2001 Honda Prelude problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 25 complaints on file for the 2001 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 2001 compare to other Prelude years?

Prelude NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Prelude years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Honda Prelude problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Transmission	11	44%	▲ up
Brakes	4	16%	▲ up
Electrical System	4	16%	▲ up
Lighting	1	4%	— flat
Steering	1	4%	▼ down
Body & Structure	1	4%	— flat
Engine	1	4%	▼ down
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	4%	▼ down
Airbags	1	4%	— flat

Does the 2001 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.

“TAKATA RECALL ANY TIME I PUT MY CAR IN D4 (AUTOMATIC) IT GETS TO ABOUT 2500 RPM TO 3000 RPM IN 1ST THEN I HAVE TO MESSAGE THE THROTTLE SO IT WILL SHIFT AND ONCE IT SHIFTS TO 2ND IT STARTS SHIFTING VERY QUICKLY NO MATTER THE RPMS TO 3RD THEN 4TH. ALSO WHEN IT'S SHIFTING IT JERKS PRETTY VIOLENTLY.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 6, 2019 · crash

“WAS GOING 15 MPH. CAR IN FRONT SLAMED ON BRAKES, WE SLAMMED ON BRAKES, THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR,AND THE CAR DIDN'T STOP. RAN INTO THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF US AND SMASHED THE RIGHT CORNER PANEL.*AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 6, 2001 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HONDA PRELUDE. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START, BUT THE ANTI THEFT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 05V02500. THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 31, 2007

“MY HONDA PRELUDE 2001 VIBRATES SEVERELY AFTER DRIVING 2 HOURS AT A STEADY SPEED. HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES; NO PROBLEMS FOUND. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FAULT; I AM PLANNING TO SELL IT BUT DON'T WANT TO ENDANGER SOMEONE ELSE.CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY NO OTHER PRELUDE OWNERS HAVE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 7, 2003

“WHILE DRIVING THE CAR JUST TURNS OFF THEN WONT START FOR AWHILE WHEN STARTS BACK UP SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WE KNOW THERE IS A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH AND INTERIOR LIGHTS ON THIS VEHICLE WE HAVE THREE KIDS THAT RIDE IN THIS CAR AND DON'T WANT SOMETHING TO HAPPEN WHILE WE ARE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · June 11, 2009

2001 Honda Prelude — common questions

Is the 2001 Honda Prelude reliable?

The record is thin — 25 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 2001 Prelude problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (11 complaints), brakes (4 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints).

Does the 2001 Honda Prelude have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Honda Prelude. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 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 2001 compare to other Prelude years?

What are the most common 2001 Honda Prelude problems?

Does the 2001 Honda Prelude have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2001 Honda Prelude — common questions

Is the 2001 Honda Prelude reliable?

What are the most common 2001 Prelude problems?

Does the 2001 Honda Prelude have recalls?

Is the 2001 Honda Prelude under NHTSA investigation?

Which Honda Prelude years should you avoid?

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