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2001 Honda PreludeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 21 owner complaints about the 2001 Honda Prelude, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints214 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage59kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 9, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Honda Prelude has problems

21 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 train111
Service brakes, hydraulic41
Electrical system40
Exterior lighting10
Steering10
Air bags11
Structure10
Engine and engine cooling10
Equipment10

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

1 recall

2001 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 →

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

2001 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 2001 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.

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.
Complaint 11185471 · Mar 9, 2019 · 142,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10371189 · Dec 19, 2010 · 110,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10326896 · Apr 21, 2010 · 69,000 miles

Own a 2001 Prelude?

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