IllustrationCONSUMER STATES THAT DEALERSHIP WILL REMOVE ALARM SYSTEM TO DO RECALL, BUT WILL CHARGE TO RECONNECT IT. MR
1997 Honda Prelude
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Prelude years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
225–50K
650–75K
1175–100K
7100–150K
5150K+
32 reports with mileage · 34 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
66 reportsWHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD, THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCES A DELAYED ABRUPT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND, 2ND TO 3RD, 4TH TO 3RD, AND 3RD TO 2ND, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT ABRUPTLY (SOMETIMES DELAYED) UNTIL THE CAR WARMS UP. THIS MADE TURNING ONTO BUSY ROADS DIFFICULT AS I WAS NEVER SURE HOW LONG THE SHIFTS WOULD…
Read full complaint
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COLD, THE TRANSMISSION EXPERIENCES A DELAYED ABRUPT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND, 2ND TO 3RD, 4TH TO 3RD, AND 3RD TO 2ND, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT ABRUPTLY (SOMETIMES DELAYED) UNTIL THE CAR WARMS UP. THIS MADE TURNING ONTO BUSY ROADS DIFFICULT AS I WAS NEVER SURE HOW LONG THE SHIFTS WOULD TAKE. HONDA NEVER IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM. THEIR ONLY SOLUTION WAS A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. HONDA AMERICA PROVIDED THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION (GOODWILL ASSISTANCE), BUT I WAS REQUIRED TO PAY LABOR (~$380). THE PROBLEM NOW APPEARS TO BE FIXED. NLM
BULGE DISCOVERED ON RIGHT FRONT ORIGINAL TIRE. STEEL BELTS PROTRUDING THROUGH SIDEWALL OF LEFT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR TIRES. ALL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT AS THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION UNDER MERE NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THESE TIRES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE.*AK (TIRESIZE: P20550R16)
WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO STOP VEHICLE GRADUALLY SLOWS DOWN. THEN, WOULD JERK FORWARD 2-3 FEET. NEEDS TO KEEP A GOOD DISTANCE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN ABOUT TO STOP, NOT HIT OTHER VEHICLE. ABS LIGHT REMAINS ON AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED. *AK
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING EXTREMELY HARSHLY. ON UPSHIFT THE CAR WILL SQUEAL THE TIRES CAUSING OBVIOUS CONTROL PROBLEMS. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, OR ON WET PAVEMENT OR SLICK ROADS, AS CAR IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL ON UPSHIFT. DEALER SAYS CAR NEEDS REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. I HAVE …
Read full complaint
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING EXTREMELY HARSHLY. ON UPSHIFT THE CAR WILL SQUEAL THE TIRES CAUSING OBVIOUS CONTROL PROBLEMS. THIS POSES A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, OR ON WET PAVEMENT OR SLICK ROADS, AS CAR IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL ON UPSHIFT. DEALER SAYS CAR NEEDS REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS (TRANSMISSION FAILURES) TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH HONDA PRELUDES OF THIS GENERATION, AS WELL AS ACCURAS OF SIMILAR VINTAGE. I HAVE UNCOVERED INFORMATION THAT HONDA HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME AND DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT. I CONTACTED HONDA CONSUMER SERVICE AND THEY WOULD NOT DISCUSS WITH ME. I FEEL HONDA SHOULD RECALL THESE CARS FOR THIS POTENTAILLY DANGEROUS DEFECT.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
AUTO TRANSMISSION FAILED PREMATURELY. 8 OTHER REPORTS FILED TO NHTSA, MORE THAN 20 OTHERS HAVE SIMILIAR COMPLAINTS OF TRANSMISSIONS FAILING AT WWW.HONDAPRELUDE.COM. SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY HONDA RECOGNISES THE PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO REPAIR THE DEFECT.
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH ONLY 60,000. DEALERSHIP CANNOT GIVE REASON OTHER THAN "SOMETIMES THEY JUST FALL APART". DEALERSHIP ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PRELUDES ARE DESIGNED TO GO OVER 200,000 MILES. HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE AND RESULT WAS CONVERTER COLLASPED AND DESTROYED TRANSMISSION. "SOMETIMES THEY JUST …
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH ONLY 60,000. DEALERSHIP CANNOT GIVE REASON OTHER THAN "SOMETIMES THEY JUST FALL APART". DEALERSHIP ALSO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PRELUDES ARE DESIGNED TO GO OVER 200,000 MILES. HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE AND RESULT WAS CONVERTER COLLASPED AND DESTROYED TRANSMISSION. "SOMETIMES THEY JUST FALL APART" IS A VERY EXPENSIVE ANSWER FOR A CAR WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES.*AK
WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP INTO NEUTRAL WHILE SHIFTING FROM GEAR TO GEAR. WHILE UNDER ANY KIND OF ACCELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE WILL CLIMB RPMS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES, CAUSING IT TO SLAM INTO GEAR. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AT A STOP,…
Read full complaint
WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP INTO NEUTRAL WHILE SHIFTING FROM GEAR TO GEAR. WHILE UNDER ANY KIND OF ACCELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE WILL CLIMB RPMS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES, CAUSING IT TO SLAM INTO GEAR. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL AT A STOP, CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUTTER AND DIE IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS. DEALER IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT REFUSING TO FIX IT. *AK
WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, AND THEN FROM THIRD TO FOURTH, EXTREME HESITATION OCCURS. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Official recalls
305V025000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Jan 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.
02V120000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
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.
99V069000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE05002 · IGNITION-PARK Interlock
Opened Jan 13, 2005 · Closed Feb 2, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:ignition:switch
THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS ARE FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 - 2001 HONDA ACCORD MODELS THAT WERE NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF A RELATED HONDA RECALL ACTION (NHTSA 03V423); THESE VEHICLES WERE INVESTIGATED BY ODI UNDER DEFECT PETITION (DP) 04-006.COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR OTHER MODELS AND MODEL YEARS WAS NOT OBTAINED BY ODI.THE NOTED POPULATION INDICATES THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES (INCLUDING THE MY 2002 ACCORD PLUS THE PRELUDE AND TL MODELS) THAT ARE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF HONDA?S NEW RECALL (NHTSA 05V-025, HONDA P68, P69); 402,525 OF THESE WERE INVESTIGATED IN DP04-006.SEEPART 573 DOCUMENTS RELATED TO 05V-025 FOR FURTHER DETAIL ON OTHER MODELS AND MYS.ODI NOTES THAT, ACCORDING TO HONDA?S ANALYSIS, INTERLOCK SYSTEM WARRANTY RATES FOR THE TL AND PRELUDE MODELS INVOLVED IN 05V-025 ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE ACCORD MODELS.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY HONDA DURING DP04-006 INDICATES THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES CONTAINING INTERLOCK SYSTEMS MADE BY ITS JAPANESE LOCK MANUFACTURING FACILITY MAY CONTAIN DEFECTIVE INTERNAL COMPONENTS.IN COMBINATION WITH CERTAIN WEAR AND USAGE FACTORS, THIS MAY LEAD TO A CONDITION THAT PREVENTS THE SYSTEM FROM BLOCKING REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK.IF THE DRIVER LEAVES THE TRANSMISSION IN A NON-PARK POSITION AND FAILS TO SET THE HAND BRAKE WHEN PARKING, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND CRASH.INTERLOCK SYSTEMS MANUFACTURED BY HONDA?S U.S. LOCK MANUFACTURER DO NOT APPEAR TO CONTAIN THIS DEFECT AND ARE THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ACTION. IN A LETTER DATED JANUARY 27, 2005, HONDA ADVISED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO EITHER UPGRADE (FOR OPERATIVE SYSTEMS) OR REPAIR (FOR INOPERATIVE SYSTEMS) SUBJECT INTERLOCK SYSTEMS WITH NEW DESIGN LEVEL COMPONENTS THAT DO NOT CONTAIN THE DEFECT.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Electrical System
THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS ARE FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 - 2001 HONDA ACCORD MODELS THAT WERE NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF A RELATED HONDA RECALL ACTION (NHTSA 03V423); THESE VEHICLES WERE INVESTIGATED BY ODI UNDER DEFECT PETITION (DP) 04-006.COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR OTHER MODELS AND MODEL YEARS WAS NOT OBTAINED BY ODI.THE NOTED POPULATION INDICATES THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES (INCLUDING THE MY 2002 ACCORD PLUS THE PRELUDE AND TL MODELS) THAT ARE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF HONDA?S NEW RECALL (NHTSA 05V-025, HONDA P68, P69); 402,525 OF THESE WERE INVESTIGATED IN DP04-006.SEEPART 573 DOCUMENTS RELATED TO 05V-025 FOR FURTHER DETAIL ON OTHER MODELS AND MYS.ODI NOTES THAT, ACCORDING TO HONDA?S ANALYSIS, INTERLOCK SYSTEM WARRANTY RATES FOR THE TL AND PRELUDE MODELS INVOLVED IN 05V-025 ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE ACCORD MODELS.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY HONDA DURING DP04-006 INDICATES THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES CONTAINING INTERLOCK SYSTEMS MADE BY ITS JAPANESE LOCK MANUFACTURING FACILITY MAY CONTAIN DEFECTIVE INTERNAL COMPONENTS.IN COMBINATION WITH CERTAIN WEAR AND USAGE FACTORS, THIS MAY LEAD TO A CONDITION THAT PREVENTS THE SYSTEM FROM BLOCKING REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK.IF THE DRIVER LEAVES THE TRANSMISSION IN A NON-PARK POSITION AND FAILS TO SET THE HAND BRAKE WHEN PARKING, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND CRASH.INTERLOCK SYSTEMS MANUFACTURED BY HONDA?S U.S. LOCK MANUFACTURER DO NOT APPEAR TO CONTAIN THIS DEFECT AND ARE THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ACTION. IN A LETTER DATED JANUARY 27, 2005, HONDA ADVISED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO EITHER UPGRADE (FOR OPERATIVE SYSTEMS) OR REPAIR (FOR INOPERATIVE SYSTEMS) SUBJECT INTERLOCK SYSTEMS WITH NEW DESIGN LEVEL COMPONENTS THAT DO NOT CONTAIN THE DEFECT.
Electrical System:ignition
THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS ARE FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 - 2001 HONDA ACCORD MODELS THAT WERE NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF A RELATED HONDA RECALL ACTION (NHTSA 03V423); THESE VEHICLES WERE INVESTIGATED BY ODI UNDER DEFECT PETITION (DP) 04-006.COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR OTHER MODELS AND MODEL YEARS WAS NOT OBTAINED BY ODI.THE NOTED POPULATION INDICATES THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES (INCLUDING THE MY 2002 ACCORD PLUS THE PRELUDE AND TL MODELS) THAT ARE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF HONDA?S NEW RECALL (NHTSA 05V-025, HONDA P68, P69); 402,525 OF THESE WERE INVESTIGATED IN DP04-006.SEEPART 573 DOCUMENTS RELATED TO 05V-025 FOR FURTHER DETAIL ON OTHER MODELS AND MYS.ODI NOTES THAT, ACCORDING TO HONDA?S ANALYSIS, INTERLOCK SYSTEM WARRANTY RATES FOR THE TL AND PRELUDE MODELS INVOLVED IN 05V-025 ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE ACCORD MODELS.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY HONDA DURING DP04-006 INDICATES THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES CONTAINING INTERLOCK SYSTEMS MADE BY ITS JAPANESE LOCK MANUFACTURING FACILITY MAY CONTAIN DEFECTIVE INTERNAL COMPONENTS.IN COMBINATION WITH CERTAIN WEAR AND USAGE FACTORS, THIS MAY LEAD TO A CONDITION THAT PREVENTS THE SYSTEM FROM BLOCKING REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK.IF THE DRIVER LEAVES THE TRANSMISSION IN A NON-PARK POSITION AND FAILS TO SET THE HAND BRAKE WHEN PARKING, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND CRASH.INTERLOCK SYSTEMS MANUFACTURED BY HONDA?S U.S. LOCK MANUFACTURER DO NOT APPEAR TO CONTAIN THIS DEFECT AND ARE THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ACTION. IN A LETTER DATED JANUARY 27, 2005, HONDA ADVISED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO EITHER UPGRADE (FOR OPERATIVE SYSTEMS) OR REPAIR (FOR INOPERATIVE SYSTEMS) SUBJECT INTERLOCK SYSTEMS WITH NEW DESIGN LEVEL COMPONENTS THAT DO NOT CONTAIN THE DEFECT.
Electrical System:ignition:switch
THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS ARE FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 - 2001 HONDA ACCORD MODELS THAT WERE NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF A RELATED HONDA RECALL ACTION (NHTSA 03V423); THESE VEHICLES WERE INVESTIGATED BY ODI UNDER DEFECT PETITION (DP) 04-006.COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR OTHER MODELS AND MODEL YEARS WAS NOT OBTAINED BY ODI.THE NOTED POPULATION INDICATES THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES (INCLUDING THE MY 2002 ACCORD PLUS THE PRELUDE AND TL MODELS) THAT ARE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF HONDA?S NEW RECALL (NHTSA 05V-025, HONDA P68, P69); 402,525 OF THESE WERE INVESTIGATED IN DP04-006.SEEPART 573 DOCUMENTS RELATED TO 05V-025 FOR FURTHER DETAIL ON OTHER MODELS AND MYS.ODI NOTES THAT, ACCORDING TO HONDA?S ANALYSIS, INTERLOCK SYSTEM WARRANTY RATES FOR THE TL AND PRELUDE MODELS INVOLVED IN 05V-025 ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE ACCORD MODELS.INFORMATION PROVIDED BY HONDA DURING DP04-006 INDICATES THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES CONTAINING INTERLOCK SYSTEMS MADE BY ITS JAPANESE LOCK MANUFACTURING FACILITY MAY CONTAIN DEFECTIVE INTERNAL COMPONENTS.IN COMBINATION WITH CERTAIN WEAR AND USAGE FACTORS, THIS MAY LEAD TO A CONDITION THAT PREVENTS THE SYSTEM FROM BLOCKING REMOVAL OF THE IGNITION KEY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK.IF THE DRIVER LEAVES THE TRANSMISSION IN A NON-PARK POSITION AND FAILS TO SET THE HAND BRAKE WHEN PARKING, THE VEHICLE MAY ROLL AWAY AND CRASH.INTERLOCK SYSTEMS MANUFACTURED BY HONDA?S U.S. LOCK MANUFACTURER DO NOT APPEAR TO CONTAIN THIS DEFECT AND ARE THEREFORE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ACTION. IN A LETTER DATED JANUARY 27, 2005, HONDA ADVISED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL TO EITHER UPGRADE (FOR OPERATIVE SYSTEMS) OR REPAIR (FOR INOPERATIVE SYSTEMS) SUBJECT INTERLOCK SYSTEMS WITH NEW DESIGN LEVEL COMPONENTS THAT DO NOT CONTAIN THE DEFECT.