1988 Honda Prelude
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Honda Prelude is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 7 on record.
1988 Honda Prelude at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1988 Honda Prelude recalls 6
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.
Fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECU…
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPER MAY BE BENT WHEN EXCESSIVE DOWNWARD FORCE IS APPLIED AFTER PEDAL HAS CONTACTED THE STOPPER.
Fix: INSTALL A SUPPORT TO PREVENT STOPPER FROM BENDING.
THE REAR INBOARD SEAT ANCHORAGE BRACKET FOR THE FRONT SEATS MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE FORCE REQUIRED BY FMVSS 207.
Fix: INSTALL A REINFORCING PLATE TO REAR INBOARD SEAT ANCHORAGE BRACKET FOR EACH FRONT SEAT.
VIBRATION AND HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES COULD CAUSE POWER STEERING SUPPLY HOSE AT THE CONNECTOR CLAMP SEAL TO DEVELOP A FLUID LEAK.
Fix: INSTALL AN IMPROVED POWER STEERING SUPPLY HOSE ASSEMBLY.
OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.
Fix: UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.
A SMALL AMOUNT OF COOLANT SEEPAGE MAY OCCUR, AND EVENTUALLY RESIDUE MAY ACCUMULATE ON THE THROTTLE VALVE.
Fix: REPLACE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1988 Honda Prelude common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1988 Honda Prelude MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1988 Honda Prelude costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Honda Prelude — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Canadian recalls 4
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1988 Honda Prelude. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, 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.
Transport Canada #1995086 · May 1995Engine
On certain vehicles, the accelerator pedal stopper may be bent when excessive downward force is applied after the pedal has contacted the stopper. In the worst case, the edge of the pedal can be caught and held down by the bent stopper. This could result in loss of vehicle control and a crash without prior warning. Correction: A support will be installed to prevent the stopper…
Transport Canada #1989085 · Jun 1989Steering
On certain vehicles, the power steering supply hose at the connector clamp seal could develop a small leak. If the fluid were to contact the exhaust manifold a fire could result. Correction: A reinforced rubber power steering hose assembly will be installed.
Transport Canada #1988048 · Apr 1988Engine
On certain Prelude SI vehicles, throttle body castings may contain slight porosity. During vehicle usage, coolant seepage may occur and eventually residue may accumulate on the throttle valve. The residue could cause the throttle valve to return slowly from the slightly open position to the idle position when the accelerator pedal is released. Correction: The throttle body asse…
Transport Canada #1987080 · Aug 1987Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Honda Prelude
The Honda Prelude is a sport compact car produced by the Japanese company Honda. It was produced over five generations from 1978 to 2001, and reintroduced in 2025.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.