2001 Honda Prelude Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 9, 2019 · 21 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Prelude years
About as many complaints as other years 4th of 7 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Honda Prelude. That ranks 4th out of 7 Prelude model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (11 complaints, 52%), typically at around 59,000 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 2 injuries. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Honda Prelude
The new Honda Prelude exhibited at the Japan Mobility Show Kansai in 2025. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Aos.1905, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2001 Honda Prelude problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Power Train11 · ~59,000 mi
Electrical System4 · ~101,960 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Air Bags1 · ~130,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling1
Equipment1
Exterior Lighting1
Steering1
Structure1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Power Train1152%59,000——
Electrical System419%101,960——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic419%———
Air Bags15%130,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling15%———
Equipment15%———
Exterior Lighting15%———
Steering15%———
Structure15%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2003, with 4 complaints
2001: 1200112002: 2200222003: 4200342004: 1200412005: 2200522006: 1200612007: 3200732009: 1200912010: 3201032011: 1201112013: 1201312019: 120191

n = 21 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2001 Honda Prelude recalls (1)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electrical system:ignition:switchJan 28, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V025000 · 486,659 vehicles

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.

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.

Takata recall any time i put my car in d4 (automatic) it gets to about 2500 rpm to 3000 rpm in 1st then i have to message the throttle so it will shift and once it shifts to 2nd it starts shifting very quickly no matter the rpms to 3rd then 4th. Also when it's shifting it jerks pretty violently.

Power Train · received Mar 9, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11185471

While driving the car just turns off then wont start for awhile when starts back up shuts off while driving down the road we know there is a recall on the ignition switch and interior lights on this vehicle we have three kids that ride in this car and don't want something to happen while we are…

Electrical System · received Jun 12, 2013 · NHTSA complaint 10519578

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 honda prelude. While driving approximately 15 mph a vehicle crashed into the front end passenger side of the contacts vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the body damage was repaired. The approximate failure mileage…

Air Bags · received May 10, 2011 · NHTSA complaint 10399784

Just like many other 97-01 honda preludes my car has begin to have problems shifting. If i do not allow my car to warm up it will rev really high and jerk into gear. The first time it happened i pulled out of my driveway and it revved really high. Had the driver behind me not swerved over they…

Power Train · received Dec 19, 2010 · NHTSA complaint 10371189

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 honda prelude. The contact stated that while parked, she was able to remove the key from the ignition with the vehicle in neutral. The failure recurred intermittently for approximately one year. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for the failure and was not…

Electrical System · received Sep 20, 2010 · NHTSA complaint 10356540

Other Honda Prelude years

← 2000 Prelude

See all Honda Prelude problems by year, every Honda model, or the Honda VIN decoder.

Similar Honda models

Embed this 2001 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 2001 Honda Prelude?

Owners most often report power train, electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 11 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Honda Prelude?

Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2001 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 2001 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.