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 now 186573 miles on the second transmission.
The worst 1998 Honda Prelude problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission31
- Electrical12
- Suspension9
- Engine5
- Airbags4
- Visibility4
- Acceleration3
- Steering3
- Brakes2
- Locks2
- Wheels2
- Body1
- Driver assistance1
- Lights1
- Seat belts1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Honda Prelude
Recalls 3
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 05V025000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 02V120000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 99V069000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 1998 Honda Prelude
Defect investigations
Ignition-park interlock
The above failure report counts are for model year (my) 1999 - 2001 honda accord models that were not within the scope of a related honda recall action (the federal safety agency 03v423); these vehicles were investigated by odi under defect petition (dp) 04-006.complaint information for other models and model years was not obtained by odi.the noted population indicates the number of vehicles (including the my 2002 accord plus the prelude and tl models) that are within the scope of honda?s new recall (the federal safety agency 05v‑025, honda p68, p69); 402,525 of these were investigated in dp04-006.seepart 573 documents related to 05v‑025 for further detail on other models and mys.odi notes that, according to honda?s analysis, interlock system warranty rates for the tl and prelude models involved in 05v‑025 are similar to those of the accord models.information provided by honda during dp04-006 indicates that certain vehicles containing interlock systems made by its japanese lock manufacturing facility may contain defective internal components.in combination with certain wear and usage factors, this may lead to a condition that prevents the system from blocking removal of the ignition key when the vehicle is not in park.if the driver leaves the transmission in a non-park position and fails to set the hand brake when parking, the vehicle may roll away and crash.interlock systems manufactured by honda?s u.s. Lock manufacturer do not appear to contain this defect and are therefore not included in the recall action. In a letter dated january 27, 2005, honda advised that it will conduct a safety recall to either upgrade (for operative systems) or repair (for inoperative systems) subject interlock systems with new design level components that do not contain the defect.
PE05002
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Honda Prelude 74
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint
- Concerns with engine hesitation or stumble CAN be felt under light acceleration between 1,500 and 2,000 RPM
- DTC (diagnostic trouble code) P1279, pgm tester software error
- A condition exist where the upper windshield molding is warped or deformed
- Concerns with warped or deformed windshield molding
- Type 1 immobi brake codes available on the interactive network (HONDA)
- Honda diagnostic system locked, needs immobilizer release password
- Heater blower motor gets hot or blows a fuse
- Automatic transmission diagnostic trouble code P0740, P0741 repair tips
- Brake system indicator comes on and goes off
1998 Honda Prelude fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-20 | 24-25 | 21-22 |
What 1998 Honda Prelude owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
While driving or at stop light, car stalls without warning. Must have a jump to restart and can only drive 5-10 miles before car stalls saying battery not charging. Battery and alternator both test as good. Car may start and run normally for several days then problem reappears.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 honda prelude. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, the interior lighting illuminated; however, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was taken to norm reeves honda superstore west covina (1840 e garvey ave s, west covina, ca 91791, (626) 251-2995) where it was diagnosed that there was electrical failure. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v120000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
While the car is in motion driving on the free way the car will shut off due to ignition switch or tumbler any key movement will cause the car to shut off making the steering wheel to lock up vary dangerous to travel with children.
Honda recall honda parts defective or poor workmanship. Honda dealership in jasper, alabama is not honoring replacement of known defective parts on my 1998 honda prelude. The following includes known defective automatic transmission, known defective ignition module/switch/ignition interlock systems. All three have failed completely and or are in the process of failing. My vehicle is unsafe it cuts off while driving down the road sometimes not restarting. The key will switch to off position and come out while the gear shift lever is not in park with the e-brake not pulled. My car is experiencing all the faults stated in numerous reports on this website and in hondas own recalls. I have done extensive research and hundreds off people suffer from these same problems that honda will not acknowledge is faulty/defective/has poor workmanship on the 1997-1998 models. There own negligence has allowed many affected year model parts to be installed, they are refusing to honor stated warranty printed in all owners manuals. A investigation for these model years are needed as it is costing people thousands of out of pocket dollars to this very day including myself along lost wages. Vehicle break downs not allowing to make it to work. I also expect to be reimbursed for all costs out of pocket from said faults which I bet honda shall not even though its stated they will in there warranty and owners manuals for 1997-1998 honda prelude. I have included attachments of multiple cases further reiterating this is indeed a defect and or poor workmanship of these vehicles and said parts. As a note my 1998 honda prelude has less than 190,000 miles on all the original equipment that is failing so mileage can be taken out of the equation as most vehicles never experience this amount of problems and multiple failures of this magnitude in that window. I'm calling in the lemon law if applicable.
My 1998 v-tec honda prelude recently hit 157000 miles and shortly after has been experiencing loss of power, stalling, and loss of steering. Within 5 weeks I have experienced it stall and instantly restart while going through an intersection, lose all power and steering while turning through an intersection, and lose power and steering while going 55 MPH down the highway. Upon doing some research on this website, across the internet and speaking with some mechanics I believe these issues to be in line with two major recalls that were done on my year make and model of vehicle however I have come to find out that my vehicle among many others were excluded from these recalls (recall #'s 99v069000, 02v12000). Most of these issues would not even present themselves until the car reached a certain amount of wear and tear and the fact that some vehicles were excluded when they present the same issues is deplorable and has put many lives at risk as these are both considered life threatening issues.
On the morning of october 27, 2012, there was an accident. The airbags deployed. Per the detective that spoke with my husband, the airbag broke our son's neck and they believe death was instant. (I hope so). This was a used vehicle that apparently had several owners. The last owner prior to our son was [xxx]. It was purchased from him the day after thanksgiving 2009. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr updated 2/13/13
On my third transmission for this car, I have become scared to drive it. When making left turns my transmission will randomly choose when to engage in the correct gear. There have been many close accidents in this car and I am no longer able to make left turns. This happens on the freeway at times and I am unable to pull over at a safe speed because this models transmission is faulty. This is an issue with this model for quite some time and I feel cheated and un-safe in this vehicle.
1. Driving under normal conditions. 2. Car stalled at stop light (3 times). Was able to restart car without disrupting traffic. Car stalled at freeway speed (1 time). Was able to safely maneuver to shoulder of road. Car restarted. 3. Replaced part after inspection and determined abnormal wear on switch contacts. Also plastic body of switch melted in one area. Old part is available. Part number 35130-s30-305 note: this was a part previously replaced under the "prelude ignition switch" recall issued in summer 2002.
Ignition switch will not allow car to start on some occasions, sometimes car will suddenly want to stall, only to be stopped by engaging the clutch to prevent it. The stall has occurred twice now. Honda had issues with the ignition switch in the 1997-99 preludes, but only 3/10ths actually experienced problems.
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Questions about the 1998 Honda Prelude
Is the 1998 Honda Prelude reliable?
Owners have filed 69 complaints about the 1998 Honda Prelude, 3.3 times a typical Prelude model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Honda Prelude?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 31 complaints, typically around 85,170 miles. Next is electrical (12).
How many recalls does the 1998 Honda Prelude have?
3 recalls, covering electrical system and suspension.
What year does the Honda Prelude have bad transmission?
The Honda Prelude model years with the most transmission complaints are 1997 (40 complaints), 1998 (31 complaints) and 2001 (11 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Honda Prelude get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Honda Prelude range from 21 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-20 city and 24-25 highway.
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