1998 Honda Prelude Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Prelude years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 7 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 69 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Honda Prelude. That is the most of any Prelude model year in the database (7 years). The most reported problem area is power train (31 complaints, 45%), typically at around 85,170 miles. Complaints mention 5 crashes, 8 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
_in_red_at_Japan_Mobility_Show_Kansai_2025.jpg){kind=link}
- 69owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 5complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1998 Honda Prelude problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 31 | 45% | 85,170 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 12 | 17% | 150,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 9 | 13% | 120,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 4 | 6% | 163,632 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 6% | 79,500 | — | — |
| Visibility | 4 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 3 | 4% | 153,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 3% | 125,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 1% | 150,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1998 Honda Prelude recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Electrical system:ignition:switch
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system:ignition:switch
Problem: 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.
Risk: Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint
Problem: 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.
Risk: This condition would result in vehicle deceleration and a sudden loss of power. Also steering controllability would be reduced.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Ignition-park interlock (PE05002) — opened Jan 13, 2005, closed Feb 2, 2005, led to recall 05V025000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
While driving or at stop light, car stalls without warning. Must have a jump to restart and can only drive 5-10 miles before car stalls saying battery not charging. Battery and alternator both test as good. Car may start and run normally for several days then problem reappears.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA PRELUDE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORM REEVES HONDA SUPERSTORE WEST COVINA (1840 E GARVEY AVE S, WEST COVINA, CA 91791, [redacted]) WHERE IT…
While the car is in motion driving on the free way the car will shut off due to ignition switch or tumbler any key movement will cause the car to shut off making the steering wheel to lock up vary dangerous to travel with children.
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…
Other Honda Prelude years
← 1997 Prelude · 1999 Prelude →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 Prelude | 21 | 1 |
| 2000 Prelude | 13 | 1 |
| 1999 Prelude | 31 | 2 |
| 1998 | 69 | 3 |
| 1997 Prelude | 66 | 3 |
| 1996 Prelude | 4 | 1 |
| 1995 Prelude | 6 | 0 |
See all Honda Prelude problems by year, every Honda model, or the Honda VIN decoder.
Similar Honda models
Embed this 1998 Honda Prelude badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Honda Prelude?
Owners most often report power train, electrical system, suspension problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 31 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Honda Prelude?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1998 Honda Prelude a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Prelude model years, the 1998 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.