The 1991 Honda Prelude has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 3,700,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS95V1030011995-05-243,700,000 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. CHECK THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUG ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, THEN…
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
3
2fires
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
2fires
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
2
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
1
SEAT BELTS
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
1
Total complaints18
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 45 mph a loud noise was heard from the rear of the vehicle and the vehicle stalled. It was maneuvered off the road and towed to the dealer who determined the timing belt needed to be replaced.”
“The hood had opened up while my son was using the car. This resulted in damage to the fron glass, roof, left side mirror, left side door and left side front fender, and hood.*ak”
“Consumer purchased a used vehicle which was in need of a new engine, after some time the consumer was able to have a used engine installed after installation it was noted that the engine was bad because the vehicle still would not run (head gasket, short block, head assembly, timing belt and oil…”
“This is a common problem with honda preludes...everyone I know with a prelude has engine problems”
“This is a common problem with honda preludes...everyone I know with a prelude has engine problems”
“Seat belt warning light and buzzer never stops, even if vehicle is off.”
“While driving the front driver side seat belt buckle won't lock and will come apart whenever the consumer moves which mak's the buckle to operate improperly. *ak”
“This head-on collision was investigated by the chp. Central division chp m.a.I.t. Was requested to examine the failure of the driver's side restraint. Upon examination sgt. Esmay determined that the restraint was being worn due to the signs of loading on the webbing and loop guide. The webbing of…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1991 Honda Prelude as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.