1998 Honda Prelude

Defect. 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."

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

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.

Defect. 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.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Defect. 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.

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.

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.

Defect. ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

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

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

This is the first time I had to replace the transmission at 65867 miles on it, Well I was driving down to the street one day and then it's started to Slip In. and out of a gear And the next day I tried to pull out Of. my driveway The transmission is bad and Honda knows this, the second time it is now 186573 miles on the second transmission.

WHILE DRIVING OR AT STOP LIGHT, CAR STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. MUST HAVE A JUMP TO RESTART AND CAN ONLY DRIVE 5-10 MILES BEFORE CAR STALLS SAYING BATTERY NOT CHARGING. BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR BOTH TEST AS GOOD. CAR MAY START AND RUN NORMALLY FOR SEVERAL DAYS THEN PROBLEM REAPPEARS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA PRELUDE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NORM REEVES HONDA SUPERSTORE WEST COVINA (1840 E GARVEY AVE S, WEST COVINA, CA 91791, (626) 251-2995) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF DUE TO IGNITION SWITCH OR TUMBLER ANY KEY MOVEMENT WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO SHUT OFF MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP VARY DANGEROUS TO TRAVEL WITH CHILDREN.

HONDA RECALL HONDA PARTS DEFECTIVE OR POOR WORKMANSHIP. HONDA DEALERSHIP IN JASPER, ALABAMA IS NOT HONORING REPLACEMENT OF KNOWN DEFECTIVE PARTS ON MY 1998 HONDA PRELUDE. THE FOLLOWING INCLUDES KNOWN DEFECTIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, KNOWN DEFECTIVE IGNITION MODULE/SWITCH/IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEMS. ALL THREE HAVE FAILED COMPLETELY AND OR ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FAILING. MY VEHICLE IS UNSAFE IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD SOMETIMES NOT RESTARTING. THE KEY WILL SWITCH TO OFF POSITION AND COME OUT WHILE THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER IS NOT IN PARK WITH THE E-BRAKE NOT PULLED. MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING ALL THE FAULTS STATED IN NUMEROUS REPORTS ON THIS WEBSITE AND IN HONDAS OWN RECALLS. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND HUNDREDS OFF PEOPLE SUFFER FROM THESE SAME PROBLEMS THAT HONDA WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IS FAULTY/DEFECTIVE/HAS POOR WORKMANSHIP ON THE 1997-1998 MODELS. THERE OWN NEGLIGENCE HAS ALLOWED MANY AFFECTED YEAR MODEL PARTS TO BE INSTALLED, THEY ARE REFUSING TO HONOR STATED WARRANTY PRINTED IN ALL OWNERS MANUALS. A INVESTIGATION FOR THESE MODEL YEARS ARE NEEDED AS IT IS COSTING PEOPLE THOUSANDS OF OUT OF POCKET DOLLARS TO THIS VERY DAY INCLUDING MYSELF ALONG LOST WAGES. VEHICLE BREAK DOWNS NOT ALLOWING TO MAKE IT TO WORK. I ALSO EXPECT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL COSTS OUT OF POCKET FROM SAID FAULTS WHICH I BET HONDA SHALL NOT EVEN THOUGH ITS STATED THEY WILL IN THERE WARRANTY AND OWNERS MANUALS FOR 1997-1998 HONDA PRELUDE. I HAVE INCLUDED ATTACHMENTS OF MULTIPLE CASES FURTHER REI

MY 1998 V-TEC HONDA PRELUDE RECENTLY HIT 157000 MILES AND SHORTLY AFTER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING LOSS OF POWER, STALLING, AND LOSS OF STEERING. WITHIN 5 WEEKS I HAVE EXPERIENCED IT STALL AND INSTANTLY RESTART WHILE GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, LOSE ALL POWER AND STEERING WHILE TURNING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, AND LOSE POWER AND STEERING WHILE GOING 55 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THIS WEBSITE, ACROSS THE INTERNET AND SPEAKING WITH SOME MECHANICS I BELIEVE THESE ISSUES TO BE IN LINE WITH TWO MAJOR RECALLS THAT WERE DONE ON MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE HOWEVER I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT MY VEHICLE AMONG MANY OTHERS WERE EXCLUDED FROM THESE RECALLS (RECALL #'S 99V069000, 02V12000). MOST OF THESE ISSUES WOULD NOT EVEN PRESENT THEMSELVES UNTIL THE CAR REACHED A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF WEAR AND TEAR AND THE FACT THAT SOME VEHICLES WERE EXCLUDED WHEN THEY PRESENT THE SAME ISSUES IS DEPLORABLE AND HAS PUT MANY LIVES AT RISK AS THESE ARE BOTH CONSIDERED LIFE THREATENING ISSUES.

ON THE MORNING OF OCTOBER 27, 2012, THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PER THE DETECTIVE THAT SPOKE WITH MY HUSBAND, THE AIRBAG BROKE OUR SON'S NECK AND THEY BELIEVE DEATH WAS INSTANT. (I HOPE SO). THIS WAS A USED VEHICLE THAT APPARENTLY HAD SEVERAL OWNERS. THE LAST OWNER PRIOR TO OUR SON WAS [XXX]. IT WAS PURCHASED FROM HIM THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING 2009. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 2/13/13 *CN

ON MY THIRD TRANSMISSION FOR THIS CAR, I HAVE BECOME SCARED TO DRIVE IT. WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS MY TRANSMISSION WILL RANDOMLY CHOOSE WHEN TO ENGAGE IN THE CORRECT GEAR. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY CLOSE ACCIDENTS IN THIS CAR AND I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO MAKE LEFT TURNS. THIS HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY AT TIMES AND I AM UNABLE TO PULL OVER AT A SAFE SPEED BECAUSE THIS MODELS TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND I FEEL CHEATED AND UN-SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. *LN

1. DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. 2. CAR STALLED AT STOP LIGHT (3 TIMES). WAS ABLE TO RESTART CAR WITHOUT DISRUPTING TRAFFIC. CAR STALLED AT FREEWAY SPEED (1 TIME). WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MANEUVER TO SHOULDER OF ROAD. CAR RESTARTED. 3. REPLACED PART AFTER INSPECTION AND DETERMINED ABNORMAL WEAR ON SWITCH CONTACTS. ALSO PLASTIC BODY OF SWITCH MELTED IN ONE AREA. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. PART NUMBER 35130-S30-305 NOTE: THIS WAS A PART PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER THE "PRELUDE IGNITION SWITCH" RECALL ISSUED IN SUMMER 2002. *TR

IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT ALLOW CAR TO START ON SOME OCCASIONS, SOMETIMES CAR WILL SUDDENLY WANT TO STALL, ONLY TO BE STOPPED BY ENGAGING THE CLUTCH TO PREVENT IT. THE STALL HAS OCCURRED TWICE NOW. HONDA HAD ISSUES WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE 1997-99 PRELUDES, BUT ONLY 3/10THS ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS. *TR

THE AUTOMATIC WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP, IT IS STUCK INSIDE THE DOOR. *TR

VEHICLE: 1998 HONDA PRELUDE SH (98000 MILES) -VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC -MECHANIC FOUND THAT COMPONENTS: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD ESTIMATED 1/4 INCH OF PLAY (MOVEMENT) WHEN THERE SHOULD BE NO MOVEMENT -NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V069000 IS A RECALL FOR THIS COMPONENT FOR 1998 HONDA PRELUDES -HONDA MOTOR CO. STATES THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT APPLY -THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE. CONSEQUENCE: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA PRELUDE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE MOTOR SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING TWO TO THREE TIMES PER DAY. THERE WAS A RECALL ON MAY 17, 2002 AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED IN OCTOBER OF 2002; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO FAILURES AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL REPAIR. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS SHUTTING OFF AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT UNDER RECALL AGAIN. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,125.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA PRELUDE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V069000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HE WANTS HONDA TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE RECALL DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

I OWN A 1998 HONDA PRELUDE. THE HEADLIGHT LENSES HAVE BECOME FOGGED AND CLOUDY AND CANNOT BE CLEANED. THE POOR ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY PROVIDED BY THESE FOGGED AND CLOUDY HEADLIGHTS IS A CLEAR VIOLATION OF STANDARD 108. THE FOGGINESS AND CLOUDINESS OF THE HEADLIGHT LENSES IS A CONDITION RESULTANT FROM SUBSTANDARD FACTORY INSTALLED EQUIPMENT. THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE CONFIRMS THAT CAR OWNERS, NATIONALLY, HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT SIMILAR CONDITIONS FOR MANY YEARS. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR FACTORY INSTALLATION OF SUBSTANDARD SAFETY EQUIPMENT. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO TAKE ANY STEPS TO REPLACE THIS SUBSTANDARD HEADLIGHT LENSES UNLESS I PAY FOR THE COST OF THEIR REPLACEMENT, WHICH THEY QUOTE TO ME AS $300.00 PER LENS. SINCE THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, I BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO STOP WORKING IN D(DRIVE) MODE. I HAD TO USE THE MANUAL/ AUTOSTICK TO GET THE CAR TO DRIVE. THERE WAS NO IMPROVEMENT IN THE SHIFTING. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE A 5 SPEED SWAP DONE AT A PERFORMANCE SHOP. THIS IS MY 3RD HONDA THAT HAS HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

I OWN A HONDA PRELUDE AND RECENTLY THE COMBINATION SWITCH BROKE AND MY CAR SIMPLY SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INJURY OR FURTHER DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I HAD THE PART REPLACED BY MY AUTO MECHANIC. TODAY I LEARNED THAT PART WAS RECALLED AND THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE PART. I STILL HAVE THE PART AND THE RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIRS. THE COSTS OF THE REPAIRS CAME TO $240.00 AND I ALSO HAD TO RENT A VEHICLE TO CONTINUE WORKING WHICH COSTS $ 85.00. *TR

THE AUTOMATIC SPORT SHIFT TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO FAIL. THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARD (JOLTS) THROUGHOUT ALL THE GEARS. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY CAR ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS A PREMATURE MALFUNCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR IS METICULOUSLY CARED FOR, REGULARLY MAINTAINED, OIL CHANGED REGULARLY; TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGED EVERY THIRD OIL CHANGE TO AVOID TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CAR IS NEVER RACED OR REDLINED. I ALSO DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE REPLACING A TRANSMISSION THAT WILL FAIL ONCE AGAIN AS WITH MANY PRELUDE OWNERS. THE HONDA PRELUDE COSTS ABOUT $25,000 AND THUS A $4,000 TRANSMISSION JOB IS 20% OF THE CAR. JUST PLAIN UNREASONABLE!!! THIS HAS BECOME A FINANCIALLY BURDENSOME SITUATION. FURTHERMORE, HONDA HAS RECALLED ALL 1997 PRELUDES IN TURKEY AND HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSIONS WITH UPDATED MH6A UNITS. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE!!! PLEASE, YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER IS GREATLY NEEDED. THANKS *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA PRELUDE. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE IN HER DRIVEWAY, REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE RETURNED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO ROLL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT WAS DRAGGED BY THE VEHICLE, BUT SHE WAS ABLE TO LET GO AND ROLL ON THE PAVEMENT. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE MAILBOX AND CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT STRUCK A POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON JANUARY 30, 2006 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V025000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). THE MANUFACTURER WANTS THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE AND NOTIFY THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT WITH THE RESULTS. THE CONTACT SUSTAIN INJURIES TO HER LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE POWERTRAIN AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,320.

1998 HONDA PRELUDE W/ SEQUENTIAL SHIFT AUTOMATIC. THE VEHICLE HAS 135,000 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED. AFTER SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, I FOUND MANY PEOPLE REPORTING TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. I EVEN FOUND THAT HONDA HAS RECALLED THE PRELUDE'S IN TURKEY FOR THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT HAS NOT IN THE US. THE REPAIRS COST APPROXIMATELY $2,800. WHY WAS THIS RECALL FACILITATED ON THE SAME VEHICLE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, BUT NOT IN THE US? *TR

MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING ON ME THEN IT STARTED SHIFTING DOWN TO SECOND THEN BACK TO FOURTH THEN BACK TO SECOND. I PULLED OVER AND NOW IT SEEMS TO BE STUCK IN SECOND GEAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE COOLED DOWN THEN IT WAS FINE FOR A SHORT WHILE THEN IT STARTED SHIFTING SPORADICALLY. IT SLIPS IN REVERSE ALSO. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE DRIVER MADE A SHARP TURN AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED CAUSING A CRASH. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED AWAY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES EVEN THOUGH SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 5/23/2006 - *NM

THE AUTOMATIC SPORT SHIFT TRANSMISSION FAILED IN AUGUST OF 05, AND IT WAS REPLACED WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS STARTING TO FAIL AGAIN, I DO NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO REPLACE THIS TRANSMISSION AGAIN IF IT FAILS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND NEVER RED-LINED, ALWAYS OIL CHANGED AT 3000 MILES, ETC. I FEEL THIS TRANSMISSION IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THAT HONDA SHOULD REPLACE THIS TRANSMISSION WITH ONE THAT IS SAFE AND RELIABLE, NOT THE CURRENT ONE, WHICH I FEEL IS A DANGER TO ALL PRELUDE OWNERS. *JB

IT HAS BEEN KNOWN THAT HONDA PRELUDE 1997-1999 TRANSMISSIONS ARE FAULTY. MINE FAILED YESTERDAY DURING A NORMAL TRIP ON A FREE WAY. GEARS SLIPPED AND A STRONG SMELL WAS NOTICEABLE INSIDE THE CAR. TO AVOID ANY EMERGENCY SITUATION I HAD TO PARK MY CAR ON THE SHOULDER IMMEDIATELY AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. *JB

I HAVE BEEN HAVING MORE PROBLEMS WITH MY ENGINE STALLING SUDDENLY. THE PAST FEW TIMES, I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY IN BUSY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE HEATER, RADIO, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK BUT THE TACHOMETER WOULD JUST DROP TO ZERO. TWICE, I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, TURN THE CAR BACK ON, AND PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE, ALL WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY.

DT: CONSUMER WAS IN VEHICLE WITH VEHICLE RUNNING. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING. CONSUMER LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE TIMING BELT AUTO TENSIONER FAILED. CONSUMER HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT RECOGNIZES THIS PROBLEM. SERVICE BULLETIN #01-010. CONSUMER FOUND THAT WHEN HIS TENSIONER FAILED AND LET VEHICLE JUMP TIME IT ALSO ALLOWED VALVES IN HEAD TO BECOME DAMAGED BY THE PISTON. CONSUMER SAYS THAT THIS HAPPENED WHEN VEHICLE HAD 79,000 MILES. CONSUMER SAYS THAT OWNER'S MANUAL SAYS THAT TIMING BELT SHOULD BE CHECKED AT 105,000 MILES. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT TIMING BELT WAS NOT BADLY WORN WHEN TENSIONER FAILED. CONSUMER HAD PROBLEM REPAIRED AT AUTO REPAIR SHOP OTHER THAN THE DEALER, COST WAS $2300. VEHICLE FAILED IN CONSUMERS DRIVEWAY. TOLEDO, OHIO. CONSUMER SAYS THAT THE TENSIONER IS AN AUTO TENSIONER AND IF IT IS IMPROPERLY TIGHTENTED THEN IT IS NOT THE CONSUMERS FAULT. *NM

'RECALL CAMPAIGN' 1998 HONDA PRELUDE SH LOWER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT. *BF THE CONSUMER RECENTLY BECAME AWARE OF A LOWER BALL JOINT RECALL 99V-069000. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SERVICE WAS ALREADY DONE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINT AGAIN FREE OF CHARGE. *NM

CAR IS 1998, WITH ONLY 35,255 MILES. ACCORDING TO MECHANIC, TRANSMISSION IS BAD. NEED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. CALLED HONDA OF AMERICA TO SEE IF GOODWILL WILL BE MADE DUE TO LOW MILEAGE WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. READ IN FORUMS, SEEMS LIKE PRELUDES HAVE HAD A HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THE MODELS OF 1997 - 2002 YEARS.*AK

TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER (LUCAS HONDA) FOR 90000 MILES SERVICE, NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS. AFTER MANUAL TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE PULLED AWAY FROM THE DEALER AND THE FIRST TIME THE CAR WAS PUT INTO 5TH GEAR THE TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD GRIND. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND GOT CAR TAKEN BACK TO DEALER WHERE THEY DENIED LIABILITY. RESEARCH LATER FOUND THAT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE A RECALL FOR THE SHIFT FORK WHICH THEY BLAME FOR MY PROBLEM, HOWEVER I PAID 900 DOLLARS TO HAVE THE 5TH GEAR,AND SHIFT FORK REPLACED. *AK

I HAVE A 1998 HONDA PRELUDE WITH A AUTOMATIC WITH THE SPORT SHIFT TRANSMISSION. THE ONE THAT COMES WITH THE BASE MODEL PRELUDE. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND I FELT THE TRANSMISSION NOT PULLING NO MORE THEN THE ENGINE REV HIGH AND THEN I LET MY FOOT OF THE GAS AND THE TRANSMISSION SLAPPED BACK INTO GEAR. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AND IT IS STARTING TO DO IT AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO HONDA AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING FOR THEM TO DO BUT PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR AND IT WOULD BE VERY COSTLY AND I HAVE TALK TO PEOPLE WITH THE CAR AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS . SO I WOULD THINK THERE WOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IT IS A VERY HAZARDOUS TO THE DRIVER. *LA

I HAVE OWNED THREE HONDAS. A 1988 ACCORD, 93 ACCORD, AND NOW CURRENTLY THE 98 PRELUDE. OF ALL THREE THE PRELUDE HAS GIVEN ME THE MOST PROBLEMS. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1500 IN REPAIRS SO FAR IN HAVING THE CAR 8 MONTHS. NOW MY TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ON DOING RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT HONDA IS HAVING SOME SORT OF MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BETWEEN THE YEARS 98-01 YET THEY ONLY ISSUED EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON THE 00-01 MODELS. WHY? THE 97-01 PRELUDES ARE ALL EXACTLY THE SAME WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSIONS AND ALL. SO WHY WERE THEY NOT ALL INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY. I FIRMLY STAND BEHIND HONDA'S QUALITY AND REPUTATION TO THIS DAY, BUT IF THEY HAVE A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM THEY DO NEED TO MAKE SURE AND INCLUDE ALL MODEL YEARS AFFECTED TO KEEP THEIR REPUTATION GOOD. IT SEEMS THE OLDER MODEL YEAR HONDA'S WERE BUILT BETTER THAN THE NEWER ONES FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND. I DO NOT QUITE UNDERSTAND THIS BECAUSE MOST CAR COMPANIES STRIVE TO MAKE THEIR CARS BETTER AND MORE RELIABLE EACH YEAR. I JUST WISH HONDA WOULD HAVE MADE SURE TO COVER ALL THE AFFECTED CARS UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AS TO KEEP CUSTOMERS SATISFIED. *NM

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS SUMMARY MAKE: HONDA MODEL: PRELUDE YEAR: 1998 SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 010400 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 618985 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: SUBJECT REGARDING A LEAKING TORQUE CONVERTER. *TT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS SUMMARY MAKE: HONDA MODEL: PRELUDE YEAR: 1998 SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 00090 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 615735 SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: SUBJECT REGARDING REAR SUSPENSION CLUNKS. *TT MAKE: MODEL: YEAR: SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: SUBJECT REGARDING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT PROBLEMS - SLIPPAGE, FLARE, HARD UPSHIFT. *TT SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: SUBJECT REGARDING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP COMES ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0133. *JG

THE KEY CAN BE TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK. THE DRIVER TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHILE TO VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. *NM

1998 HONDA PRELUDE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT A 98 HONDA PRELUDE. THIS IS BEAUTIFUL. I KNOW THE PREVIOUS OWNER, AND SHE WAS A GOOD DRIVER THAT NEVER EVEN UTILIZED THE VTEC, MEANING THE RPM NEVER WENT ABOVE 5000. NOW I HAVE IT, AND IT HAS 63000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS MY SECOND CAR SO I TREAT IT WITH MUCH CARE. BUT NOW SUDDENLY, THE GEARS DON'T SHIFT RIGHT. ITS AN AUTOMATIC AND WHEN THE GEARS ARE SHIFTING OVER IT FEELS LIKE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH A WORN OUT CLUTCH, THE ENGINE REVS UP A BIT AND MISSES THE NEXT GEAR AND SETS IN A LATE. IF THE CAR IS FLOORED, WHEN THE RPM HITS 7000 THE GEAR DOESN'T CHANGE! YOU HAVE TO LET GO OF THE ACCELERATOR AND LET IT SLIDE IN TO THE NEXT. THIS IS TERRIBLE ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE. AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE 99-00 PRELUDES AND I'M TRYING TO GET SOMETHING DONE ABOUT MY 98. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING, MY CAR WILL OVER REV, AND JERK INTO GEAR. IF I LET OFF OF THE GAS IT WILL SLIP INTO GEAR LESS HARSHLY. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO HONDA OF COVINGTON IN COVINGTON, LA, AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING DUE TO THE INSTALLATION OF AFTERMARKET PARTS, SUCH AS A COLD-AIR INTAKE, HEADER, AND EXHAUST MUFFLER. MY LOCAL MECHANIC SAIS THIS IS LUDICROUS, AND THAT A SIMPLE ADDITON OF 10-15 HP WOULD NOT CAUSE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE NOT MODIFIED OR ALTERED IN ANY WAY THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. EACH MODIFICATION WAS A SIMPLE BOLT-ON AND AT THE TIME OF PURCAHSE WAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH HONDA. I CALLED HONDA TECHINICAL SERVICE MANY TIMES AND ASKED IF I PUT A CERTAIN AFTERMARKET PART ON MY CAR WOULD IT VOID MY WARRANTY. EACH TIME HONDA TOLD ME THAT ASD LONG AS THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF MY CAR REMAINED INTACT, I WOULD NOT BE IN TROUBLE. THEY ALOS INFORMED ME OF BUYING AN AXLE-BACK EXHAUST INSTEAD OF A FULL CAT-BACK, TO BETTER INSURE THE SAFETY OF MY WARRANTY. NOW I AM INFORMED THAT MY TRANNY WOULD NED TO BE REPLCED OR OVERHUALED AT A COST OF MORE THAN $5000, AND NOW HONDA HAS GONE BACK ON THEIR WORD, AND DECIDED TO NULL MY WARRANTY BASED ON THE ADDITION OF AFTERMARKET COMPONENTS. I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED A LAWYER AND PLAN TO SUE HONDA.*AK

LOUD SQUEAK COMING FROM BACK OF CAR POSSIBLY UNDER TRUNK OR RIGHT WHEEL WELL INCREASES WITH COLD WEATHER. *NLM

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF SINCE 70,000 MILES. DESPITE PASSING E-CHECK I SEE THAT THIS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH OTHER HONDA MODELS. *NLM

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE.*JB

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR IN REGULAR DRIVE IT SUDDENLY DIDN'T PULL NO MORE AND THE ENGINE JUST REVVED. I LET MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THEN IT WENT BACK INTO GEAR. THE CAR CONTINUED TO DO THIS AND THEN IT STARTED TO UPSHIFT THEN SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFT TO THE LOWER GEAR CAUSING A VERY SUDDEN JERK AND CHANGE IN SPEED. I TOOK MY CAR TO HONDA OF CLEVELAND IN CLEVELAND, TN. I TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY SUGGESTED TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST RUN. I AGREED AND THE RESULTS WERE CODES P700 AND P730 INTERNAL FAILURE AND INCORRECT GEAR NEEDS TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL OR REPLACEMENT. I WAS SHOCKED WHEN THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THIS. I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED. I ASKED HIM IF IT COULD BE A DEFECTIVE PART. HE ANSWERED NO. I ASKED IF IT COULD BE COMPUTER RELATED AND HE SAID NO THAT IT WAS A FAILURE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. I ASKED HIM WHAT FAILED. HE COULDN'T TELL ME. HE JUST TOLD ME WHAT THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST CAME UP WITH. THE SERVICE QUOTE FOR A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION INSTALLED WAS FOR $5365.26 WHEN I HEARD THIS QUOTE I SAID "IS THIS MADE OUT OF GOLD". I TOLD HIM THE REASON I BOUGHT A HONDA WAS TO AVOID PROBLEMS LIKE THIS. I ALSO HAD ASKED THE SERVICE PERSON IF HE HAD HEARD OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND HE SAID HE HADN'T. AFTER SEEING THIS SITE AND OTHERS I REALIZED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HOPE THIS COMPLAINT HELPS.

IN JANUARY OF 2000 AFTER 3 TRIPS TO THE HONDA TELLING THEM THAT I HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM (AND BEING TOLD THEIR WAS NOTHING WRONG), MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE SYMPTOM WAS THAT IT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY HARD SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR FROM 3RD WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND LOOSE POWER. THE UNIT HAD THESE SYMPTOMS FOR APPROXIMATELY 24000 MILES, BUT WAS FIRST BROUGHT TO HONDA WITH 9000 MILES ON. HONDA REFUSED TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME THEIR WAS NOTHING WRONG. AT THE TIME, I INDICATED THAT I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY WITH MERGING INTO AND OUT OF TRAFFIC, BUT MY CONCERNS FELL ON DEATH EARS. AFTER THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FINALLY FAILED (2 DAYS AFTER THE LAST TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND COMPLAINED OF THE PROBLEM), A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS FINALLY INSTALLED A MONTH LATER. THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEGUN TO EXHIBIT EXACTLY THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION. BEING CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING THE RUN AROUND, I DECIDED NOT TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER (MADISON HONDA, MADISON, NJ) BUT TO PARAMUS HONDA, PARAMUS, NJ. I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND THE SPECIFIC SYMPTOM (THAT CAN BE RECREATED EVERY TIME), THEY DIAGNOSED THE UNIT AND TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. ADDITIONALLY, HE UNIT HAS BEGUN TO INTERMITTENTLY JITTER WHILE DRIVING IN 4TH GEAR, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER. HONDA SEEMS CONTENT TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERS APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN TOLD BY HONDA OF AMERICA NOT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS UNTIL THEY COMPLETELY F

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 65MPH TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO LOWER GEAR LOSS SPEED, CAUSING TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD. DEALER PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION, FIVE MONTHS LATER CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *TS

WHEN I TURN THE KEY, MY CAR WON'T START. NOT EVERY TIME, BUT ENOUGH TIMES THAT IT MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS THAT EVENTUALLY IT WILL NEVER START. AFTER TURNING THE KEY 2 TO 4 TIMES, IT EVENTUALLY STARTS. DT

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL(002-V12) ON DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER $75 FOR DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING THE ALARM SYSTEM WHILE DOING THE RECALL JOB. *YH

CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A BEARING INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION, AFTER THE WORK WAS COMPLETED, CONSUMER BEGAN EXPERIENCING MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING SMOOTHLY, AFTER BEING REFERRRED TO ANOTHER MECHANIC IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS DEEPER INTO THE TRANSMISSION HAD NOT BEEN ORIGINALLY FOUND BY THE FIRST MECHANIC AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER, BECAUSE HE LEARNED OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON TRANSMISSION THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS OFFERING, HOWEVER IT ONLY APPLIES TO 2000-2001 MODELS.*JB

IN NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH MY 1998 HONDA PRELUDE. THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISES WHICH SEEMED BE COMING FROM WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 49,000 MILES ON IT.

CONSUMER STATES THEY MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE VEHCILE SERVICED FOR RECALL. MR

WHILE BEING DRIVEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL DROP TO A LOWER GEAR. OWNER HAS TO MANUALLY SHIFT LEVER IN ORDER TO GET TRANSMISSION BACK IN HIGHER GEAR. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.AK

CONSUMER IS BEING CHARGED TO HAVE ALARM REMOVED FROM VEHICLE TO INSTALL IGNITION SWITCH. ALARM WAS PUT IN BY DEALER.*AK

FOUR-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY DOWNSHIFTED ON ITS OWN CAUSING THE CAR TO RAPIDLY BRAKE THEN ACCELERATE WITH NO DRIVER CONTROL. AT THE TIME, I WAS TOLD BY HONDA THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING, THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THERE WERE NO REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS AVAILABLE FOR SALE, AND I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SHOP TO HAVE IT REBUILT. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP SHOWED ME THE FRICTION SURFACE ON THE CLUTCHES DISINTEGRATED, CLOGGING THE PUMP AND FILTER WHICH CAUSED THE ERATIC SELF-SHIFTING. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS FAULTY MATERIAL USED IN THE TRANSMISSION. I NOW SEE IN THE LOS ANGELES TIMES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH HONDA AND ACURA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS THAT THE COMPANY HAS BEEN TRYING TO KEEP QUIET.*AK

HONDA STATED THAT THIS REALLY WASN'T A SAFETY ISSUE IT WAS A BOLT FAILURE! NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.