Honda Prelude Problems by Year
NHTSA has 210 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file for the Honda Prelude, across 7 model years (1995–2001). The 1998 model year has the most complaints (69). The most reported problem area overall is power train.
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Honda Prelude years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Prelude year: 1997, 1998. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1998 Prelude: 69 complaints, 3 recalls
- 1997 Prelude: 66 complaints, 3 recalls
- 1999 Prelude: 31 complaints, 2 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 1996 Prelude: 4 complaints, 1 recall
- 1995 Prelude: 6 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2000 Prelude: 13 complaints, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Honda Prelude problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 97 | 5 | 4 |
| Electrical System | 34 | 6 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 22 | 7 | 1 |
| Suspension | 19 | 4 | 2 |
| Air Bags | 11 | 6 | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 11 | 5 | 4 |
| Tires | 11 | 3 | 1 |
| Steering | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Equipment | 7 | 3 | 2 |
| Visibility | 7 | 3 | 2 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 1 |
All Honda Prelude model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 Prelude | 21 | 1 | — | Power Train | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2000 Prelude | 13 | 1 | — | Power Train | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 1999 Prelude | 31 | 2 | — | Power Train | More complaints than other years |
| 1998 Prelude | 69 | 3 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1997 Prelude | 66 | 3 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1996 Prelude | 4 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1995 Prelude | 6 | 0 | — | Air Bags |
More from Honda: all Honda models · Honda VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Prelude years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1997 (66), 1998 (69) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Prelude year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Honda Prelude?
Power Train, with 97 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Honda Prelude have?
3 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.