no report yet
Ignition: switch
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.
1997 Honda PreludeProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 66 owner complaints about the 1997 Honda Prelude, most often about the power train. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 9, 2019. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Honda Prelude has problems
66 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
40Power train2 crash/fire/injury
7Suspension2 crash/fire/injury
7Electrical system
5Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
5Tires
3Equipment
3Service brakes, hydraulic
2Visibility
2Seats
75 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 40 | 2 |
| Suspension | 7 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 1 |
| Tires | 5 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 3 | 2 |
| Visibility | 2 | 2 |
| Seats | 2 | 2 |
| 5 other systems | 7 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1997 Honda Prelude recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Ignition: switch
Risk. WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Control arm: lower ball joint
Risk. THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Honda.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
96kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 23 power train complaints. 65% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 48% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
0under 30k miles15under 100k miles8100k miles or more
Best & worst years
1997 vs. every other Prelude year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Prelude median. How we score
'79'80'81'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1997 Honda Prelude, and the recalls they led to.
- IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCKLed to recall 05V-025
In owners' words
What Prelude owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND HAVE HAD GOOD LUCK WITH HONDA'S IN THE PAST BUT ABOUT 300 MILES OF ME OWNING THIS VEHICLE I WAS ENTERING A FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST ALL POWER WITH CARS GOING HIGHWAY SPEED BEHIND ME I HAD TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER LUCKILY THERE WAS ONE THERE THE FIRST TIME IT…
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
WELL BASICALLY I BOUGHT MY 97AUTOMATIC PRELUDE, AND NOT MORE THAN A MONTH LATER OF HAVING THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. BASICALLY IT WOULD SOUND LIKE A SCREW DRIVER WAS BEING FORCED INTO THE GEARS OR SOMETHING. ON TOP OF THAT IT WAS REVVING RIDICULOUSLY HIGH AND NOT MOVING…
Own a 1997 Prelude?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.