1989 Honda Prelude Service and Repair Manual
This factory service and repair manual for the 1989 Honda Prelude is built around the exact trim you own, so the specifications, adjustment values and repair sequences inside are the ones Honda published for your car, not a generic Prelude-era approximation.
Engines covered
- 2.0L inline-four — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 2.0L inline-four — SOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 2-door coupe
Trims covered
- 2.0 S
- 2.0 Si
- 2.0 Si 4WS
Known issues on the 1989 Prelude. One recall is on federal record for this model year, covering the front seat belt buckle assembly: the red plastic release buttons marked "PRESS" can break, and broken pieces falling into the buckle can cause it to operate improperly, so the belt would not provide adequate protection in a crash. Owners have filed 28 complaints for the year, and no technical service bulletins are logged. The factory diagnostic and repair procedures behind that system are here.
Whether you're inspecting a front seat belt buckle or working through a routine service interval, it keeps you on the OEM procedure and the correct specification for your specific 1989 Prelude.
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
THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES. CAREFULL
SOON AFTER PARKING VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS DUE TO FAULTY WIRES. CONSUMER CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA, AND THEY SENT CONSUMER TO A DEALER SHIP. BUT DEALERSHIP SAID THAT P
THE ENGINE TIMING BELT BROKE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (@55MPH) ON THE US 20 BYPASS, A LOCAL 2-LANE EXPRESSWAY. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION A
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES ENGAGE AND APPEAR TO HOLD; BUT BUCKLES RELEASE UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO BELTS. *AK
SAME PROBLEM AS 1988 MODEL YEAR RECALL. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) FOUND IN SUMMARY. *AK
POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED. THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE SAME HOSE ON 1988, WHICH ARE IDENTICAL TO THE 1989 MODEL. *ET
Showing the 5 most serious of 34 complaints filed with NHTSA.
