1988 Honda Prelude 2.0 12V 4AT
Unverified
All photo credits
- Photo: 1990 Honda Prelude 2.0 Si in Champagne, front left by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Honda Prelude 1 by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Honda Prelude x2 (53081250050) by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1990 Honda Prelude 2.0 Si in Champagne, rear left by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 1988 Honda Prelude MDG071A-Dashboard by ZidaneHartono, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 1988 Honda Prelude 2.0 12V 4AT is a 2.0-liter inline-4 sports coupe with a 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $14,569 MSRP and is rated at 20 mpg combined.
EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (20 mpg combined).
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Coupe |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $14,569 ($40,025 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 2.0L inline-4, 12-valve SOHC |
| Displacement | 2 L |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Automatic |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 18 MPG |
| Highway | 24 MPG |
| Combined | 20 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular Unleaded |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 1988 Honda Prelude 2.0 12V 4AT with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.
Recalls
6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 1988 Honda PRELUDE. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
May 24, 1995 · 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.
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 PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS ANY SIGN OF BREAKAGE OR CRACKING, OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, PROMPTLY CONTACT YOUR AUTHORIZED HONDA/ACURA DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
NHTSA campaign 95V103001
Jun 13, 1989 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPER MAY BE BENT WHEN EXCESSIVE DOWNWARD FORCE IS APPLIED AFTER PEDAL HAS CONTACTED THE STOPPER.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL SHOULDPEDAL BE CAUGHT AND HELD DOWN BY BENT STOPPER, WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL A SUPPORT TO PREVENT STOPPER FROM BENDING.
NHTSA campaign 89V097000
Jun 8, 1989 · SEATS
THE REAR INBOARD SEAT ANCHORAGE BRACKET FOR THE FRONT SEATS MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE FORCE REQUIRED BY FMVSS 207.
Consequence: BRACKET FAILURE COULD RESULT IN SEAT BECOMING LOOSE;VEHICLES WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 207.
Remedy: INSTALL A REINFORCING PLATE TO REAR INBOARD SEAT ANCHORAGE BRACKET FOR EACH FRONT SEAT.
NHTSA campaign 89V093000
Apr 6, 1988 · STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
VIBRATION AND HIGH UNDERHOOD TEMPERATURES COULD CAUSE POWER STEERING SUPPLY HOSE AT THE CONNECTOR CLAMP SEAL TO DEVELOP A FLUID LEAK.
Consequence: IF THE FLUID CONTACTS THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD, IT MAYCAUSE SMOKE AND POSSIBLY AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL AN IMPROVED POWER STEERING SUPPLY HOSE ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign 88V059000
Oct 29, 1987 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
OWNERS MANUAL INFORMATION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 210, SECTIONS 6A AND 6B WAS OMITTED FROM THE MANUAL.
Consequence: VEHICLES MANUAL INFORMATION DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS210.
Remedy: UPGRADE EXISTING MANUALS BY INSERTING ADHESIVE BACKED CORRECTION PAGES.
NHTSA campaign 87V171000
Aug 4, 1987 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
A SMALL AMOUNT OF COOLANT SEEPAGE MAY OCCUR, AND EVENTUALLY RESIDUE MAY ACCUMULATE ON THE THROTTLE VALVE.
Consequence: RESIDUE MAY CAUSE THROTTLE VALVE RETURN-TO-IDLE SPEED TOBE SLOWER THAN NORMAL WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED.
Remedy: REPLACE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign 87V122000
35 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1988 Honda PRELUDE
Owner Complaints
35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Honda PRELUDE (2 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 2 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Steering | 12 |
| Seat Belts | 8 |
| Fuel System | 7 |
| Gasoline | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1988 HONDA PRELUDE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.