1998 Honda Prelude: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 69 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (41% of complaints); the 1996 and 1999 and 2000 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 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 now 186573 miles on the second transmission.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2023
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2019
“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.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Dec 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“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, (626) 251-2995) where it was diagnosed that there was electrical failure. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 02v120000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2017
“On the morning of october 27, 2012, there was an accident. The airbags deployed. Per the detective that spoke with my husband, the airbag broke our son's neck and they believe death was instant. (I hope so). This was a used vehicle that apparently had several owners. The last owner prior to our son was [xxx]. It was purchased from him the day after thanksgiving 2009. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr updated 2/13/13 *cn”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2012
“On my third transmission for this car, I have become scared to drive it. When making left turns my transmission will randomly choose when to engage in the correct gear. There have been many close accidents in this car and I am no longer able to make left turns. This happens on the freeway at times and I am unable to pull over at a safe speed because this models transmission is faulty. This is an issue with this model for quite some time and I feel cheated and un-safe in this vehicle. *ln”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2011
“1. Driving under normal conditions. 2. Car stalled at stop light (3 times). Was able to restart car without disrupting traffic. Car stalled at freeway speed (1 time). Was able to safely maneuver to shoulder of road. Car restarted. 3. Replaced part after inspection and determined abnormal wear on switch contacts. Also plastic body of switch melted in one area. Old part is available. Part number 35130-s30-305 note: this was a part previously replaced under the "prelude ignition switch" recall issued in summer 2002. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2010
“Ignition switch will not allow car to start on some occasions, sometimes car will suddenly want to stall, only to be stopped by engaging the clutch to prevent it. The stall has occurred twice now. Honda had issues with the ignition switch in the 1997-99 preludes, but only 3/10ths actually experienced problems. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2010
“Vehicle: 1998 honda prelude sh (98000 miles) -vehicle was inspected by professional mechanic -mechanic found that components: suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joints had estimated 1/4 inch of play (movement) when there should be no movement -NHTSA campaign id number: 99v069000 is a recall for this component for 1998 honda preludes -honda motor co. States that my vehicle does not apply -the worse case, the ball joint would separate causing the front suspension to collapse. Consequence: this condition would result in vehicle deceleration and a sudden loss of power. Also steering controllability would be reduced. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 honda prelude. While driving 25 mph, the lower ball joints on the front passenger side failed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for repair. Through online research, he discovered NHTSA campaign id number 99v069000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. He wants honda to repair the vehicle according to the recall due to the safety risk involved. The current and failure mileages were 120,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 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 1998 Honda Prelude reliable?
NHTSA has 69 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Honda Prelude. The most complained-about area is power train (41% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Honda Prelude problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 93,790 miles or less.
Does the 1998 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.