NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
66 reports50,300 miles · Mar 27, 2008
Power Train
I HAVE A 1997 PRELUDE THAT HAS HAD 1 TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN NOV. OF 2005 & IT WAS REBUILT. IT CURRENT IS FAILING THE SAME WAY THE FIRST TRANSMISSION FAILED. IT IS MAKING NOISE & STARTING TO SLIP WHEN IT IS COLD. $1700 TO FIX THE 1ST TRANSMISSION BY A TRANS SHOP. I AM JOINING A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IF IT IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF FR…
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I HAVE A 1997 PRELUDE THAT HAS HAD 1 TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN NOV. OF 2005 & IT WAS REBUILT. IT CURRENT IS FAILING THE SAME WAY THE FIRST TRANSMISSION FAILED. IT IS MAKING NOISE & STARTING TO SLIP WHEN IT IS COLD. $1700 TO FIX THE 1ST TRANSMISSION BY A TRANS SHOP. I AM JOINING A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IF IT IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF FROM HONDA. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10222472
180,000 miles · Feb 16, 2008
Power Train
MY 1997 HONDA PRELUDE SPORTS SHIFT AUTO TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NOW IT NEEDS TO BE TOWED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10218189
169,841 miles · Jan 30, 2008
Power Train
I RECENTLY BOUGHT MY HONDA PRELUDE BACK IN NOVEMBER 18, 2007 FROM A USED DEALERSHIP. THE CAR CAME WITH 167K MILES AND NOW I'M AT 169K. THE MAIN REASON WHY I AM FILING A COMPLAINT, IS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. I TAKE MY CAR TO WORK, SCHOOL, DRIVE MY MOM TO WORK, AND EVEN MY YOUNGER BROTHER TO SCHOOL. THIS IS THE ON…
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I RECENTLY BOUGHT MY HONDA PRELUDE BACK IN NOVEMBER 18, 2007 FROM A USED DEALERSHIP. THE CAR CAME WITH 167K MILES AND NOW I'M AT 169K. THE MAIN REASON WHY I AM FILING A COMPLAINT, IS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. I TAKE MY CAR TO WORK, SCHOOL, DRIVE MY MOM TO WORK, AND EVEN MY YOUNGER BROTHER TO SCHOOL. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR WE HAVE. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS AT LOW RPMS FROM 1K-3K IN 1ST-2ND GEAR. I'VE DONE RESEARCH ON 97-01 HONDA PRELUDES AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS THE MOST FAILS. IF MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GOES OUT I WOULDN'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO REPLACE IT WHILE I'M STILL PAYING FOR INSURANCE AND MONTHLY PAYMENTS. I BELIEVE THAT HONDA SHOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT COST EVEN WITH CARS WITHOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. ALSO I HEAR THAT THE 99-01 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE STRONGER THAN THE 97-98 YEARS AND WERE ALSO GIVEN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE 99-01 YEARS WITH UNDER 100K MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10216545
72,900 miles · Apr 23, 2006
Electrical System
THE CAR STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON HIGHWAY DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH. THE IGNITION SWITCHED WAS REPLACED IN OCT 2003 AS PART OF A RECALL YET FAILED LESS THAN 3 YEARS LATER. "MAKE : HONDA MODEL : PRELUDE YEAR : 1997 MANUFACTURER : AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V120000 RECALL DATE : MAY 13, 2002 COM…
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THE CAR STALLED WITHOUT WARNING ON HIGHWAY DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH. THE IGNITION SWITCHED WAS REPLACED IN OCT 2003 AS PART OF A RECALL YET FAILED LESS THAN 3 YEARS LATER. "MAKE : HONDA MODEL : PRELUDE YEAR : 1997 MANUFACTURER : AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V120000 RECALL DATE : MAY 13, 2002 COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH" *NM
NHTSA ODI #10155902
97,000 miles · Feb 3, 2006
Exterior LightingParking BrakePower Train
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS IN 1997 HONDA PRELUDES ARE WEAK AND FAIL EASY. THE REASON IS CHEAP PARTS AND METALS IN THE TRANSMISSIONS THEMSELVES. THE 97 PRELUDES WERE RECALLED IN TURKEY, AND REPLACED WITH A NEW M6HA UNIT. MINE IS CONSTANTLY SLIPPING AND TEARING UP. I'M LOOKING AT A CONSTANT PROBLEM THAT COSTS A LOT OF MONEY. …
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THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS IN 1997 HONDA PRELUDES ARE WEAK AND FAIL EASY. THE REASON IS CHEAP PARTS AND METALS IN THE TRANSMISSIONS THEMSELVES. THE 97 PRELUDES WERE RECALLED IN TURKEY, AND REPLACED WITH A NEW M6HA UNIT. MINE IS CONSTANTLY SLIPPING AND TEARING UP. I'M LOOKING AT A CONSTANT PROBLEM THAT COSTS A LOT OF MONEY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR ITS QUALITY AND PRESTIGE IN THE HONDA WORLD, BUT DUE TO THE LACK OF QUALITY AND WORKMANSHIP IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, MY OPINION OF PRELUDES HAS DRASTICALLY DROPPED. I WOULD NOT CARE IF I HAD AN AUTOMATIC OR A MANUAL, I JUST WANT A CAR THAT WORKS LIKE THE HONDA COMPANY LACKED TO MAKE IT. THANK YOU. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10149356
80,034 miles · Oct 6, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER HAS HAD RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH OIL LEAKING EACH TIME THEY HAVE REPAIRED DIFFERENT PARTS ON THE VEHICLE AND IT STILL PERSIST. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOUR TIMES FROM MAY 2003- OCTOBER 2003 FOR OIL LEAKAGE. THEY CHANGED THE OIL AND FILTER AND ON THE LAST DATE CLAIMED THAT THE SEALS WERE PROBABLY LEAKING.…
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CONSUMER HAS HAD RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH OIL LEAKING EACH TIME THEY HAVE REPAIRED DIFFERENT PARTS ON THE VEHICLE AND IT STILL PERSIST. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOUR TIMES FROM MAY 2003- OCTOBER 2003 FOR OIL LEAKAGE. THEY CHANGED THE OIL AND FILTER AND ON THE LAST DATE CLAIMED THAT THE SEALS WERE PROBABLY LEAKING. AFTER EACH OCCASION THE CONSUMER WAS ASSURED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. ON DECEMBER 20, 2004 THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD CRACKING SOUND WHILE DRIVING. SHE PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION WHO POPPED THE HOOD AND NOTICED OIL LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LACK OF OIL. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10139911
138,701 miles · Sep 27, 2005
Electrical SystemEquipment
DT: THE CONSUMER HAD RECALL 05V018000 REPAIR WORK COMPLETED ON FRIDAY. THE RECALL INVOLVED THE IGNITION SWITCH.. ON SUNDAY SHE NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT WORK. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE BLOWER WAS OUT ON THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WOULD BE $489.00. THE CONSUMER F…
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DT: THE CONSUMER HAD RECALL 05V018000 REPAIR WORK COMPLETED ON FRIDAY. THE RECALL INVOLVED THE IGNITION SWITCH.. ON SUNDAY SHE NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT WORK. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE BLOWER WAS OUT ON THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WOULD BE $489.00. THE CONSUMER FELT THIS PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL REPAIR WORK THAT HAD BEEN COMPLETED ON FRIDAY. SHE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FROM 8AM TO 12:15 PM BEFORE THE DEALER FINISHED INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10137845
67,000 miles · May 25, 2005
Power Train
1997 HONDA PRELUDE WITH ONLY 67,000 MILES. STARTED TO MAKE A MINOR BUZZING NOISE WHEN IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. TOOK IT TO MY INDEPENDENT HONDA MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT I HAD A BEARING GOING IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT WOULD REQUIRE A REBUILD OF THE TRANSMISSION. COST $3,900. HE SUGGESTED THAT I SELL THE CAR QUICKLY AS IT WASN'T WOR…
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1997 HONDA PRELUDE WITH ONLY 67,000 MILES. STARTED TO MAKE A MINOR BUZZING NOISE WHEN IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. TOOK IT TO MY INDEPENDENT HONDA MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT I HAD A BEARING GOING IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT WOULD REQUIRE A REBUILD OF THE TRANSMISSION. COST $3,900. HE SUGGESTED THAT I SELL THE CAR QUICKLY AS IT WASN'T WORTH THE COST OF REPAIRS. THAT'S WHAT I DID. SOLD IT TO A HONDA DEALERSHIP. HONDA NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. NO MORE HONDAS FOR ME.
NHTSA ODI #10122164
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR A HONDA RECALL 11108, RECALL REPAIRS FAILED, IT WAS LEAKING OIL. DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER, SORRY WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10089120
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2004
Power Train
1997 HONDA PRELUDE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. HONDA REFUSES TO ASSIST CONSUMERS WITH FAULTY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS INHERENT IN THE VEHICLES. TRANS WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR, OR NOT ENGAGE WHEN ENTERING FREEWAY, CAUSING A DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING CONDITION. WHEN SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS, AMERICAN HONDA WILL …
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1997 HONDA PRELUDE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. HONDA REFUSES TO ASSIST CONSUMERS WITH FAULTY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS INHERENT IN THE VEHICLES. TRANS WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR, OR NOT ENGAGE WHEN ENTERING FREEWAY, CAUSING A DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING CONDITION. WHEN SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS, AMERICAN HONDA WILL THEN BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE HORRIBLE CARS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10082682
Official recalls
3Jan 28, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTERLOCK OPERATION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT SHIFT TO PARK BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT CONFIRMS INTERLOCK FUNCTION. VEHICLES WILL BE UPDATED WITH A REDESIGNED INTERLOCK LEVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
May 16, 2002
ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
May 10, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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