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2001 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 →
21Owner complaints

Model-year median: 11.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
69
199831
199913
200021
2001
Compare all Prelude years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
11Electrical System
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Air Bags
1Engine And Engine Cooling
1
All reported categories
Equipment
1Exterior Lighting
1Steering
1Structure
1

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: 12 of 21 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 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

21 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2006
Equipment

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY LAST YEAR, I HEARD A SCREECHING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 2001 HONDA PRELUDE. ABOUT APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS LATER I HEARD SOMETHING FALL ONTO THE STREET AND VERY HOT AIR BEGAN BLOWING OUT MY AIR CONDITIONER (WHICH UP UNTIL THAT POINT WAS BLOWING VERY COLD AIR). IT TURNS OUT THAT THE AIR CONDITI…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY LAST YEAR, I HEARD A SCREECHING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 2001 HONDA PRELUDE. ABOUT APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS LATER I HEARD SOMETHING FALL ONTO THE STREET AND VERY HOT AIR BEGAN BLOWING OUT MY AIR CONDITIONER (WHICH UP UNTIL THAT POINT WAS BLOWING VERY COLD AIR). IT TURNS OUT THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER CLUTCH PULLEY FELL OFF MY CAR AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT BY HONDA. THEY SEEM NOT TO CARE AND THUS REFUSE TO FIX IT. I RESIDE IN ARIZONA WHERE TEMPERATURES REACH 110 PLUS IN THE SUMMER. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO NORTH AMERICAN HONDA IN THE HOPES THAT SOME RESOLUTION COULD BE RESOLVED, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT. AIR CONDITION PULLEYS DO NOT JUST FALL OFF A VEHICLE! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10164049

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILING, BELT FLAPPING BETWEEN 1800 AND 3000 RPMS UPON ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10139190

49,000 miles · Jan 11, 2005
Power Train

MY 5-SPEED TRANMISSION, IS ALWAYS GRINDING, AND THIS LEADS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE LOST THE REVERSE GEAR 2 TIMES NOW, AND THE TRANSMISSION ALWAYS GRINDS ON UPSHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER HONDA WILL NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. MANY HONDA TECHNICIANS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THESE TRANS…

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MY 5-SPEED TRANMISSION, IS ALWAYS GRINDING, AND THIS LEADS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE LOST THE REVERSE GEAR 2 TIMES NOW, AND THE TRANSMISSION ALWAYS GRINDS ON UPSHIFT INTO 5TH GEAR. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER HONDA WILL NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. MANY HONDA TECHNICIANS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS NEED TO BE RECALLED AS THIS IS SUCH A BIG PROBLEM. THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION HAS COST ME SUBSTANTIAL DOWNTIME, AND MONEY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10106158

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2004
Power Train

TRANSMISSION BROKE. SOMETHING FLEW OUT OF TRANSMISSION, AND SHOT OUT BELOW CAUSE: CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL CAME APART. THIS WAS ALL STOCK, IF IT HAD SHOT UP I MIGHT HAVE BEEN INJURED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10072935

35,035 miles · Oct 31, 2003
Power Train

CAR DID NOT GO INTO ANY OF THE GEARS FREELY. THE CULPRIT WAS A POORLY DESIGNED CLUTCH DISC. THE SPRINGS ON THE DISC POPPED OUT OF THE DISC RESULTING IN CLUTCH FAILURE. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10045226

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2003
Power TrainSteeringStructure

MY HONDA PRELUDE 2001 VIBRATES SEVERELY AFTER DRIVING 2 HOURS AT A STEADY SPEED. HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES; NO PROBLEMS FOUND. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FAULT; I AM PLANNING TO SELL IT BUT DON'T WANT TO ENDANGER SOMEONE ELSE.CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY NO OTHER PRELUDE OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR MALFUNCTIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10039631

44,527 miles · May 29, 2003
Power Train

SPRING CAGES ON STOCK CLUTCH FAILED, CAUSING CLUTCH TO FAIL TO DISENGAGE RELIABLY. THIS PREVENTED SHIFTING OUT OF, AND INTO GEAR. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION OF ONCOMING FAILURE. THE OTHER 3 OF 4 SPRING PERCHES AROUND THE CLUTCH HUB SHOWED SIGNS OF EMINENENT FAILURE AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #10020679

18,000 miles · Feb 20, 2003
Power Train

AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED FROM 4TH (4 SPEED AUTOMATIC SEQUENTIAL SPORT SHIFT) TO 2ND. CAR LURCHED SUDDENLY FORWARD WITH NO INDICATION TO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME THAT I WAS SLOWING DOWN. IF THE PERSON BEHIND ME HAD BEEN ANY CLOSER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN REARENDED -- IN THIS CASE IT WAS …

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AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED FROM 4TH (4 SPEED AUTOMATIC SEQUENTIAL SPORT SHIFT) TO 2ND. CAR LURCHED SUDDENLY FORWARD WITH NO INDICATION TO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME THAT I WAS SLOWING DOWN. IF THE PERSON BEHIND ME HAD BEEN ANY CLOSER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN REARENDED -- IN THIS CASE IT WAS A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK.

NHTSA ODI #10007887

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2002
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING AND ENGAGING INVOLUNTARILY. FRONT END VIBRATES. ALSO, LEFT WHEEL GETS HOT AND LOCKS UP. VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND SHOULD ROLL BACK WHEN THE FOOT IS TAKEN OFF OF BRAKE PEDAL ON AN INCLINE. INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK …

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BRAKE SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING AND ENGAGING INVOLUNTARILY. FRONT END VIBRATES. ALSO, LEFT WHEEL GETS HOT AND LOCKS UP. VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND SHOULD ROLL BACK WHEN THE FOOT IS TAKEN OFF OF BRAKE PEDAL ON AN INCLINE. INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE TO THE POINT WHERE THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PULL OFF OF THE ROAD, FOR A THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER AND HOSE HAVE BEEN REPLACED. CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW IF THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #8016923

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE ABS CONTROL UNIT FIRST FAILED AT 12692 MILES LAST APRIL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE AND RESET THE CODES. I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE UNIT FAILED AGAIN IT WOULD BE REPLACED. IT FAILED LAST FRIDAY. THE DEALER DOES NOT STCK THE CONTROL UNIT AND IT TAKES 3-5 WORKING DAYS TO ORDER THE PART. THE CONTRO…

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THE ABS CONTROL UNIT FIRST FAILED AT 12692 MILES LAST APRIL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE AND RESET THE CODES. I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE UNIT FAILED AGAIN IT WOULD BE REPLACED. IT FAILED LAST FRIDAY. THE DEALER DOES NOT STCK THE CONTROL UNIT AND IT TAKES 3-5 WORKING DAYS TO ORDER THE PART. THE CONTROL UNIT IS NOW GIVING INTERMITTENT FAILURE SIGNALS AS THE CAR IS DRIVEN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #764569

Official recalls

1

05V025000 · 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.

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

1

PE05002 · 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.