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1990 Honda Prelude 2.1 Si 5MT

All Honda Prelude trims (1988–1991) → All Honda Prelude generations →
1990 Honda Prelude – front Unverified
Photo: 1990 Honda Prelude 2.0 Si in Champagne, front left by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photos show the third generation (1988–1991); trim, color, and model year may differ.
All photo credits
  1. Photo: 1990 Honda Prelude 2.0 Si in Champagne, front left by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. Photo: Honda Prelude 1 by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  3. Photo: Honda Prelude x2 (53081250050) by Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  4. Photo: 1990 Honda Prelude 2.0 Si in Champagne, rear left by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  5. Photo: 1988 Honda Prelude MDG071A-Dashboard by ZidaneHartono, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 1990 Honda Prelude 2.1 Si 5MT is a 2.1-liter inline-4 sports coupe with a 5-speed manual and front-wheel drive. It starts at $17,175 MSRP and is rated at 21 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway (21 mpg combined).

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeCoupe
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$17,175 ($42,708 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.1L inline-4, fuel injection
Displacement2.1 L
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive (FWD)
Transmission
Transmission5-Speed Manual
Fuel Economy
City19 MPG
Highway24 MPG
Combined21 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Unleaded
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 1990 Honda Prelude 2-DR.

Recalls

1 recall on file with NHTSA for the 1990 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

4 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1990 Honda PRELUDE

Owner Complaints

4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1990 Honda PRELUDE (1 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Seat Belts2
Engine And Engine Cooling1
Equipment1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Dec 13, 2000 · Seat Belts 1 injury
“DURING COLLISION THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR SIDE AND THE CAR DOOR CAME OPEN AND THE DRIVER WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT BELT WAS ATTACHED TO THE DOOR BUT WAS STILL INTACT IN THE…”
Nov 3, 1997 · Engine And Engine Cooling
“ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD FAILED.”
Jun 1, 1995 · Equipment
“OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATES FOR CSS INSTALLATION IT REQUIRES SPECIAL LAP BELT ATTACHMENT TO SECURE CSS TO VEHICLE. TT”
Feb 23, 1995 · Seat Belts
“DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION, HARD TO LATCH SAFETY BELTS. TT”

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 1990 HONDA PRELUDE. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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