MYRModel Year Report

1997 Honda Prelude

○ Not enough data
1997 Honda Prelude
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:47:21.204Z

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
66
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

64% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 5 complaints 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 12 complaints 1987: 14 complaints 1988: 35 complaints 1988 1989: 21 complaints 1990: 4 complaints 1991: 15 complaints 1991 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 11 complaints 1994: 9 complaints 1994 1995: 6 complaints 1996: 4 complaints 1997: 66 complaints 1997 66 1998: 69 complaints 1999: 31 complaints 2000: 13 complaints 2000 2001: 21 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2003: 0 complaints 2003 2004: 0 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2006: 0 complaints 2006
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1986: 12 complaints 1986 1987: 14 complaints 1988: 35 complaints 1988 1989: 21 complaints 1990: 4 complaints 1990 1991: 15 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1992 1993: 11 complaints 1994: 9 complaints 1994 1995: 6 complaints 1996: 4 complaints 1997: 66 complaints 1997 66 1998: 69 complaints 1999: 31 complaints 2000: 13 complaints 2000 2001: 21 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 0 complaints 2004: 0 complaints 2004 2005: 0 complaints 2006: 0 complaints 2006
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 5 complaints 1984 1985: 7 complaints 1985 1986: 12 complaints 1986 1987: 14 complaints 1987 1988: 35 complaints 1988 1989: 21 complaints 1989 1990: 4 complaints 1990 1991: 15 complaints 1991 1992: 22 complaints 1992 1993: 11 complaints 1993 1994: 9 complaints 1994 1995: 6 complaints 1995 1996: 4 complaints 1996 1997: 66 complaints 1997 66 1998: 69 complaints 1998 1999: 31 complaints 1999 2000: 13 complaints 2000 2001: 21 complaints 2001 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 0 complaints 2003 2004: 0 complaints 2004 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

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

64% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I bought this car used and have had good luck with Honda's in the past but about 300 miles of me owning this vehicle I was entering a freeway when all of a sudden I lost all power with cars going highway speed behind me I had to pull off to the...

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-09-09

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-04-07

Suspension

12% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing lower ball joint and control arm.

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, 2003-09-11

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Brakes failed several times. Yh

NHTSA ODI report, 2000-03-31

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Electrical system

11% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing switch.

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Honda Prelude. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-07

Equipment

8% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing air conditioner and radio/tape deck/cd etc..

CRASH

Tires

8% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing tread/belt and sidewall.

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1999-05-17Suspension99V069000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2002-06-14Electrical system02V120000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2005-01-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-02-02 Ignition-park interlock
  4. R
    2005-03-07Electrical system05V025000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Honda Prelude — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 42 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 7 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 99V069000 · Suspension
  • Recall 02V120000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 05V025000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
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, accounting for 64% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Honda Prelude have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.