Major Problems with Honda Prelude Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used Honda Prelude to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

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Best and Worst Years for Honda Prelude

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Honda Prelude.

Model Year	Complaints
2001 Prelude	21
2000 Prelude	13
1999 Prelude	30
1998 Prelude	68
1997 Prelude	66
1996 Prelude	4
1995 Prelude	6
1994 Prelude	9
1993 Prelude	11
1992 Prelude	22
1991 Prelude	15

Worst 3 Honda Prelude complaints

1991 Honda Prelude ANCHORAGE Victims: 4

1995 Honda Prelude FRONTAL Victims: 3 Mileage: 109000 miles

1998 Honda Prelude SIDE/WINDOW Victims: 2

Browse Honda Prelude complaints by category

Problems with AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and FRONTAL are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Honda Prelude owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN at approximately 70 mph on the highway the transmission suddenly downshifted from 4th (4 speed automatic sequential sport shift) to...	70 ~ 52525 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM on two separate occasions when applying the brakes when coming to a stop the engine cuts off without warning no...	17 ~ 216147 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS while driving 35 mph had a frontal impact with a tree in which the airbag deployed 3 seconds late causing	16 ~ 21688 miles
SWITCH > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl*the contact owns a 2001 honda prelude. on two separate occasions the vehicle failed to start but the anti theft...	13 ~ 57516 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING timing belt tensioner failing belt flapping between 1800 and 3000 rpms upon acceleration and deceleration. *jb...	12 ~ 25383 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the main bearings in my motor spun and are scored this resulted in loss of oil pressure to the crankshaft...	10 ~ 1000 miles
MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN brake system is malfunctioning and engaging involuntarily. front end vibrates. also left wheel gets hot and locks up. vehicle has...	10 ~ 51850 miles
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2001 honda prelude. the contact stated that while parked she was able to remove the...	8 ~ 13125 miles
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT while driving down the freeway last year i heard a screeching noise under the hood of my 2001 honda prelude....	8 ~ 25838 miles
POWER TRAIN takata recall any time i put my car in d4 (automatic) it gets to about 2500 rpm to 3000 rpm...	7 ~ 113681 miles
AIR BAGS tl*the contact owns a 2001 honda prelude. while driving approximately 15 mph a vehicle crashed into the front end passenger...	7 ~ 78180 miles
TREAD/BELT > TIRES both front tires had tread seperate from sidewall on the entire inner side of tire showing steel belt. the auto...	7 ~ 30143 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING repeated (2 times) safety related engine malfunction causing loss of control and power of the vehicle. *bf ivoq 10100766 provided...	6 ~ 54910 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC was going 15 mph. car in front slamed on brakes we slammed on brakes the brakes went all the way...	6
TIRES no summary (tiresize: 550)...	6 ~ 35167 miles
LOWER BALL JOINT > CONTROL ARM > FRONT lower ball joints were replaced prior to recall notice (99v069000). however after recall repairs were done dearlership did not tighten	6 ~ 16333 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER no information provided....	6 ~ 750 miles
TORQUE CONVERTER > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN my honda prelude 2001 vibrates severely after driving 2 hours at a steady speed. have brought it back for service...	5 ~ 26600 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL have complained to dealership several times about poor throttle response or a dead spot in the throttle of prelude during...	5
BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS > GASOLINE > ENGINE repeated (2 times) safetly related engine malfunction causing loss of control and power of the vehicle. on november 4 2004...	4 ~ 94035 miles
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN spring cages on stock clutch failed causing clutch to fail to disengage reliably. this prevented shifting out of and into...	4 ~ 85766 miles
SIDEWALL > TIRES i have 1999 honda prelude that came with bridgestone potenza p205/50 vr16 re92 tires. the left rear tire broke away...	4
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY > FRONT > SEAT BELTS driver traveling on a two lane road two vehicles where in front there was an abrupt stop and the driver...	4
FRONT > SUSPENSION the left front suspension has a loud and distinct crack upon take off and stopping of the vehicle. this problem...	4 ~ 54500 miles
REAR > SUSPENSION possible rear suspension problem which is causing noise in the rear of the vehicle. ...	4
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT the consumer's vehicle experienced engine failure which was caused by a broken cam seal which allowed oil to leak from...	3 ~ 22356 miles
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES power door locks will unlock for no apparent reason from idle or in motion mph varies. dt...	3 ~ 25000 miles
CONTROL ARM > FRONT > SUSPENSION while consumer was traveling at 20 mph ball joints went out and consumer lost control of vehicle. there is a...	3
SUSPENSION after driving vehicle for more than 20 minutes it started to vibrate at speeds of 35-40 mph and over. dealer	3 ~ 70333 miles
STEERING steering system malfunctioned which may cause a crash. problem reoccured after the steering pump was replaced. dealer cannot determine the	3 ~ 102333 miles
AXLE SHAFT > AXLE ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN no summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak...	3
FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC brake system is malfunctioning and engaging involuntarily. front end vibrates. also left wheel gets hot and locks up. vehicle has...	3
HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING driver lost power steering twice while driving. yh ...	3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING while driving the car just turns off then wont start for awhile when starts back up shuts off while driving...	2
EQUIPMENT my son was driving the 1999 honda prelude on the expressway when the engine stopped runing. he was able to...	2 ~ 81450 miles
VISIBILITY repeated (2 times) safety related engine malfunction causing loss of control and power of the vehicle. *bf ivoq 10100766 provided...	2 ~ 33531 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS while traveling 15-20 mph on a neighborhood street with windows up consumer and passenger began to smell something like gas....	2
WHEELS while driving the wheels locked up causing the vehicle to cross three lanes and hit the center divider of the	2
LATCH > HOOD > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES purchased the car used the generic hood flew up smashing the windshield the car crossed across the oncoming lane of	2
TRUNK LID > BODY > STRUCTURE trunk makes loud clunking sound when the vehicle passes over pump. yh...	2 ~ 57500 miles
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY problems with ball joints brakes air conditioner radio windshield and seats.*mr in addition the engine burned oil the vehicle had...	2
SEATS as the result of broken ball joint the vehicle spun out of control causing damages to wheels frame alignment and	2
RETRACTOR > FRONT > SEAT BELTS drivers seat belt fails to retract. *dsh...	2
POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY right and left power window regulator. mjs...	2
ENGINE while driving or at stop light car stalls without warning. must have a jump to restart and can only drive...	1 ~ 150000 miles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL while the car is in motion driving on the free way the car will shut off due to ignition switch...	1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES i own a honda prelude and recently the combination switch broke and my car simply shut off while i was...	1 ~ 125000 miles
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING the automatic transmissions in 1997 honda preludes are weak and fail easy. the reason is cheap parts and metals in...	1 ~ 97000 miles
INDICATOR LIGHT > PARKING BRAKE the automatic transmissions in 1997 honda preludes are weak and fail easy. the reason is cheap parts and metals in...	1 ~ 97000 miles
REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM electrical fire in vehicle trunk. *nm...	1 ~ 88888 miles
LINKAGES > STEERING my honda prelude 2001 vibrates severely after driving 2 hours at a steady speed. have brought it back for service...	1
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE my honda prelude 2001 vibrates severely after driving 2 hours at a steady speed. have brought it back for service...	1
DRIVESHAFT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN consumer stated that while driving and without warning the balance shaft blew causing oil to leak. dealer notified. mr...	1
STRUCTURE repeated (2 times) safety related engine malfunction causing loss of control and power of the vehicle. *bf ivoq 10100766 provided...	1 ~ 67061 miles
CONTROL MODULE > ANTI-THEFT > IGNITION consumer is being charged to have alarm removed from vehicle to install ignition switch. alarm was put in by dealer.*ak...	1
DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE consumer stated a week prior to failure the air conditioner began leaking onto the floorboards of the passenger and drivers	1
ROOF AND PILLARS > BODY > STRUCTURE about a year and a half ago the clear coat on my 1993 honda prelude started peeling off the trunk...	1 ~ 115000 miles
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS brakes are sticking and causing the car to vibrate and emit a low humming noise. when i put my foot...	1
TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE > TIRES instrument panel gauge indicator light for the active torque transfer system turns on after start of engine and driving a...	1
DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC after driving vehicle for more than 20 minutes it started to vibrate at speeds of 35-40 mph and over. dealer	1
HEATER CORE > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY recall repair refused due to lack of parts (99v-069). mjs...	1
GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN when shifting car into park gear shift will get stuck. consumer feels this is unsafe because car has to stay...	1
WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES > FRONT > SEAT BELTS seat belt warning light and buzzer never stops even if vehicle is off....	1
CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN the atts (traction control system) continually fails causing a potentially dangerous situation in which it may come on at any...	1
ANCHORAGE > FRONT > SEAT BELTS this head-on collision was investigated by the chp. central division chp m.a.i.t. was requested to examine the failure of the...	1
HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING power steering supply hose leaked/failed....	1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC problems with ball joints brakes air conditioner radio windshield and seats.*mr in addition the engine burned oil the vehicle had...	1
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY as the result of broken ball joint the vehicle spun out of control causing damages to wheels frame alignment and	1
UPPER BALL JOINT > CONTROL ARM > FRONT problems with ball joints brakes air conditioner radio windshield and seats.*mr in addition the engine burned oil the vehicle had...	1
FRONT UNDERHOOD > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM this car has been pampered yet continues to break and be quite costly to maintain. i bought this car because...	1
SEAT BELTS power seat belt does not retract....	1
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL failure on the accelerator consumer applied force to the accelerator pedal and the vehicle surged causing the consumer to have	1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE attempted to refuel vehicle when suddenly after an employee tried to repair dispenser gasoline exploded from the nozzle forcefully into...	1
FRONT > SEAT BELTS consumer states that the front passenger seatbelt releases on its own at any time. dealer states that coil connector terminator	1 ~ 193000 miles
FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY > MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN when shifting into gear while stopping at a traffice light and when attempting to shift gears shift fails to respond...	1
RIM > WHEELS while driving 40 mph consumer ran over a pothole that caused the tire to develop a bubble on the sidewall.	1

FAQ

What year Honda Prelude is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 11 years, Honda Prelude models of 1996, 1995, 1994 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for Honda Prelude?

Honda Prelude models of 1998 and 1997 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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