VehicleVerdict

1997 Honda Prelude transmission problems

The 1997 Honda Prelude has 42 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 48% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

42

Transmission complaints

48%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Prelude transmission complaints by model year42 complaints1989: 1 complaints1992: 3 complaints1993: 2 complaints1994: 1 complaints1997: 42 complaints1998: 31 complaints1999: 8 complaints2000: 7 complaints2001: 11 complaints
Prelude transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

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. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEMS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 27, 1998 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1997 Honda Prelude have?

NHTSA has 42 complaints about the 1997 Honda Prelude transmission — 48% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.