MYRModel Year Report

1997 Honda Prelude

○ Not enough data
1997 Honda Prelude
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:01:33.953Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Honda Prelude Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 12 complaints 1987: 14 complaints 1988: 35 complaints 1989: 21 complaints 1989 1990: 4 complaints 1991: 15 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 11 complaints 1993 1994: 9 complaints 1995: 6 complaints 1996: 4 complaints 1997: 66 complaints 1997 1998: 69 complaints 1999: 31 complaints 2000: 13 complaints 2001: 21 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2003: 0 complaints 2004: 0 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints 2006
1997: 66 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19812
19831
19845
19857
198612
198714
198835
198921
19904
199115
199222
199311
19949
19956
19964
199766
199869
199931
200013
200121
20020
20030
20040
20050
20060

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 53%

53% of complaints: power train — 35 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20140407

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 5 distinct reports on file.

SUSPENSION 5%

5% of complaints: suspension — 3 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

PROBLEMS WITH BALL JOINTS, BRAKES, AIR CONDITIONER, RADIO, WINDSHIELD AND SEATS.*MR IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE BURNED OIL, THE VEHICLE HAD A HARD TIME GOING BACKWARDS. CONSUMER HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WITH THE VEHICLE GOING OUT CONTROL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030911

POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 3 distinct reports on file.

EQUIPMENT 5%

5% of complaints: equipment — 3 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19990517 — suspension

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 SUS

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

Campaign 99V069000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20020614 — electrical system

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 VEHIC

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

Campaign 02V120000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050113 — PE (closed 20050202)

IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK

R 20050307 — electrical system

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 SH

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. OWNE

Campaign 05V025000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060801 — exterior lighting

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 RE

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.

Campaign 06E060000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Honda Prelude — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (35 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 99V069000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V120000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V025000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E060000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 1997 Honda Prelude reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Honda Prelude?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 53% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Honda Prelude have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.