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1999 Honda PreludeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 31 owner complaints about the 1999 Honda Prelude, most often about the power train. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

63
CarFlaw IndexSolid year41% below the Prelude median · #5 of 12 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints313 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage91kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 19, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Honda Prelude has problems

31 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train80
Electrical system70
Engine and engine cooling70
Tires51
Equipment30
Suspension20
Steering20
Wheels10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
4 other systems41

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1999 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

Recall 05V-025 · Jan 28, 2005 · 486,659 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Ignition: switch

Recall 02V-120 · May 16, 2002 · 1,000,000 vehicles

Risk. WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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.

Best & worst years

1999 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 1999 Honda Prelude, and the recalls they led to.

  1. IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCKPE05002 · closed Feb 2, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-025
In owners' words

What Prelude owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 1999 Honda Prelude. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact became aware that the failure was due to the ignition switch. The contact replaced the part himself. The contact also noticed that while the…
Complaint 11498032 · Dec 19, 2022 · 170,000 miles
THE SPORTSHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION M6HA IN MY 1999 HONDA PRELUDE STARTED TO SLIP AND WHILE GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE CAR LOST ALL POWER TO THE WHEELS AND WOULD JUST REV UP THE ENGINE WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL DOWN AND WOULD NOT MOVE THE CAR WHILE IN ALL DRIVE GEARS. IT COST ME $2,396.75 TO…
Complaint 10435250 · Nov 11, 2011 · 135,765 miles
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. ENGINE IDLE WENT UP AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. HOWEVER, MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST IN RESOLVING THE PROBLEM. *AK
Complaint 10067126 · Apr 14, 2004 · 28,000 miles

Own a 1999 Prelude?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.