1987 Honda PRELUDE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
133,133 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 14 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 7.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 4 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
1995: 2; 1996: 4; 1998: 1; 1999: 1; 2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2006: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 862837 · 2000-05-31 (May 31, 2000)
CONSUMER BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN GOOD FAITH. WHILE DRIVING SHE NOTICED A FUEL SMELL. CONSUMER DIDN'T KNOW FROM WHERE SMELL WAS COMING AT THAT TIME. BRAKES WERE 75% FRONT AND REAR. TIRES WERE 50% THREAD AND MIXMATCHED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAS A DAMAGE FROM PREVIOUS MAJOR ACCIDENT AND FUEL TAND WAS REPLACED INCORRECTLY. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 862837 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504402 · 1996-07-16 (July 16, 1996)
TIE ROD ON FRONT STEERING MECHANISM STRIPPED OFF, LEAVING DRIVER WITHOUT STEERING CAPABILITIES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504402 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
14 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 3553.0%ODI 10001447 · 80,000 miWHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. TS THE TRANSMISSION STALLED, DIDN'T SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY, AND WOULD JERK, ALL WHILE IN MOTION AND/OR SPEEDING UP. SCC | 2333.3%ODI 10004849 · 39,817 miWHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 65MPH TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO LOWER GEAR LOSS SPEED, CAUSING TO PULL OUT OF THE ROAD. DEALER PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION, FIVE MONTHS LATER CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *TS | 39.7%ODI 10010156 · 46,000 mi1999 HONDA PRELUDE SPORT SHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 46,000 MILES AND AT A SPEED OF 36 MPH AS DOCUMENTED BY HONDA! I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG AND NEITHER HAS ANY OTHER PRELUDE OWNER AND HONDA WANTS $6,000 DOLLARS OF MY HARD EARNED MONEY! YES THAT'S 1/4 THE TOTAL COST OF THE CAR BRAND NEW! PLEASE HELP. *NLM | 646.2%ODI 10137016 · 73,571 miI RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FROM THE AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR COMPANY STATING THAT I NEEDED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER, DUE MY FROM MY CAR WHATSOEVER TRANSMISSION. 2 WEEKS LATER I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE MY KEY FROM MY CAR WHATSOEVER REVERSE, OR PLACE MY CAR IN PARK SO THEREFORE I PARKED IN NEUTRAL WITH THE BRAKE ON MY RECALL NOTICE SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT THESE EXACT PROBLEMS WOULD OCCUR AND WOULD BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE OR REIMBURSED. AND HONDA DEALER I FOLLOWED INSTRUCTION FROM RECALL LETTER AND HONDA DEALER HAS FAILE… | 314.3%ODI 10007887 · 18,000 miAT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED FROM 4TH (4 SPEED AUTOMATIC SEQUENTIAL SPORT SHIFT) TO 2ND. CAR LURCHED SUDDENLY FORWARD WITH NO INDICATION TO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME THAT I WAS SLOWING DOWN. IF THE PERSON BEHIND ME HAD BEEN ANY CLOSER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN REARENDED -- IN THIS CASE IT WAS A LARGE TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK. |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 111.1%ODI 10940188CAR WAS DRIVING NORMAL THEN JUST SHUT OFF. CRANKS WON'T START I WAS DRIVING NORMAL THEN IT JUST SHUT OFF. AND NOW IT CRANKS OVER WON'T START. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 23.0%ODI 10276984 · 120,000 miAPRIL 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 PROBL… | 811.6%ODI 10264247 · 50,125 miTL*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. | 39.7%ODI 10109458 · 67,061 miREPEATED (2 TIMES) SAFETY RELATED ENGINE MALFUNCTION CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND POWER OF THE VEHICLE. *BF IVOQ 10100766 PROVIDED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION DURING A RAIN STORM, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN WHILE ON AN EXIT RAMP. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THIS OCCURRED DUE A BROKEN CAM SEAL AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE CAM SEAL. BACK IN OCTOBER THE TIMING BELT HAD BROKEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTI… | 215.4%ODI 10130205 · 54,351 mi2000 HONDA PRELUDE FUEL CAP WAS LOOSE, AND THE RADIO BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED.*MR THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE STARTER UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE TOOK LONGER THAN NORMAL TO START. *NM | 29.5%ODI 10198325 · 101,960 miON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE ENGINE CUTS OFF, WITHOUT WARNING, NO JERKING, NOTHING. THE DASH HAD THREE LIGHTS LIT AS WHEN YOU TURN THE IGNITION ON BEFORE YOU START THE CAR. THE CAR CAN BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENGINE DIES. TAKING IT TO HONDA ON 8/7/07.*JB |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 38.6% | 29.5% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 213.3%ODI 557457CONSUMER PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE WHICH WAS IN NEED OF A NEW ENGINE, AFTER SOME TIME THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO HAVE A USED ENGINE INSTALLED AFTER INSTALLATION IT WAS NOTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BAD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT RUN (HEAD GASKET, SHORT BLOCK, HEAD ASSEMBLY, TIMING BELT AND OIL PAN). NLM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 19.1%ODI 700351I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR ME TO DO, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE MOUNTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. | 111.1%ODI 835869THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE AIR CONDITIONER. THIS CAUSED THE AIR CONDITIONER TO NOT RELEASE AIR. ALSO, WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH THE ENGINE STALLED OUT. *AK | 116.7% | 250.0%ODI 741527THE MAIN BEARINGS IN MY MOTOR SPUN AND ARE SCORED, THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE TO THE CRANKSHAFT AND BEARING JOURNALS. DUE TO THIS LOSS OF PRESSURE THE ENGINE BLOCK,CRANKSHAFT,JOURNALS, AND MAIN BEARINGS ARE RUINED. THE TOP HALF OF MY MOTOR IS FINE INCLUDING THE DUAL OVERHEAD CAM,PISTONS,VALVES,LIFTERS,CONNECTING RODS,ETC. I HEARD OF A RECALL OF MID 1990 HONDA ENGINES RECENTLY FOR SOME SORT OF THROWOUT BEARING OR ROD BEARING FAILURE THAT CAUSES THE ENGINE TO LOSE OIL PRESSURE CAUSING SEVERE WEAR LIKE WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING. THE COSTS… | 23.0%ODI 10031193 · 10,000 miENGINE HESITATION OFF-IDLE WHEN ENGINE IS WARMED, ESPECIALLY IN HOT WEATHER. SLOW, WEAK, NOISY IDLE WITH A/C RUNNING. *NLM | 11.4%ODI 703874HONDA REFUSES TO FIX PROBLEM. PARTLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW HOW. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 514.3%ODI 816232RECALL # 95V103001, CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN OCTOBER OF 97. NO PROBLEM WITH BUCKLE AT THAT TIME. THE BUCKLE HAS BEEN BROKEN SINCE MAY OF 97. CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO GET RECALL WORK PERFORMED BECAUSE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER WAS DELAYING THE REPAIR CLAIMING PARTS HAD NOT COME IN. THE CONSUMER ALSO MENTIONED THAT THIS DEALERS CHARGES WERE MUCH MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT OF OTHER DEALERS IN THE AREA. *YH | 628.6%ODI 540678FRONT BELT BUCKLE REPLACED ACCORDANCE WITH A RECALL CAMPAIGN 95V103001, THE REPLACED BUCKLE REFUSED TO LATCH AFTERWARD BEING REPLACED. ABOUT 75% OF THE TIME THE BUCKLE WOULD APPEAR TO BE SNAP, BUT AFTER YANKING ON THE BELT IT WOULD RELEASE FROM AT THE BUCKLE. | 125.0%ODI 960474DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION, HARD TO LATCH SAFETY BELTS. TT | 320.0%ODI 488840SEAT BELT APPEARS TO CLASP WHEN ENGAGED, HOWEVER SAFETY LIGHT GOES ON, NECESSITATING REENGAGEMENT UNTIL LIGHT GOES OUT. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.4%ODI 781367DRIVER TRAVELING ON A TWO LANE ROAD, TWO VEHICLES WHERE IN FRONT, THERE WAS AN ABRUPT STOP, AND THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK, NOR DID THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY, THE FAILURE FORCED THE DRIVER INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED IT. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 925.7%ODI 10177829 · 192,638 miI [XXX] AND [XXX], OWN A 1988 HONDA PRELUDE SI 4WS. VEHICLE VIN: [XXX]. AT THE ENDING WEEK OF DECEMBER WHILE DRIVING IT STARTED TO SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD AREA AND LACK OF CONTROL ON POWER STEERING OCCURRED. WENT TO LOCAL HONDA DEALERSHIP CASON HONDA LOCATED AT 1445 E.223RD ST.CARSON, CA 90745 [phone removed] ON 12/22/06, LISA RODRIGUEZ ASSIST ME WITH MY VEHICLE CONCERNS. SHE PERFORMED A VIN STATUS INQUIRY IT STATED THE RECALL 88-014 C WAS COMPLETED ALREADY. SO I CONTACT AMERICAN HONDA WARRANTY ASSISTANCE HELP LINE AT [phone removed]. SPOKE WI… | 733.3%ODI 518145BRAKES SQUEAL. ALSO, POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK/ RADIATOR HOSE MELTS DUE TO CLOSE PROXIMITY TO MANIFOLD/ TRANSMISSION FAILURE/ WINDOWS FOG UP AND CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGES, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. VEHICLE SWERVES/UNEVEN BACK TIRE WEAR. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.4% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 627.3%ODI 740922THIS CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED! IT IS SMASHED ALL IN THE FRONT, THE BACK IS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND DOWN TO THE GROUND...AND THE DRIVER SIDE IS CAVED IN ALSO, AND THIS AIRBAG COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE HEAD INJURY, AND BRUISING DOWN BY THE STEERING WHEEL. BUT THE AIRBAG FAILED !!!!*AK | 19.1%ODI 963243CONSUMER WAS DRIVING HIT A POT HOLE BLOW THE TIRE AND AIR BAG DEPLOYED. TT | 222.2% | 116.7%ODI 10049040 · 109,000 miOUR HONDA PRELUDE WAS REAR ENDED SENDING IT INTO ANOTHER CAR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 23.0%ODI 10017107 · 78,000 miSRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AFTER LESS THAN SIX YEARS OF OWNERSHIP (OWNER'S MANUAL INDICATES AIRBAG MAINTENANCE AT TEN YEARS). DEALER SAYS THE SRS UNIT MUST BE REPLACED. *NLM | 22.9%ODI 10156971 · 160,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE DRIVER MADE A SHARP TURN AND THE VEHICLE FLIPPED CAUSING A CRASH. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS TOWED AWAY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES EVEN THOUGH SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 5/23/2006 - *NM | 13.2%ODI 838488VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK | 17.7%ODI 854741WHILE 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 17.1%ODI 566263THE VEHICLE'S OIL PAN PLUG STRIPPED WHENEVER THE OIL WAS CHANGED. *TT *NM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 29.5%ODI 503243TIMING BELT BROKE, BENDING THE VALVES, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *DH | 125.0% | 16.7%ODI 721558BOUGHT THE CAR AND THE ENGINE BLEW UP AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE THE WAS NO REASON WHY THE ENGINE BLEW OUT AND CAUGHT ON FIRE.... IT THREW A ROD. *AK | 14.5%ODI 8015276VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTISIDE OF CONSUMER'S HOME, AND HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK | 19.1%ODI 865298BOUGHT VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED, AND WAS TOLD THAT OIL DRAIN PLUG ON THE ENGINE OIL PAN WILL BE STRIPPED. DESIGN DEFECT, OIL PANS ARE MADE OUT OF A SOFT METAL WHICH CAUSES THE THREADS TO STRIP OUT PREMATURELY. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 23.0%ODI 10034521PROBLEMS 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 CONTINUED TO EXIST. *PH *JB | 22.9%ODI 10014372CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF SINCE 70,000 MILES. DESPITE PASSING E-CHECK I SEE THAT THIS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH OTHER HONDA MODELS. *NLM | 26.5%ODI 10110870 · 67,067 miTHE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A BROKEN CAM SEAL WHICH ALLOWED OIL TO LEAK FROM THE ENGINE. NM THE OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE EXIT AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE DEALER PERFORMED A SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CHECK UP AND OIL CHANGE ON THE VEHICLE 10 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE LEAKING CAM SEAL WENT UNDISCOVERED OR UNMENTIONED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BECAUSE THE CONSUMER DROVE A HALF OF A MILE WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. … | 215.4%ODI 10232064 · 77,500 miI 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… | 14.8%ODI 10139190TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILING, BELT FLAPPING BETWEEN 1800 AND 3000 RPMS UPON ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. *JB |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 17.1%ODI 10156536 · 133,133 miIGNITION SWITCH - THE VEHICLE WILL START BUT WHEN THE KEY IS RELEASED FROM START THE ENGINE DIES. THIS PROBLEM MAY BE REPEATED OR WILL AGAIN START WORKING CORRECTLY. *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 14.5%ODI 10176626 · 196,750 miMY IGNITION SWITCH JUST STARTED NOT TO LONG AGO TO FAIL ON ME. STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS LIKE A WEEK AGO NOTICING MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERING. I CHECKED MY FUSES AND THEY WERE ALL OK. TWO DAYS LATER MY CAR TURNED ON AND TURNED OFF WHEN I WENT TO START IT. TRIED TO START IT AGAIN AND KEPT RUNNING. FOR FIVE DAYS EVERYTHING WAS OKAY BUT JUST NOTICED THAT MY LIGHTS WERE STILL KIND OF FLICKERING (DASH). TWO DAYS AGO IT DIDN'T WANT TO STAY ON. IN THE SECOND POSITION OF MY IGNITION, MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS THAT WILL NORMALLY COME ON DIDN'T AND WHEN I STA… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 57.6%ODI 10137845 · 138,701 miDT: THE CONSUMER HAD RECALL 05V018000 REPAIR WORK COMPLETED ON FRIDAY. THE RECALL INVOLVED THE IGNITION SWITCH.. ON SUNDAY SHE NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT WORK. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE BLOWER WAS OUT ON THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WOULD BE $489.00. THE CONSUMER FELT THIS PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL REPAIR WORK THAT HAD BEEN COMPLETED ON FRIDAY. SHE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FROM 8AM TO 12:15 PM BEFORE THE DEALER FINISHED INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. *AK | 34.3%ODI 568132THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL(002-V12) ON DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONSUMER $75 FOR DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING THE ALARM SYSTEM WHILE DOING THE RECALL JOB. *YH | 39.7%ODI 10148946 · 82,553 miTOOK 1999 HONDA PRELUDE IN TO THE CARSON HONDA TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AND DO THE 90 MILE MAJOR SERVICE AS REQUIRED BY HONDA CARE COVERAGE. WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE IGNITION, AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE MY IGNITION, FREE OF CHARGE. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR THEY TOLD ME MY BILL WAS 860.57. THERE WERE CHARGES ON THE INVOICE THAT WHERE NOT COVERED BY MY WARRANTY. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS CHANGED, BUT THEY SAY SAID THAT I HAD TO PURCHASE THE NEW KEY OF 39.00. I SAID NO THAT IT WORKED FINE BEFORE I BROUGHT IT IN . THEY SA… | 17.7%ODI 10137016 · 73,571 miI RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FROM THE AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR COMPANY STATING THAT I NEEDED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE AUTHORIZED HONDA DEALER, DUE MY FROM MY CAR WHATSOEVER TRANSMISSION. 2 WEEKS LATER I WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE MY KEY FROM MY CAR WHATSOEVER REVERSE, OR PLACE MY CAR IN PARK SO THEREFORE I PARKED IN NEUTRAL WITH THE BRAKE ON MY RECALL NOTICE SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT THESE EXACT PROBLEMS WOULD OCCUR AND WOULD BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE OR REIMBURSED. AND HONDA DEALER I FOLLOWED INSTRUCTION FROM RECALL LETTER AND HONDA DEALER HAS FAILE… | 14.8%ODI 10186709 · 36,663 miTL*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 CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 36,663.*AK LEFT MESSAGE 10/16/07 . *LJ |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | Too few reports for a range | 133,133 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10156536 · 133,133 miIGNITION SWITCH - THE VEHICLE WILL START BUT WHEN THE KEY IS RELEASED FROM START THE ENGINE DIES. THIS PROBLEM MAY BE REPEATED OR WILL AGAIN START WORKING CORRECTLY. *JB |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2000: 5 complaints · 2001: 8 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 2001 | 1 | 5 | 8 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 10 | 2 | 1 |
| 2001 | 20 | 1 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights | Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch | Fuel System, Gasoline | Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.