Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 14 of 31 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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 8 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 →
Engine And Engine Cooling. 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
31 reports
67,067 miles · Dec 23, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A BROKEN CAM SEAL WHICH ALLOWED OIL TO LEAK FROM THE ENGINE. NM THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE EXIT AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE DEALER PERFORMED A SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CHECK UP AND OIL CHANGE ON THE VEHICLE 10 W…
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THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A BROKEN CAM SEAL WHICH ALLOWED OIL TO LEAK FROM THE ENGINE. NM THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE EXIT AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE DEALER PERFORMED A SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CHECK UP AND OIL CHANGE ON THE VEHICLE 10 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE LEAKING CAM SEAL WENT UNDISCOVERED OR UNMENTIONED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BECAUSE THE CONSUMER DROVE A HALF OF A MILE WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. THE TIMING BELT BROKE ON ANOTHER OCCASION CAUSING SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE AND LOSS OF POWER. *TC THE CONSUMER STATED THE CD PLAYER SHUT OFF. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10110870
103,000 miles · Nov 30, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
REPEATED (2 TIMES) SAFETLY RELATED ENGINE MALFUNCTION CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND POWER OF THE VEHICLE. ON NOVEMBER 4, 2004 OWNER OF 1999 HONDA PRELUDE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT NIGHT TIME WHEN SHORTLY AFTERWARDS OWNER'S VEHICLE LOST POWER AND CONTROL FOR THE SECOND TIME ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE'S CAM SEAL BROKE OFF …
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REPEATED (2 TIMES) SAFETLY RELATED ENGINE MALFUNCTION CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND POWER OF THE VEHICLE. ON NOVEMBER 4, 2004 OWNER OF 1999 HONDA PRELUDE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT NIGHT TIME WHEN SHORTLY AFTERWARDS OWNER'S VEHICLE LOST POWER AND CONTROL FOR THE SECOND TIME ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE'S CAM SEAL BROKE OFF LEAKING THE ENGINE OIL OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY OF RT. 80 AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. OWNER'S VEHICLE HAS PROVEN REPEATEDLY TO HAVE SERIOUS ENGINE DEFECTS THAT POSED A RISK TO THE OWNER AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. IN OCTOBER 2002, THE FIRST ENGINE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WHEN THE TIMING BELT BROKE DUE TO A DEFECT WHILE OWNER WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND CONTROL. THE OWNER, A CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT AND OTHER DRIVERS WERE PLACED AT SERIOUS RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH. AS OWNER WAS COVERED UNDER HONDA CARE WHICH EXTENDS THE STANDARD NEW CAR LIMITED WARRANTY UNTIL 100,000 REPAIRS WERE COVERED. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE PARTS WAS NOT DUE IN ANY PART TO OWNER'S NEGLECT OR FAULT AS OWNER. OWNER HAS FOLLOWED EVERY MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE RECOMMENED. OWNER HAS RECORDS TO INDICATE THIS. ALL OF THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED ONLY AT SUSSEX HONDA, IN NEWTON, N.J. THIS OWNER REQUESTED THAT MANUFACTURER REPAIR/REPLACE THE ENGINE AT NO COST TO THE OWNER DUE TO SERIOUS SAFETY RELATED DEFECT IN THE ENGINE. AMERICAN HONDA IHAS DECLINED THE OWNER'S REQUEST TO REPAIR THE SAID VEHICLE AT NO COST TO OWNER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10100766
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2004
Wheels
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER RAN OVER A POTHOLE THAT CAUSED THE TIRE TO DEVELOP A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL. NITTO P215/40ZR17. BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALERSHIP WERE CONTACTED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10068599
28,000 miles · Apr 14, 2004
Power Train
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. ENGINE IDLE WENT UP AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. HOWEVER, MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST IN RESOLVING THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10067126
33,800 miles · Sep 11, 2003
Tires
I HAVE 1999 HONDA PRELUDE THAT CAME WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA P205/50 VR16 RE92 TIRES. THE LEFT REAR TIRE BROKE AWAY FROM THE SIDE WALL. THE CAR (TIRES) HAS ONLY 33,800 MILES ON IT. ALL TIRES SHOW CRACKS ON THE SIDE WALLS. THESE TIRES ARE DANGERIOUS, THE SIDE WALL SHOULD NOT FAIL APART.
NHTSA ODI #10038692
46,000 miles · Mar 8, 2003
Power Train
1999 HONDA PRELUDE SPORT SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 46,000 MILES AND AT A SPEED OF 36 MPH AS DOCUMENTED BY HONDA! I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG AND NEITHER HAS ANY OTHER PRELUDE OWNER AND HONDA WANTS $6,000 DOLLARS OF MY HARD EARNED MONEY! YES THAT'S 1/4 THE TOTAL COST OF THE CAR BRAND NEW! PLEASE HELP. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10010156
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL HEAVILY JERK AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. DEALER NOTIFIED. *MR
NHTSA ODI #8019541
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE EXITING FROM THE PARKING LOT THE ENGINE ACCELERATED INTO A PAASING GEAR THRUST WHICH HURTLED THE VEHICLE INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF A PASSING VEHICLE. HERITAGE HONDA ADMITTED THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. AFTER REPAIRS THE VEHICLE SURGED AGAIN AS CONSUMER GENTLY EASED FORWARD TO AVOID HITTING A HI…
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WHILE EXITING FROM THE PARKING LOT THE ENGINE ACCELERATED INTO A PAASING GEAR THRUST WHICH HURTLED THE VEHICLE INTO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF A PASSING VEHICLE. HERITAGE HONDA ADMITTED THAT THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. AFTER REPAIRS THE VEHICLE SURGED AGAIN AS CONSUMER GENTLY EASED FORWARD TO AVOID HITTING A HIGH CURB. THE ENGINE ROARED INTO A FORWARD MOTION, JUMPING THE CURB, THE WHEELS WERE FORCED TO THE RIGHT, LOOSING CONTROL THE VEHICLE CROSSED AN ISLAND, AN ALLEYWAY, AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER IMPACT, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL WHILE THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. CONSUMER BELIEVES IT'S A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR THAT IS AT FAULT. *JG
NHTSA ODI #566882
Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
AFTER DRIVING VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN 20 MINUTES, IT STARTED TO VIBRATE AT SPEEDS OF 35-40 MPH AND OVER. DEALER HAS REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS AT 27000 MILES. AT THIS TIME VEHICLE IS VIBRATING AGAIN.*AK
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.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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.
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