MYRModel Year Report

1996 Honda Prelude

○ Not enough data
1996 Honda Prelude
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:35:49.825Z

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
4

Too few to rank

Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 12 complaints 1987: 14 complaints 1988: 35 complaints 1988 1989: 21 complaints 1990: 4 complaints 1991: 15 complaints 1991 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 11 complaints 1994: 9 complaints 1995: 6 complaints 1996: 4 complaints 1996 4 1997: 66 complaints 1998: 69 complaints 1999: 31 complaints 2000: 13 complaints 2000 2001: 21 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2003: 0 complaints 2003 2004: 0 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2006: 0 complaints 2006
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1986: 12 complaints 1986 1987: 14 complaints 1988: 35 complaints 1988 1989: 21 complaints 1990: 4 complaints 1990 1991: 15 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1992 1993: 11 complaints 1994: 9 complaints 1994 1995: 6 complaints 1996: 4 complaints 1996 4 1997: 66 complaints 1998: 69 complaints 1998 1999: 31 complaints 2000: 13 complaints 2000 2001: 21 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 0 complaints 2004: 0 complaints 2004 2005: 0 complaints 2006: 0 complaints 2006
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 12 complaints 1986 1987: 14 complaints 1987 1988: 35 complaints 1988 1989: 21 complaints 1989 1990: 4 complaints 1990 1991: 15 complaints 1991 1992: 22 complaints 1992 1993: 11 complaints 1993 1994: 9 complaints 1994 1995: 6 complaints 1995 1996: 4 complaints 1996 4 1997: 66 complaints 1997 1998: 69 complaints 1998 1999: 31 complaints 1999 2000: 13 complaints 2000 2001: 21 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 0 complaints 2003 2004: 0 complaints 2004 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints 2006

1996: 4 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19812
19831
19845
19857
198612
198714
198835
198921
19904
199115
199222
199311
19949
19956
19964
199766
199869
199931
200013
200121
20020
20030
20040
20050
20060

Known problem areas

Only 4 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Engine and engine cooling

2 of 4 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline.

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, 2001-03-07

While driving on the interstate at about 75MPH the vehicle cut completely off. Has been to dealer at least 6 times for same problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-03-17

Suspension

1 of 4 total reports mentions: suspension, most commonly citing control arm.

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, 2001-09-24

Electrical system

1 of 4 total reports mentions: electrical system, most commonly citing rear compartment/trunk.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Electrical fire in vehicle trunk.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-09-01

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1999-05-17Suspension99V069000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2006-05-02Exterior lighting06E025000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Honda Prelude — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 2 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 1 report on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 1 report on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 99V069000 · Suspension
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

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, 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 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.