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#BS-1987-HONPRE-171F1987 Honda Prelude
Based on reports from 17 owners and 2 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Think Twice
Based on 17 complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fires, and 2 recalls.
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
2 owners reported seat belts:front:retractor issues — failures commonly reported around 133K miles.
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Seat Belts:front:retractor (2 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
1987 Honda Prelude: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Seat Belts:front:retractor Issues
Seat Belts:front:retractor complaints account for 12% of all reports filed for the 1987 Honda Prelude, with 2 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 133,133 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 133K-mile mark.
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System Issues
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System complaints account for 12% of all reports filed for the 1987 Honda Prelude, with 2 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Fuel System Issues
Fuel System complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 1987 Honda Prelude, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to fuel system-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:high/low Beam Dimmer Switch Issues
Exterior Lighting:headlights:high/low Beam Dimmer Switch complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 1987 Honda Prelude, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to exterior lighting:headlights:high/low beam dimmer switch-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 1987 Honda Prelude. Recent trend: stable.



Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (2 recalls)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
IF THE PLASTIC COATING OF THE FUEL FILLER AND/OR BREATHER PIPE IS DAMAGED, SALT WATER MAY ACCUMULATE BETWEEN THE PLASTIC COATING AND THE STEEL PIPES, AND THE ACCUMULATION COULD CAUSE CORROSION WHICH WOULD EVENTUALLY RUST THROUGH THE AFFECTED PIPES, ALLOWING GASOLINE FUMES AND FUEL TO LEAK.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Honda Prelude is the 2001 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
1987 Honda Prelude vs. Class Average (Subcompact Cars)
This vehicle
17
Class avg
13
Complaint volume is roughly in line with other subcompact cars vehicles from 1987.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 17 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 2 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Honda Prelude Model Years
1987 Honda Prelude: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 1987 Honda Prelude?
Is the 1987 Honda Prelude reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 1987 Honda Prelude problems?
Does the 1987 Honda Prelude have any recalls?
What mileage do Honda Prelude problems start?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
How is this different from Carfax?
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Get the Full 1987 Honda Prelude Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 17 owner reports. Know before you buy.