1996 Honda Prelude
Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 4 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1985 | 7 |
| 1986 | 12 |
| 1987 | 14 |
| 1988 | 35 |
| 1989 | 21 |
| 1990 | 4 |
| 1991 | 15 |
| 1992 | 22 |
| 1993 | 11 |
| 1994 | 9 |
| 1995 | 6 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 1997 | 66 |
| 1998 | 69 |
| 1999 | 31 |
| 2000 | 13 |
| 2001 | 21 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 4 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
2 of 4 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling.
Show complaint excerpts
THE MAIN BEARINGS IN MY MOTOR SPUN AND ARE SCORED, THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE TO THE CRANKSHAFT AND BEARING JOURNALS. DUE TO THIS LOSS OF PRESSURE THE ENGINE BLOCK,CRANKSHAFT,JOURNALS, AND MAIN BEARINGS ARE RUINED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20010307
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 75MPH THE VEHICLE CUT COMPLETELY OFF. HAS BEEN TO DEALER AT LEAST 6 TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19980317
1 of 4 total reports mentions: suspension.
Show complaint excerpts
WHILE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 20 MPH BALL JOINTS WENT OUT, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL ON VEHICLE FOR SAME PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA ODI report, 20010924
1 of 4 total reports mentions: electrical system.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
ELECTRICAL FIRE IN VEHICLE TRUNK. *NM
NHTSA ODI report, 20050901
SAFETY TIMELINE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUS
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
Campaign 99V069000 — check if this car was fixed
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 S
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 06E025000 — check if this car was fixed
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 N
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed
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 RE
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 06E060000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1996 Honda Prelude — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (1 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (1 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 99V069000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E060000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 1996 Honda Prelude reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Honda Prelude?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Honda Prelude have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.