Honda Prelude Complaints

368 consumer complaints on file.

#10283166September 8, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT, SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE: 1998 HONDA PRELUDE SH (98000 MILES) -VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC -MECHANIC FOUND THAT COMPONENTS: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD ESTIMATED 1/4 INCH OF PLAY (MOVEMENT) WHEN THERE SHOULD BE NO MOVEMENT -NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V069000 IS A RECALL FOR THIS COMPONENT FOR 1998 HONDA PRELUDES -HONDA MOTOR CO. STATES THAT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT APPLY -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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276984July 16, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
APRIL 2007 I HAD THE SHIFT INTERLOCK UPDATE AS WELL AS THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL DONE AT MY LOCAL DEALER. THE SHIFT INTERLOCK UPDATE INCLUDED A WHOLE NEW LOCK ASSEMBLY INCLUDING NEW TUMBLERS AND A NEW KEY BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE MY OLD KEY WHILE NOT IN PARK. JULY 2009 I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION USING MANY DIFFERENT KEYS. SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE TUMBLERS WERE DAMAGED AND THAT THE WHOLE LOCK ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I WAS HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH THE LOCK PRIOR TO THE RECALL WORK. THE NEW LOCK INSTALLED DURING THE RECALL LASTED JUST OVER 2 YEARS AND HONDA WOULD NOT WARRANTY THE WORK BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN OVER 12 MONTHS 12000 MILES. I ASKED THEM TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY MY ORIGINAL LOCK LASTED 10 YEARS AND WAS HAVING NO ISSUES WHEN RECALLED, AND THE REPLACEMENT ONLY 2 YEARS. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T EXPLAIN IT BUT THE CHARGE TO REPLACE WAS $887. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO REPLACE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THE NEW LOCK ASSEMBLY INSTALLED BECAUSE OF THE RECALL WAS DEFECTIVE, AND IT WAS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE FOR ME TO REPLACE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268165May 7, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ATTEMPTED TO REFUEL VEHICLE WHEN SUDDENLY AFTER AN EMPLOYEE TRIED TO REPAIR DISPENSER GASOLINE EXPLODED FROM THE NOZZLE FORCEFULLY INTO MY FACE ESPECIALLY MY LEFT EYE, NOSE AND MOUTH. THE EMPLOYEE COULD NOT STOP THE GASOLINE FROM COMING OUT SO HE THREW THE ENTIRE DISPENSER IN MY CAR FLOOR BOARD. MY THREE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS BUCKLED IN HER CAR SEAT IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS REFUELING ACCIDENT OCCURRED JUNE 2, 1995. IT HAS NEVER BEEN FULLY INVESTIGATED BY COMPETENT EXPERTS TO DETERMINE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT FUTURE REFUELING INJURY, FIRE, AND EXPLOSION. OUR FAMILY HAS PERMANENT INJURY AS A RESULT OF THIS TRAUMATIC REFUELING ACCIDENT WHICH HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED. HOWEVER, NO ONE HAS STEPPED UP TO APOLOGIZE AND HELP OUR FAMILY GET THE MEDICAL TREATMENT NEEDED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10264247April 6, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA PRELUDE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE MOTOR SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING TWO TO THREE TIMES PER DAY. THERE WAS A RECALL ON MAY 17, 2002 AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED IN OCTOBER OF 2002; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO FAILURES AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL REPAIR. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS SHUTTING OFF AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT UNDER RECALL AGAIN. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,125.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263949April 2, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA PRELUDE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V069000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HE WANTS HONDA TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE RECALL DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260925March 6, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY
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 RESULTANT FROM SUBSTANDARD FACTORY INSTALLED EQUIPMENT. THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE CONFIRMS THAT CAR OWNERS, NATIONALLY, HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT SIMILAR CONDITIONS FOR MANY YEARS. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR FACTORY INSTALLATION OF SUBSTANDARD SAFETY EQUIPMENT. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO TAKE ANY STEPS TO REPLACE THIS SUBSTANDARD HEADLIGHT LENSES UNLESS I PAY FOR THE COST OF THEIR REPLACEMENT, WHICH THEY QUOTE TO ME AS $300.00 PER LENS. SINCE THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, I BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258703February 15, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO STOP WORKING IN D(DRIVE) MODE. I HAD TO USE THE MANUAL/ AUTOSTICK TO GET THE CAR TO DRIVE. THERE WAS NO IMPROVEMENT IN THE SHIFTING. I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE A 5 SPEED SWAP DONE AT A PERFORMANCE SHOP. THIS IS MY 3RD HONDA THAT HAS HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254443January 9, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I OWN A HONDA PRELUDE AND RECENTLY THE COMBINATION SWITCH BROKE AND MY CAR SIMPLY SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INJURY OR FURTHER DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I HAD THE PART REPLACED BY MY AUTO MECHANIC. TODAY I LEARNED THAT PART WAS RECALLED AND THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE PART. I STILL HAVE THE PART AND THE RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIRS. THE COSTS OF THE REPAIRS CAME TO $240.00 AND I ALSO HAD TO RENT A VEHICLE TO CONTINUE WORKING WHICH COSTS $ 85.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250460December 2, 2008
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240557September 2, 2008
POWER TRAIN
MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 97 HONDA PRELUDE WENT OUT ON ME IT STARTED TO SLIP EVERY DAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239461August 23, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE AUTOMATIC SPORT SHIFT TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO FAIL. THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARD (JOLTS) THROUGHOUT ALL THE GEARS. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY CAR ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS A PREMATURE MALFUNCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR IS METICULOUSLY CARED FOR, REGULARLY MAINTAINED, OIL CHANGED REGULARLY; TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGED EVERY THIRD OIL CHANGE TO AVOID TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CAR IS NEVER RACED OR REDLINED. I ALSO DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE REPLACING A TRANSMISSION THAT WILL FAIL ONCE AGAIN AS WITH MANY PRELUDE OWNERS. THE HONDA PRELUDE COSTS ABOUT $25,000 AND THUS A $4,000 TRANSMISSION JOB IS 20% OF THE CAR. JUST PLAIN UNREASONABLE!!! THIS HAS BECOME A FINANCIALLY BURDENSOME SITUATION. FURTHERMORE, HONDA HAS RECALLED ALL 1997 PRELUDES IN TURKEY AND HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSIONS WITH UPDATED MH6A UNITS. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE!!! PLEASE, YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER IS GREATLY NEEDED. THANKS *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237312August 7, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 1997 HONDA PRELUDE AUTOMATIC SS CRAPPED OUT ON ME AFTER KICKING AND SLIPPING FOR A FEW MONTHS SO I HAD IT REBUILT...AND NOW A FEW MONTHS LATER IT'S ALREADY SLIPPING AND KICKING AGAIN. IT COST 1500 TO HAVE IT REBUILT THE FIRST TIME, HONDA ALREADY ADDRESSED THE 00-01 PRELUDE AUTO TRANSMISSIONS IN A RECALL, WHY HAVEN'T THE ADDRESSED THE ISSUES IN THE PRIOR YEARS? IT'S THE SAME CAR AS THE 00-01, NO CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE BODY, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND YET THEY REFUSE TO ADDRESS THIS WIDESPREAD ISSUE AMONG PRELUDE OWNERS. I FOR ONE AM TIRED OF IT, HONDA OWES IT TO THEIR LOYAL CONSUMERS THAT THEY CONFRONT THIS ISSUE HEAD ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236897August 4, 2008
SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RICHARD C. YUEN POWAY, CA 92064 MAY 5, 2008 AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. HONDA AUTOMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE 1919 TORRANCE BOULEVARD MAIL STOP: 500 - 2N - 7D TORRANCE, CA 90501-2746 RE: 1999 HONDA PRELUDE VIN #J013 DEAR SIR: WE ARE VERY PLEASED WITH HONDA AUTOMOBILES PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY. WE ARE ALWAYS GOING OUT OUR WAY TO RECOMMEND HONDA CARS TO OUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. HOWEVER, LAST WEDNESDAY EVENING (4/30/08) WHILE DRIVING HOME IN MY HONDA PRELUDE, I HAD A VERY BAD EXPERIENCE WITH THE CAR. I WAS TRAVELING EAST BOUND ON FWY 56 AT AROUND 65 MILES; SUDDENLY I HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDER THE HOOD AND GRINDING NOISES. ALL DASH BOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTIES IN MANEUVERING THE CAR. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY AND STOPPED THE CAR AT THE END OF THE OFF RAMP (CAMINO DEL SUR). THE CAR WAS TOWED TO OUR MECHANICS DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO. SUN INDEPENDENT AUTO REPAIR HAS TAKEN CARE OF OUR HONDA CARS FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS. HE FOUND THE FRONT PULLEY CAME OFF AND FRONT PULLEY STRUT WAS BROKEN IN HALF. HE TOLD US IN ALL HIS YEARS OF SERVICING HONDA CAR, THIS IS THE FIRS TIME FOR HIM. SEE ATTACHED PHOTO. FROM THE PICTURE, YOU CAN SEE THE STRUT IS DEFECTIVE, BROKEN CLEANLY IN HALF. YOU CAN ALSO NOTICE SIGNS OF RUSTING CLOSE TO THE BREAKING POINT. WE HAVE KEPT OUR PRELUDE IN OUR GARAGE AWAY FROM THE WEATHER ELEMENTS. THE CAR HAS NEVER GOT INTO ANY WATER; IN FACT, I HAVE ALWAYS HAND WASHED IT MYSELF. THE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCES ARE FOLLOWED RELIGIOUSLY BY ME. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 54,000 MILES ON IT AFTER NINE YEARS. I AM REQUESTING HONDA TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT THE STRUT IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD REIMBURSE US THE EXPENSES TO REPLACE THE STRUT AND THE FRONT PULLEY (SLIGHTLY BENT NEEDS REPLACEMENT). SEE ATTACHED REPAIR BILL. ADDITIONALLY, HONDA SHOULD NOTICE ALL 1999 PRELUDE OWNERS OF THIS INCIDENCE. SINCERELY, 1999 HONDA PRELUDE FRONT PULLEY STRUT BROKEN STRUTBENT KEY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232064June 23, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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 WAS A 1999 BASE MODEL PRELUDE. HONDA WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL OR HELP FINANCIALLY. THIS COSTS AROUND A $1000 TO FIX. IF THE AUTO TENSIONER FAILS, THE TIMING BELT CAN BREAK LEADING TO A RUINED ENGINE. EVERYONE IN THE HONDA COMMUNITY KNOWS THIS. WHY CAN'T HONDA BE LIABLE TO FIX A DEFECTIVE PART THAT EVERYONE HAS TROUBLE WITH? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230198June 7, 2008
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING 65MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOUD POPPING NOISE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, THERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED A FAILED TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10223692April 8, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 ROLL ON THE PAVEMENT. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE MAILBOX AND CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT STRUCK A POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON JANUARY 30, 2006 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V025000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). THE MANUFACTURER WANTS THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE AND NOTIFY THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT WITH THE RESULTS. THE CONTACT SUSTAIN INJURIES TO HER LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE POWERTRAIN AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,320.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10222472March 27, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 1997 PRELUDE THAT HAS HAD 1 TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN NOV. OF 2005 & IT WAS REBUILT. IT CURRENT IS FAILING THE SAME WAY THE FIRST TRANSMISSION FAILED. IT IS MAKING NOISE & STARTING TO SLIP WHEN IT IS COLD. $1700 TO FIX THE 1ST TRANSMISSION BY A TRANS SHOP. I AM JOINING A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT IF IT IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF FROM HONDA. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10219094February 25, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1998 HONDA PRELUDE W/ SEQUENTIAL SHIFT AUTOMATIC. THE VEHICLE HAS 135,000 MILES ON IT WHEN PURCHASED. AFTER SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, I FOUND MANY PEOPLE REPORTING TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. I EVEN FOUND THAT HONDA HAS RECALLED THE PRELUDE'S IN TURKEY FOR THIS SAME ISSUE, BUT HAS NOT IN THE US. THE REPAIRS COST APPROXIMATELY $2,800. WHY WAS THIS RECALL FACILITATED ON THE SAME VEHICLE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY, BUT NOT IN THE US? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10218189February 16, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 1997 HONDA PRELUDE SPORTS SHIFT AUTO TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NOW IT NEEDS TO BE TOWED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216545January 30, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I RECENTLY BOUGHT MY HONDA PRELUDE BACK IN NOVEMBER 18, 2007 FROM A USED DEALERSHIP. THE CAR CAME WITH 167K MILES AND NOW I'M AT 169K. THE MAIN REASON WHY I AM FILING A COMPLAINT, IS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. I TAKE MY CAR TO WORK, SCHOOL, DRIVE MY MOM TO WORK, AND EVEN MY YOUNGER BROTHER TO SCHOOL. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR WE HAVE. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND JERKS AT LOW RPMS FROM 1K-3K IN 1ST-2ND GEAR. I'VE DONE RESEARCH ON 97-01 HONDA PRELUDES AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS THE MOST FAILS. IF MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GOES OUT I WOULDN'T HAVE THE FUNDS TO REPLACE IT WHILE I'M STILL PAYING FOR INSURANCE AND MONTHLY PAYMENTS. I BELIEVE THAT HONDA SHOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT COST EVEN WITH CARS WITHOUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. ALSO I HEAR THAT THE 99-01 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE STRONGER THAN THE 97-98 YEARS AND WERE ALSO GIVEN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE 99-01 YEARS WITH UNDER 100K MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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