Model year guide

1989 Honda Prelude

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1989 Honda Prelude is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 7 on record.

1989 Honda Prelude — representative photo
Representative photo

1989 Honda Prelude at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints28
Combined20–22 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1989 Honda Prelude recalls 1

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly NHTSA Campaign #95V103001 · 24/05/1995

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…

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.

1989 Honda Prelude common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1989 Honda Prelude MPG & running costs

Combined20–22 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,238
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume76 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$4,188 more

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 1989 Honda Prelude costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,190
Fuel only$16,190
Per mile$0.22

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

Length
175.6 in
Width
67.3 in
Height
51.2 in
Wheelbase
101.2 in
Curb weight
2,553–2,643 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1989 Honda Prelude — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1989 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 1995

Source: 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.

1989 Honda Prelude vehicles on record

1989 Honda Prelude 1989 Honda PreludeJHMAAB5230C108300 1989 Honda Prelude 1989 Honda PreludeJHMBA41400C117025 1989 Honda Prelude 1989 Honda PreludeJHMBA41700C108062 1989 Honda Prelude 1989 Honda PreludeJHMBA41700C024738 1989 Honda Prelude 1989 Honda PreludeJHMBA42700C020912 1989 Honda Prelude 1989 Honda PreludeJHMBA42700C020980 1989 Honda Prelude 1989 Honda PreludeJHMBA41700C001771

Other Honda Prelude model years

2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981

1989 Honda Prelude — frequently asked questions

Does the 1989 Honda Prelude have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1989 Honda Prelude. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Honda Prelude?

Across all 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, engine and engine cooling, seat belts.

What gas mileage does the 1989 Honda Prelude get?

The 1989 Honda Prelude has U.S. EPA estimates of 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.