2001 Honda Prelude

Routine

Owners filed 21 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › manual transmission. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Manual Transmission4
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip2
100
Power Train › Clutch Assembly2
000
Electrical System2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor1
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter1
000
Power Train1
102
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting06E060000
Filed Jun 29, 200687,745 vehiclesAai Motorsports Usa, Llc

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.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

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.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch05V025000
Filed Jan 28, 2005486,659 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power TrainCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 9, 2019142,000 milesID

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.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 12, 2013NC

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

Air BagsCrash
Filed May 10, 2011130,000 milesCA

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 19, 2010110,000 milesNC

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

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Sep 20, 2010105,000 milesIL

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.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 21, 201069,000 milesWA

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

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Nov 10, 2009139,000 milesCA

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

Electrical System
Filed Aug 2, 2007101,960 milesCA

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed May 19, 2007CT

BRAKES ARE STICKING AND CAUSING THE CAR TO VIBRATE AND EMIT A LOW HUMMING NOISE. WHEN I PUT MY FOOT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PULLED IT UP THE NOISE WENT AWAY. HONDA DEALERSHIPS HAD'CUT THE ROTORS THREE TIMES, WHICH WAS NOT IN ANY WAY NORMAL! THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO REFUSED TO FIX IT, BUT DIDN'T THE NEED TO CUT THE ROTORS THREE TIMES INDICATE A SERIOUS PROBLEM?*AK

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Apr 2, 200736,663 milesMI

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

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Jul 31, 2006AZ

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY LAST YEAR, I HEARD A SCREECHING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF MY 2001 HONDA PRELUDE. ABOUT APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS LATER I HEARD SOMETHING FALL ONTO THE STREET AND VERY HOT AIR BEGAN BLOWING OUT MY AIR CONDITIONER (WHICH UP UNTIL THAT POINT WAS BLOWING VERY COLD AIR). IT TURNS OUT THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER CLUTCH PULLEY FELL OFF MY CAR AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT BY HONDA. THEY SEEM NOT TO CARE AND THUS REFUSE TO FIX IT. I RESIDE IN ARIZONA WHERE TEMPERATURES REACH 110 PLUS IN THE SUMMER. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO NORTH AMERICAN HONDA IN THE HOPES THAT SOME RESOLUTION COULD BE RESOLVED, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT. AIR CONDITION PULLEYS DO NOT JUST FALL OFF A VEHICLE! *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 10, 2005CA

TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILING, BELT FLAPPING BETWEEN 1800 AND 3000 RPMS UPON ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. *JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jan 11, 200549,000 milesMD

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

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed May 21, 2004NV

TRANSMISSION BROKE. SOMETHING FLEW OUT OF TRANSMISSION, AND SHOT OUT BELOW CAUSE: CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL CAME APART. THIS WAS ALL STOCK, IF IT HAD SHOT UP I MIGHT HAVE BEEN INJURED. *AK

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Oct 31, 200335,035 milesTX

CAR DID NOT GO INTO ANY OF THE GEARS FREELY. THE CULPRIT WAS A POORLY DESIGNED CLUTCH DISC. THE SPRINGS ON THE DISC POPPED OUT OF THE DISC RESULTING IN CLUTCH FAILURE. *LA

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter
Filed Sep 27, 2003NY

MY HONDA PRELUDE 2001 VIBRATES SEVERELY AFTER DRIVING 2 HOURS AT A STEADY SPEED. HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES; NO PROBLEMS FOUND. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FAULT; I AM PLANNING TO SELL IT BUT DON'T WANT TO ENDANGER SOMEONE ELSE.CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY NO OTHER PRELUDE OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR MALFUNCTIONS.

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed May 29, 200344,527 milesCA

SPRING CAGES ON STOCK CLUTCH FAILED, CAUSING CLUTCH TO FAIL TO DISENGAGE RELIABLY. THIS PREVENTED SHIFTING OUT OF, AND INTO GEAR. THERE WAS NO PRIOR INDICATION OF ONCOMING FAILURE. THE OTHER 3 OF 4 SPRING PERCHES AROUND THE CLUTCH HUB SHOWED SIGNS OF EMINENENT FAILURE AS WELL.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 20, 200318,000 milesOH

AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED FROM 4TH (4 SPEED AUTOMATIC SEQUENTIAL SPORT SHIFT) TO 2ND. CAR LURCHED SUDDENLY FORWARD WITH NO INDICATION TO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME THAT I WAS SLOWING DOWN. IF THE PERSON BEHIND ME HAD BEEN ANY CLOSER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN REARENDED -- IN THIS CASE IT WAS A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK.

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Aug 21, 2002WI

BRAKE SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING AND ENGAGING INVOLUNTARILY. FRONT END VIBRATES. ALSO, LEFT WHEEL GETS HOT AND LOCKS UP. VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND SHOULD ROLL BACK WHEN THE FOOT IS TAKEN OFF OF BRAKE PEDAL ON AN INCLINE. INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE TO THE POINT WHERE THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PULL OFF OF THE ROAD, FOR A THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER AND HOSE HAVE BEEN REPLACED. CONSUMER DOES NOT KNOW IF THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED. *SCC

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jul 22, 2002WA

THE ABS CONTROL UNIT FIRST FAILED AT 12692 MILES LAST APRIL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE AND RESET THE CODES. I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE UNIT FAILED AGAIN IT WOULD BE REPLACED. IT FAILED LAST FRIDAY. THE DEALER DOES NOT STCK THE CONTROL UNIT AND IT TAKES 3-5 WORKING DAYS TO ORDER THE PART. THE CONTROL UNIT IS NOW GIVING INTERMITTENT FAILURE SIGNALS AS THE CAR IS DRIVEN. *AK

20 of 21 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1998
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20060100Routine
20050100Routine
20040100Routine
20030100Routine
20020100Routine
2001 — this page21300Routine
200013300Routine
199931400Routine
199869501Fatalities reported
199766500Routine
19964610Routine
19956500Routine
19949510Routine
199311500Routine
199222500Routine
199115121Fatalities reported
19904100Routine

Compare every Prelude year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 29, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.