Model year guide

1993 Honda Prelude

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1993 Honda Prelude is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 20 on record.

1993 Honda Prelude — representative photo
Representative photo

1993 Honda Prelude at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints17
Combined21–24 mpg

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

1993 Honda Prelude recalls 5

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #08E050000 · 11/08/2008

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."

Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E060000 · 29/06/2006

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."

Fix: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E049000 · 24/05/2006

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.

Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

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.

Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #06E025000 · 21/03/2006

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, …

Fix: POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.

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.

1993 Honda Prelude common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

1993 Honda Prelude safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1993 Honda Prelude 2-DR. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1993 Honda Prelude MPG & running costs

Combined21–24 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,383
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume80 cu ft
Cargo volume8 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$4,917 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 6 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 1993 Honda Prelude costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,915
Fuel only$16,915
Per mile$0.23

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
174.8 in
Width
69.7 in
Height
50.8 in
Wheelbase
100.4 in
Curb weight
2,765–2,921 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1993 Honda Prelude — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS Closed

AIR BAG CAN DEPLOY WITHOUT VEHICLE CRASH

NHTSA #EA95024 · Air Bags · opened Aug 1995 · closed Aug 1996

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 19

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 19.

USE '94 ACCORD SERVICE MANUAL TO ADJUST TIMING BELT TENSION. *TT

Bulletin 110102 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2002

TIMING BELT ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE. HONDA OCTOBER TECH LINE INFORMATION. *TT

Bulletin 1002 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2002

SUBJECT REGARDING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS THAT THE ENGINE HESITATES BRIEFLY WHEN ACCELERATING. *TT

Bulletin 010402 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2002

CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF A BRIEF HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGH ENGINE SPEEDS. *TT

Bulletin 302 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2002

CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF A TWANG NOISE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION THAT SOUNDS LIKE A SPRING CONTACT. *SLC

Bulletin 5905 · Suspension · Feb 2002

SUBJECT REGARDING PARTS TO CORRECT 5TH GEAR GRINDING. *ET

Bulletin 01070 · Power Train · Aug 2001

SUBJECT REGARDING FIFTH GEAR GRINDS DURING UPSHIFT. *ET

Bulletin 01070 · Power Train · Aug 2001

A CONDITION MAY EXIST WHERE THE TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN SHIFTED INTO 5TH GEAR. *TT

Bulletin 95057 · Power Train · Oct 2000

INFORMATION ON HONING FIBER REINFORCED METAL (FRM) CYLINDERS. *TT

Bulletin 010200 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2000

INFORMATION REGARDING INVESTIGATION OF FACTORY AUDIO SYSTEMS IN NON-CURRENT EX COUPES AND WAGONS. **MR

Bulletin 013100 · Equipment · Jan 2000

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the PRELUDE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

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.

1993 Honda Prelude vehicles on record

1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB31400C102802 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB3140PC103113 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB31400C103765 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB2156NC147393 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB31400C104134 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB31400C101855 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB31400C100453 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBA21400C002529 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB11700C001905 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB31400C005177 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB31400C005196 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB31400C100694 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB32400C101421 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB31400C004637 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB31400C005978 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB31400C200055 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB32400C301908 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB31400C006774 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB32400C003779 1993 Honda Prelude 1993 Honda PreludeJHMBB31400C006857

Other Honda Prelude model years

2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981

1993 Honda Prelude — frequently asked questions

Does the 1993 Honda Prelude have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1993 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 1993 Honda Prelude?

Across all 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, electrical system, power train.

What is the 1993 Honda Prelude safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1993 Honda Prelude crash-test ratings of frontal 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1993 Honda Prelude get?

The 1993 Honda Prelude has U.S. EPA estimates of 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (6 versions).

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