #10340093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Petersburg, FL1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CAUSE UNKNONWN. *AK CONSUMER SUFFERED INURIES.
NHTSA complaint #8016987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Ridge, TNCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THIS CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED! IT IS SMASHED ALL IN THE FRONT, THE BACK IS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND DOWN TO THE GROUND...AND THE DRIVER SIDE IS CAVED IN ALSO, AND THIS AIRBAG COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE HEAD INJURY, AND BRUISING DOWN BY THE STEERING WHEEL. BUT THE AIRBAG FAILED !!!!
NHTSA complaint #740922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NVCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK VEHICLE LOWER PORTION OF VEHICLE HIT THE CURB GENTLY, CAUSING DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING TO AIRBAG'S DEPLOYTION. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED.
NHTSA complaint #875524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deer Field Beach, FLCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FRONTAL COLLISION AT THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUMPER IN WHICH THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 50MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #813490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raymondville, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVER WAS HIT FROM THE REAR, AND THEN HIT IN TURN, SHE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #813161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 211,000 milesMesa, AZ
TIRES
I HAVE A RECENTLY ACQUIRED 1992 HONDA PRELUDE WITH TOYO TIRES ON IT. THE CAR IS NOT BEING DRIVEN AND EXCEPT FOR TWO TRIPS TO MVD TO GET IT REGISTERED IT REMAINS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THREE WEEKS AGO THE RIGHT REAR TIRE APPARENTLY EXPLODE AND THE TREADS WERE SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CASING. TWO DAYS AGO I HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND FOUND THAT THE TIRE HAD EXPLODED AND WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER HEARD OF A TIRE FAILING WHEN THE CAR WAS PARKED. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF QUITE AN ACCIDENT AT 65 MPH ON A CROWDED EXPRESSWAY. IS ANYONE INTERESTED OR SHALL I WAIT FOR THE OTHER THREE TO EXPLODE? I HAVE NO INTENTION OF DRIVING THE CAR WITH THESE TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #10347796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leesburg, VACrash
TIRES
1992 HONDA PRELUDE, LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT CAUSING VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT AND STRIKING THE CENTER DIVIDER WALL AND COMING TO REST ON THE INSIDE BERM. *BF (OHIO TRAAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0284-90).
NHTSA complaint #10340093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesBowie, MD
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #10250460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 milesPrince Frederick, MD
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING 65MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOUD POPPING NOISE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, THERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED A FAILED TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10230198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 196,750 milesEast Chicago, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
MY IGNITION SWITCH JUST STARTED NOT TO LONG AGO TO FAIL ON ME. STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS LIKE A WEEK AGO NOTICING MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERING. I CHECKED MY FUSES AND THEY WERE ALL OK. TWO DAYS LATER MY CAR TURNED ON AND TURNED OFF WHEN I WENT TO START IT. TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND KEPT RUNNING. FOR FIVE DAYS EVERYTHING WAS OKAY BUT JUST NOTICED THAT MY LIGHTS WERE STILL KIND OF FLICKERING (DASH). TWO DAYS AGO IT DIDN'T WANT TO STAY ON. IN THE SECOND POSITION OF MY IGNITION, MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS THAT WILL NORMALLY COME ON DIDN'T AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR IT WOULD START FINE BUT WOULDN'T STAY ONE IN THE SECOND POSITION OF THE IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #10176626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Petersburg, FL1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CAUSE UNKNONWN. *AK CONSUMER SUFFERED INURIES.
NHTSA complaint #8016987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Athens, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTISIDE OF CONSUMER'S HOME, AND HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8015276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Ridge, TNCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THIS CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED! IT IS SMASHED ALL IN THE FRONT, THE BACK IS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND DOWN TO THE GROUND...AND THE DRIVER SIDE IS CAVED IN ALSO, AND THIS AIRBAG COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE HEAD INJURY, AND BRUISING DOWN BY THE STEERING WHEEL. BUT THE AIRBAG FAILED !!!!
NHTSA complaint #740922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anaheim, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE DISTRIBUTOR BEARING LOCKED UP CAUSING THE ROTOR TO MELT. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #553569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NVCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK VEHICLE LOWER PORTION OF VEHICLE HIT THE CURB GENTLY, CAUSING DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNING TO AIRBAG'S DEPLOYTION. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED.
NHTSA complaint #875524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #555218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charleston, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH WHEN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THEN, VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SERVICE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT DISTRIBUTOR HAD FAILED & BEARINGS WERE MELTED. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED VEHICLE TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #870584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charleston, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH WHEN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THEN, VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SERVICE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT DISTRIBUTOR HAD FAILED & BEARINGS WERE MELTED. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED VEHICLE TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #870584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charleston, SC
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH WHEN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. THEN, VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. SERVICE MECHANIC INDICATED THAT DISTRIBUTOR HAD FAILED & BEARINGS WERE MELTED. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED VEHICLE TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #870584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Buena Park, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DEALERS STATED THAT IT IS A PROBLEM PECULIAR TO HONDA PRELUDES/ACCORDS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #725931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westchesder, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
WHEN SHIFTING CAR INTO PARK GEAR SHIFT WILL GET STUCK. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE CAR HAS TO STAY IN NEUTRAL BECAUSE IT WON'T GO INTO PARK. CONSUMER HAS KIDS THAT PLAY, AND ONE TIME THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL ON ITS OWN. *AK
NHTSA complaint #859869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
THIS CAR HAS BEEN PAMPERED YET CONTINUES TO BREAK AND BE QUITE COSTLY TO MAINTAIN. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THEY WERE DEPENDABLE AND CHEAP TO MAINTAIN. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANY HONDA PRODUCT TO ANYONE. IT HAS PUT ME IN MAJOR DEBT. I AM VERY DISAPOINTED WITH THE DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #713927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THIS CAR HAS BEEN PAMPERED YET CONTINUES TO BREAK AND BE QUITE COSTLY TO MAINTAIN. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THEY WERE DEPENDABLE AND CHEAP TO MAINTAIN. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANY HONDA PRODUCT TO ANYONE. IT HAS PUT ME IN MAJOR DEBT. I AM VERY DISAPOINTED WITH THE DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #713927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brownsville, TX
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, HIT A POTHOLE IN THE STREET, AND BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #827008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dumfries, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
DISTRIBUTOR FAILED LEAVING CONSUMER STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #534472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deer Field Beach, FLCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE AT A STOP, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A FRONTAL COLLISION AT THE DRIVER'S SIDE BUMPER IN WHICH THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 50MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #813490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raymondville, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DRIVER WAS HIT FROM THE REAR, AND THEN HIT IN TURN, SHE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #813161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Magnolia, TXCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
FAILURE ON THE ACCELERATOR, CONSUMER APPLIED FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SURGED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #800038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXCrash
AIR BAGS
DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG MAKING A TURN, CAUSING INABILITY TO SEE/ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #503460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.