NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
31 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 22, 2023
Electrical SystemPower Train
This is the first time I had to replace the transmission at 65867 miles on it, Well I was driving down to the street one day and then it's started to Slip In. and out of a gear And the next day I tried to pull out Of. my driveway The transmission is bad and Honda knows this, the second time it is now 186573 miles on the second t…
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This is the first time I had to replace the transmission at 65867 miles on it, Well I was driving down to the street one day and then it's started to Slip In. and out of a gear And the next day I tried to pull out Of. my driveway The transmission is bad and Honda knows this, the second time it is now 186573 miles on the second transmission.
NHTSA ODI #11528431
160,000 miles · Dec 26, 2017
Electrical SystemPower Train
HONDA RECALL HONDA PARTS DEFECTIVE OR POOR WORKMANSHIP. HONDA DEALERSHIP IN JASPER, ALABAMA IS NOT HONORING REPLACEMENT OF KNOWN DEFECTIVE PARTS ON MY 1998 HONDA PRELUDE. THE FOLLOWING INCLUDES KNOWN DEFECTIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, KNOWN DEFECTIVE IGNITION MODULE/SWITCH/IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEMS. ALL THREE HAVE FAILED COMPL…
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HONDA RECALL HONDA PARTS DEFECTIVE OR POOR WORKMANSHIP. HONDA DEALERSHIP IN JASPER, ALABAMA IS NOT HONORING REPLACEMENT OF KNOWN DEFECTIVE PARTS ON MY 1998 HONDA PRELUDE. THE FOLLOWING INCLUDES KNOWN DEFECTIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, KNOWN DEFECTIVE IGNITION MODULE/SWITCH/IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEMS. ALL THREE HAVE FAILED COMPLETELY AND OR ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FAILING. MY VEHICLE IS UNSAFE IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD SOMETIMES NOT RESTARTING. THE KEY WILL SWITCH TO OFF POSITION AND COME OUT WHILE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN PARK WITH THE E-BRAKE NOT PULLED. MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING ALL THE FAULTS STATED IN NUMEROUS REPORTS ON THIS WEBSITE AND IN HONDAS OWN RECALLS. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND HUNDREDS OFF PEOPLE SUFFER FROM THESE SAME PROBLEMS THAT HONDA WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IS FAULTY/DEFECTIVE/HAS POOR WORKMANSHIP ON THE 1997-1998 MODELS. THERE OWN NEGLIGENCE HAS ALLOWED MANY AFFECTED YEAR MODEL PARTS TO BE INSTALLED, THEY ARE REFUSING TO HONOR STATED WARRANTY PRINTED IN ALL OWNERS MANUALS. A INVESTIGATION FOR THESE MODEL YEARS ARE NEEDED AS IT IS COSTING PEOPLE THOUSANDS OF OUT OF POCKET DOLLARS TO THIS VERY DAY INCLUDING MYSELF ALONG LOST WAGES. VEHICLE BREAK DOWNS NOT ALLOWING TO MAKE IT TO WORK. I ALSO EXPECT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL COSTS OUT OF POCKET FROM SAID FAULTS WHICH I BET HONDA SHALL NOT EVEN THOUGH ITS STATED THEY WILL IN THERE WARRANTY AND OWNERS MANUALS FOR 1997-1998 HONDA PRELUDE. I HAVE INCLUDED ATTACHMENTS OF MULTIPLE CASES FURTHER REITERATING THIS IS INDEED A DEFECT AND OR POOR WORKMANSHIP OF THESE VEHICLES AND SAID PARTS. AS A NOTE MY 1998 HONDA PRELUDE HAS LESS THAN 190,000 MILES ON ALL THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT THAT IS FAILING SO MILEAGE CAN BE TAKEN OUT OF THE EQUATION AS MOST VEHICLES NEVER EXPERIENCE THIS AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS AND MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THIS MAGNITUDE IN THAT WINDOW. I'M CALLING IN THE LEMON LAW IF APPLICABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11056532
120,000 miles · Feb 18, 2011
Power Train
ON MY THIRD TRANSMISSION FOR THIS CAR, I HAVE BECOME SCARED TO DRIVE IT. WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS MY TRANSMISSION WILL RANDOMLY CHOOSE WHEN TO ENGAGE IN THE CORRECT GEAR. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CLOSE ACCIDENTS IN THIS CAR AND I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO MAKE LEFT TURNS. THIS HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY AT TIMES AND I AM UNABLE TO PULL OVER AT…
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ON MY THIRD TRANSMISSION FOR THIS CAR, I HAVE BECOME SCARED TO DRIVE IT. WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS MY TRANSMISSION WILL RANDOMLY CHOOSE WHEN TO ENGAGE IN THE CORRECT GEAR. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CLOSE ACCIDENTS IN THIS CAR AND I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO MAKE LEFT TURNS. THIS HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY AT TIMES AND I AM UNABLE TO PULL OVER AT A SAFE SPEED BECAUSE THIS MODELS TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND I FEEL CHEATED AND UN-SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. *LN
NHTSA ODI #10383264
150,000 miles · Feb 15, 2009
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO STOP WORKING IN D(DRIVE) MODE. I HAD TO USE THE MANUAL/ AUTOSTICK TO GET THE CAR TO DRIVE. THERE WAS NO IMPROVEMENT IN THE SHIFTING. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE A 5 SPEED SWAP DONE AT A PERFORMANCE SHOP. THIS IS MY 3RD HONDA THAT HAS HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258703
65,000 miles · Aug 23, 2008
Power Train
THE AUTOMATIC SPORT SHIFT TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO FAIL. THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARD (JOLTS) THROUGHOUT ALL THE GEARS. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY CAR ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS A PREMATURE MALFUNCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR IS METICULOUSLY CARED FOR, REGULARLY MAINTAI…
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THE AUTOMATIC SPORT SHIFT TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO FAIL. THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARD (JOLTS) THROUGHOUT ALL THE GEARS. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY CAR ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS A PREMATURE MALFUNCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR IS METICULOUSLY CARED FOR, REGULARLY MAINTAINED, OIL CHANGED REGULARLY; TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGED EVERY THIRD OIL CHANGE TO AVOID TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CAR IS NEVER RACED OR REDLINED. I ALSO DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE REPLACING A TRANSMISSION THAT WILL FAIL ONCE AGAIN AS WITH MANY PRELUDE OWNERS. THE HONDA PRELUDE COSTS ABOUT $25,000 AND THUS A $4,000 TRANSMISSION JOB IS 20% OF THE CAR. JUST PLAIN UNREASONABLE!!! THIS HAS BECOME A FINANCIALLY BURDENSOME SITUATION. FURTHERMORE, HONDA HAS RECALLED ALL 1997 PRELUDES IN TURKEY AND HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSIONS WITH UPDATED MH6A UNITS. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE!!! PLEASE, YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER IS GREATLY NEEDED. THANKS *TR
NHTSA ODI #10239461
115,320 miles · Apr 8, 2008
Power TrainCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA PRELUDE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE IN HER DRIVEWAY, REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE RETURNED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT WAS DRAGGED BY THE VEHICLE, BUT SHE WAS ABLE TO LET GO AND ROLL ON THE PAVEMENT. THE VE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA PRELUDE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE IN HER DRIVEWAY, REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE RETURNED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT WAS DRAGGED BY THE VEHICLE, BUT SHE WAS ABLE TO LET GO AND ROLL ON THE PAVEMENT. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE MAILBOX AND CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT STRUCK A POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON JANUARY 30, 2006 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V025000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). THE MANUFACTURER WANTS THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE AND NOTIFY THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT WITH THE RESULTS. THE CONTACT SUSTAIN INJURIES TO HER LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE POWERTRAIN AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,320.
NHTSA ODI #10223692
134,000 miles · Feb 25, 2008
Power Train
1998 HONDA PRELUDE W/ SEQUENTIAL SHIFT AUTOMATIC. THE VEHICLE HAS 135,000 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED. AFTER SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, I FOUND MANY PEOPLE REPORTING TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. I EVEN FOUND THAT HONDA HAS RECALLED THE PRELUDE'S IN TURKEY FOR THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT HAS NOT IN THE US. …
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1998 HONDA PRELUDE W/ SEQUENTIAL SHIFT AUTOMATIC. THE VEHICLE HAS 135,000 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED. AFTER SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, I FOUND MANY PEOPLE REPORTING TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. I EVEN FOUND THAT HONDA HAS RECALLED THE PRELUDE'S IN TURKEY FOR THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT HAS NOT IN THE US. THE REPAIRS COST APPROXIMATELY $2,800. WHY WAS THIS RECALL FACILITATED ON THE SAME VEHICLE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, BUT NOT IN THE US? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10219094
118,000 miles · Jan 26, 2007
Power Train
MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING ON ME THEN IT STARTED SHIFTING DOWN TO SECOND THEN BACK TO FOURTH THEN BACK TO SECOND. I PULLED OVER AND NOW IT SEEMS TO BE STUCK IN SECOND GEAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE COOLED DOWN THEN IT WAS FINE FOR A SHORT WHILE THEN IT STARTED SHIFTING SPORADICALLY. IT SLIPS IN REVERSE ALSO. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10180843
86,000 miles · Mar 14, 2006
Power Train
THE AUTOMATIC SPORT SHIFT TRANSMISSION FAILED IN AUGUST OF 05, AND IT WAS REPLACED WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS STARTING TO FAIL AGAIN, I DO NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO REPLACE THIS TRANSMISSION AGAIN IF IT FAILS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND NEVER RED-LINED, ALWAYS OIL CHANGED AT 3000 MILES, ETC.…
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THE AUTOMATIC SPORT SHIFT TRANSMISSION FAILED IN AUGUST OF 05, AND IT WAS REPLACED WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS STARTING TO FAIL AGAIN, I DO NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO REPLACE THIS TRANSMISSION AGAIN IF IT FAILS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND NEVER RED-LINED, ALWAYS OIL CHANGED AT 3000 MILES, ETC. I FEEL THIS TRANSMISSION IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THAT HONDA SHOULD REPLACE THIS TRANSMISSION WITH ONE THAT IS SAFE AND RELIABLE, NOT THE CURRENT ONE, WHICH I FEEL IS A DANGER TO ALL PRELUDE OWNERS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10152652
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2005
Power Train
IT HAS BEEN KNOWN THAT HONDA PRELUDE 1997-1999 TRANSMISSIONS ARE FAULTY. MINE FAILED YESTERDAY DURING A NORMAL TRIP ON A FREE WAY. GEARS SLIPPED AND A STRONG SMELL WAS NOTICEABLE INSIDE THE CAR. TO AVOID ANY EMERGENCY SITUATION I HAD TO PARK MY CAR ON THE SHOULDER IMMEDIATELY AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10132688
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 ↗