1998 Honda Prelude problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 86 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.8 times the median Prelude year — the 1998 model ranks #2 of 27 Prelude years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 11 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 31 reports (36% of the total).

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Prelude years?

Prelude NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Prelude years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Honda Prelude problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Transmission	31	36%	▼ down
Electrical System	14	16%	▲ up
Suspension	10	12%	— flat
Engine	5	6%	— flat
Airbags	4	5%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	4	5%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	3	3%	▼ down
Steering	3	3%	▲ up
Speed Control	3	3%	▲ up
Brakes	2	2%	▼ down
Other	2	2%	▲ up
Latches & Locks	2	2%	▲ up
Lighting	1	1%	— flat
Seat Belts	1	1%	▼ down
Body & Structure	1	1%	— flat

Does the 1998 Honda Prelude have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E060000LightingJune 29, 2006 · 87,745 units

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."

Consequence

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.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

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.

Consequence

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.

05V025000Electrical SystemJanuary 28, 2005 · 486,659 units

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.

Consequence

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.

02V120000Electrical SystemMay 16, 2002 · 1,000,000 units

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.

Consequence

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.

99V069000SuspensionMay 10, 1999 · 124,875 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 4, 2008 · crash

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 10, 2023

“'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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 1, 1901

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 4, 2005

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 5, 2009

1998 Honda Prelude — common questions

Is the 1998 Honda Prelude reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 86 complaints put the 1998 model at #2 of 27 Prelude years. It is one of the Prelude years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 Prelude problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (31 complaints), electrical system (14 complaints), suspension (10 complaints).

Does the 1998 Honda Prelude have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Honda Prelude. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Honda Prelude under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Honda Prelude years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Prelude years to avoid are 1997, 1998, 1999, 1988, 1989. The cleanest record among Prelude years belongs to 2006.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1998 compare to other Prelude years?

What are the most common 1998 Honda Prelude problems?

Does the 1998 Honda Prelude have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1998 Honda Prelude — common questions

Is the 1998 Honda Prelude reliable?

What are the most common 1998 Prelude problems?

Does the 1998 Honda Prelude have recalls?

Is the 1998 Honda Prelude under NHTSA investigation?

Which Honda Prelude years should you avoid?

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