1997 Honda Prelude: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 66 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (57% of complaints); the 1995 and 1996 and 1999 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Its the automatic transmission it only has 136000 miles on it and I need a new one that's really low miles for a 97 never had a problem like this ever with any of my cars. I heard its with all the hondas. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 honda prelude. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 02v120000 (electrical system) but was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 186,000. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 honda prelude. While driving approximately 20 mph in a parking lot, the vehicle stalled. She stated she turned the vehicle off and when restarting, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The contact stated the failure had occurred at least six times, intermittently. The manufacturer advised the contact to have the dealer diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 02v120000 (electrical system: ignition: switch). The contact did not feel safe driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was 146,565 and the current mileage was 146,765.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“My 1997 honda prelude automatic transmission died out. When I looked on the forums, honda is very well aware of the failure by design of their honda preludes. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2010
“I've driving my prelude for 4 years. Very soon after I got it I noticd the shifting was jerky. Soon after it became jumpy and now when I drivie my car from cold its bolting into gear with a tremendous jerk. I feel its on its way out.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2010
“The transmission in my 1997 honda prelude automatic ss crapped out on me after kicking and slipping for a few months so I had it rebuilt...and now a few months later it's already slipping and kicking again. It cost 1500 to have it rebuilt the first time, honda already addressed the 00-01 prelude auto transmissions in a recall, why haven't the addressed the issues in the prior years? It's the same car as the 00-01, no changes were made to the body, engine, transmission, and yet they refuse to address this widespread issue among prelude owners. I for one am tired of it, honda owes it to their loyal consumers that they confront this issue head on. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · May 2008
“The car stalled without warning on highway due to ignition switch. The ignition switched was replaced in oct 2003 as part of a recall yet failed less than 3 years later. "make : honda model : prelude year : 1997 manufacturer : american honda motor co. NHTSA campaign id number : 02v120000 recall date : may 13, 2002 component: electrical system:ignition:switch" *nm”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2006
“The automatic transmissions in 1997 honda preludes are weak and fail easy. The reason is cheap parts and metals in the transmissions themselves. The 97 preludes were recalled in turkey, and replaced with a new m6ha unit. Mine is constantly slipping and tearing up. I'm looking at a constant problem that costs a lot of money. I bought this car for its quality and prestige in the honda world, but due to the lack of quality and workmanship in the automatic transmissions, my opinion of preludes has drastically dropped. I would not care if I had an automatic or a manual, I just want a car that works like the honda company lacked to make it. Thank you. *nm”Owner report · Parking Brake · Dec 2005
“I have a 1997 prelude that has had 1 transmission failure in nov. Of 2005 & it was rebuilt. It current is failing the same way the first transmission failed. It is making noise & starting to slip when it is cold. $1700 to fix the 1st transmission by a trans shop. I am joining a class action law suit if it is not taken care of from honda. This car only has 65,000 miles on it! *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2005
“Dt: the consumer had recall 05v018000 repair work completed on friday. The recall involved the ignition switch.. On sunday she noticed that the air conditioner did not work. She took the vehicle back to the dealer, and was told the blower was out on the air conditioner. The total cost of repair would be $489.00. The consumer felt this problem was related to the recall repair work that had been completed on friday. She was at the dealership from 8am to 12:15 pm before the dealer finished inspecting the vehicle. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Prelude by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Honda Prelude reliable?
NHTSA has 66 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Honda Prelude. The most complained-about area is power train (57% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Honda Prelude problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 93,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Honda Prelude have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.