2001 Honda Prelude: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 21 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train; the 2000 model year looks 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 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2019
“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 was 130,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2011
“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 would have rear ended me. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“When starting my 2001 honda prelude, putting into d4 (auto transmission) and beginning to drive, it would hit 3 rpm and not automatically shift. After hitting 3 rpm, it would rev up to 5 rpm before jerking into gear. This happens each time I first drive my car after it had been sitting, unless allowing it 10-15 minutes to completely warm up. If 2nd gear did happen to engage, it would have to rev and jerk into 3rd gear. I have taken it a few times to the auto shop although the transmission fluid levels remained fine and no other indication of a blown transmission was found. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2010
“2001 honda prelude sh, had a previous manual transmission overhaul after driving it for 3 days the manual transmission gave out on the vehicle 3 days later, making loud annoying noises. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2009
“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 driving the car and it shuts off nd wont start while we are in traffic. Please help. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2009
“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 repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000 and the current mileage was 123,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2009
“On two separate occasions when applying the brakes when coming to a stop the engine cuts off, without warning, no jerking, nothing. The dash had three lights lit as when you turn the ignition on before you start the car. The car can be restarted immediately after engine dies. Taking it to honda on 8/7/07.*jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 honda prelude. On two separate occasions the vehicle failed to start, but the anti theft indicator illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and the ignition switch was repaired. The contact's vehicle was not included in recall # 05v02500. The current and failure mileage were 36,663.*ak left message 10/16/07 . *lj”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2007
“My 5-speed tranmission, is always grinding, and this leads to transmission failure. I have lost the reverse gear 2 times now, and the transmission always grinds on upshift into 5th gear. There is a service bulletin on this problem, however honda will not remedy the problem. Many honda technicians have told me that these transmissions need to be recalled as this is such a big problem. The problems with this transmission has cost me substantial downtime, and money.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - 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 2001 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 2001 Honda Prelude reliable?
NHTSA has 21 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Honda Prelude. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2001 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.