2000 Honda Prelude problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 2000 Honda Prelude — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Prelude years?

Prelude NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Prelude years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Honda Prelude problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Transmission	7	50%	— flat
Electrical System	3	21%	▼ down
Engine	2	14%	▼ down
Airbags	1	7%	— flat
Speed Control	1	7%	— flat

Does the 2000 Honda Prelude have recalls?

3 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TRANSMISSION CASE IS CRACKED AND THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM VEHICLE. CONTACTED MECHANIC. *AK HONDA CORPORATE OFFERED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION FOR FREE. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY FRONT END COLLISION. *JG”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 1, 2002

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 HONDA PRELUDE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 8, 2015

“I HAVE A 2000 HONDA PRELUDE TYPE SH. IT HAS BEEN MAKING A WEIRD SOUND SO I TOO IT TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THE AUTO TENSIONER AND TIMING BELT NEEDS REPLACED. THE SERVICE IS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE DONE UNTIL 105,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS 77,000 MILES. I RAN INTO THE SAME THING ON MY PREVIOUS PRELUDE WHICH…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 20, 2008

“HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT POOR THROTTLE RESPONSE OR A DEAD SPOT IN THE THROTTLE OF PRELUDE DURING DAYS WHEN TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 80 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THE PROBLEM APPEARS WHEN STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP UP THROUGH 3RD GEAR. PROBLEM EXHIBITS ITSELF AS A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control

“WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH A TREE IN WHICH THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED 3 SECONDS LATE, CAUSING OCCUPANT TO HIT THE STEERING WITH SEATBELT ON, AND SUSTAINING INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 28, 1999 · crash

2000 Honda Prelude — common questions

Is the 2000 Honda Prelude reliable?

The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2000 Prelude problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (7 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints), engine (2 complaints).

Does the 2000 Honda Prelude have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 Honda Prelude. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 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 2000 compare to other Prelude years?

What are the most common 2000 Honda Prelude problems?

Does the 2000 Honda Prelude have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2000 Honda Prelude — common questions

Is the 2000 Honda Prelude reliable?

What are the most common 2000 Prelude problems?

Does the 2000 Honda Prelude have recalls?

Is the 2000 Honda Prelude under NHTSA investigation?

Which Honda Prelude years should you avoid?

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