2000 Honda Prelude: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 13 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
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 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 honda prelude. While attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2015
“After eleven years of ownership and 72,000 miles, transmission experienced failure of both right and left axle seals over the course of a year, causing serious transmission leaks. Both seals were replaced by the dealer. After only four months, both axle seals began seriously leaking once again. Transmission also began to make whirring noises above 30 mph. Dealer determined that the transmission had experienced failure of differential bearings and off-axis axles were wearing out the seals prematurely. Dealer quoted $4,500 replacement of transmission as only repair option. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2011
“Hi, I have a 2000 honda prelude. It is the automatic version with the sport shifter. Recently my transmission has been acting more than usual. From when I bought my car in november of 2009 and until june 18th 2011, my transmission shifted into each gear fine, but did have some abnormal shifts on some days. From june 18th 2011 in the afternoon and until june 25th 2011, my car's transmission started to slip and shifted really harsh in every gear. The worst gear is 3rd. Third gear slips really bad and has a late delay when shifting to 4th. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2011
Show 6 more owner reports
“I have a 2000 honda prelude type sh. It has been making a weird sound so I too it to the dealer. They said the auto tensioner and timing belt needs replaced. The service is not suppose to be done until 105,000 miles. The car has 77,000 miles. I ran into the same thing on my previous prelude which was a 1999 base model prelude. Honda will not issue a recall or help financially. This costs around a $1000 to fix. If the auto tensioner fails, the timing belt can break leading to a ruined engine. Everyone in the honda community knows this. Why can't honda be liable to fix a defective part that everyone has trouble with? *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2008
“2000 honda prelude fuel cap was loose, and the radio became inoperative after ignition switch recall repairs were performed.*mr the dealer also replaced the starter under warranty because the vehicle took longer than normal to start. *nm”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2005
“Gear shifter is not working properly. Shifter becomes hard when driving to shift into place. Contacted dealer, and dealer was checking it out. Please provide further information.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2002
“Transmission case is cracked and there was oil leaking from vehicle. Contacted mechanic. *ak honda corporate offered to replace transmission for free. Vehicle has never been in any front end collision. *jg”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2002
“Vehicle stalls, took to dlr and they said excessive amount of carbon was on valves. Dealer cleaned valves, and it was happening again. Consumer stated that 5th gear had to be replaced also.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2001
“While driving 35 mph had a frontal impact with a tree in which the airbag deployed 3 seconds late, causing occupant to hit the steering with seatbelt on, and sustaining injuries. Please provide further information. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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 2000 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 2000 Honda Prelude reliable?
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Honda Prelude. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2000 Honda Prelude have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. 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.