Honda · 1988

1988 Honda Prelude

Official EPA fuel economy and NHTSA recall record, best combined figure 22 MPG.

Fuel economy (EPA)

Engine	Transmission	Fuel	City	Highway	Combined	CO2 g/mi
2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Regular	18	24	20	444
2.0L 4-cyl	Manual 5-spd	Regular	20	25	22	404
2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic 4-spd	Regular	19	24	21	423
2.0L 4-cyl	Manual 5-spd	Regular	20	25	22	404

Safety recalls (NHTSA)

6 campaigns on record for this model year. Recall repairs are free at dealers; check your exact vehicle by VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Campaign 87V171000

OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.

Campaign 87V122000

A SMALL AMOUNT OF COOLANT SEEPAGE MAY OCCUR, AND EVENTUALLY RESIDUE MAY ACCUMULATE ON THE THROTTLE VALVE.

Campaign 88V059000

VIBRATION AND HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES COULD CAUSE POWER STEERING SUPPLY HOSE AT THE CONNECTOR CLAMP SEAL TO DEVELOP A FLUID LEAK.

Campaign 89V093000

THE REAR INBOARD SEAT ANCHORAGE BRACKET FOR THE FRONT SEATS MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE FORCE REQUIRED BY FMVSS 207.

Campaign 89V097000

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPER MAY BE BENT WHEN EXCESSIVE DOWNWARD FORCE IS APPLIED AFTER PEDAL HAS CONTACTED THE STOPPER.

Campaign 95V103001

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.

Owner complaints (NHTSA)

40 complaints filed by owners for this model year (2 involving a crash, 5 a fire). Complaints are owner reports, not confirmed defects - browse them in full on nhtsa.gov.

Steering 14 Seat Belts 9 Fuel System, Gasoline 8

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fuel economy of a 1988 Honda Prelude?

EPA figures for the 1988 Honda Prelude reach 22 MPG combined depending on configuration; the table on this page lists every tested engine and transmission combination.

Are there recalls on the 1988 Honda Prelude?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 1988 Honda Prelude. Check your specific vehicle by VIN on the official NHTSA site, recalls are fixed free of charge by dealers.

What are common problems with the 1988 Honda Prelude?

Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA for the 1988 Honda Prelude, most often about: Steering, Seat Belts, Fuel System, Gasoline. Complaint counts reflect what owners report, not confirmed defects.

Sources: EPA fueleconomy.gov, the NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings databases (all US public data), refreshed monthly. Recall texts are quoted from the official record. Details on About & Data Sources.