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Honda Prelude — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Honda Prelude model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
27
Years to Avoid
2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997
Best Years
1990, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1981, 1980, 1979
2006
0 complaints1 recalls6 TSBs
2005
0 complaints1 recalls6 TSBs
2004
0 complaints1 recalls5 TSBs
2003
0 complaints1 recalls5 TSBs
2002
0 complaints1 recalls5 TSBs
2001Avoid
25 complaints3 recalls1 invest.58 TSBs
2000Avoid
14 complaints3 recalls1 invest.64 TSBs
1999Avoid
40 complaints4 recalls1 invest.65 TSBs
1998Avoid
86 complaints5 recalls1 invest.74 TSBs
1997Avoid
88 complaints5 recalls1 invest.86 TSBs
1996
4 complaints6 recalls25 TSBs
1995
9 complaints5 recalls24 TSBs
1994
12 complaints5 recalls27 TSBs
1993
14 complaints5 recalls1 invest.17 TSBs
1992
26 complaints5 recalls2 invest.15 TSBs
1991
18 complaints1 recalls3 TSBs
1990Best Year
4 complaints1 recalls2 TSBs
1989
34 complaints1 recalls
1988
40 complaints6 recalls
1987
17 complaints2 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1986
12 complaints2 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1985Best Year
11 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1984Best Year
5 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1983Best Year
1 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1981Best Year
3 complaints1 recalls
1980Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1979Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Honda Prelude Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 Honda Prelude are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Honda Prelude, consider the 1990, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1981, 1980, 1979 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

27 model years analyzed