53 of the 463 complaints filed about the Honda Prelude are about the engine — 11% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1989.
53
Complaints
11%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
8
Fires
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11217414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1999 HONDA PRELUDE. CONSUMER STATES ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING *TGW THE CONSUMER REFERENCED THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL AND IS REQUESTING $2,350.19 FOR REPAIRS. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A SMALL REFUND FROM HONDA. UPDATED 09/29/11
NHTSA complaint #10405090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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?
NHTSA complaint #10232064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10175919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING OIL EVERY THREE TO FOUR MONTHS, WHEN IT SHOULD NORMALLY LAST FOR ONE YEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER EXPRESSED THAT THIS WOULD NORMALLY OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE HAD A FRONT-END COLLISION. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A COLLISION; SUBSEQUENTLY, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10159115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER HAS HAD RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH OIL LEAKING EACH TIME THEY HAVE REPAIRED DIFFERENT PARTS ON THE VEHICLE AND IT STILL PERSIST. *TS THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOUR TIMES FROM MAY 2003- OCTOBER 2003 FOR OIL LEAKAGE. THEY CHANGED THE OIL AND FILTER AND ON THE LAST DATE CLAIMED THAT THE SEALS WERE PROBABLY LEAKING. AFTER EACH OCCASION THE CONSUMER WAS ASSURED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. ON DECEMBER 20, 2004 THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD CRACKING SOUND WHILE DRIVING. SHE PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION WHO POPPED THE HOOD AND NOTICED OIL LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LACK OF OIL. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10139911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILING, BELT FLAPPING BETWEEN 1800 AND 3000 RPMS UPON ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10139190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE BEEN HAVING MORE PROBLEMS WITH MY ENGINE STALLING SUDDENLY. THE PAST FEW TIMES, I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY IN BUSY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE HEATER, RADIO, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK BUT THE TACHOMETER WOULD JUST DROP TO ZERO. TWICE, I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, TURN THE CAR BACK ON, AND PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE, ALL WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10128889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
DT: CONSUMER WAS IN VEHICLE WITH VEHICLE RUNNING. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING. CONSUMER LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE TIMING BELT AUTO TENSIONER FAILED. CONSUMER HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT RECOGNIZES THIS PROBLEM. SERVICE BULLETIN #01-010. CONSUMER FOUND THAT WHEN HIS TENSIONER FAILED AND LET VEHICLE JUMP TIME IT ALSO ALLOWED VALVES IN HEAD TO BECOME DAMAGED BY THE PISTON. CONSUMER SAYS THAT THIS HAPPENED WHEN VEHICLE HAD 79,000 MILES. CONSUMER SAYS THAT OWNER'S MANUAL SAYS THAT TIMING BELT SHOULD BE CHECKED AT 105,000 MILES. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT TIMING BELT WAS NOT BADLY WORN WHEN TENSIONER FAILED. CONSUMER HAD PROBLEM REPAIRED AT AUTO REPAIR SHOP OTHER THAN THE DEALER, COST WAS $2300. VEHICLE FAILED IN CONSUMERS DRIVEWAY. TOLEDO, OHIO. CONSUMER SAYS THAT THE TENSIONER IS AN AUTO TENSIONER AND IF IT IS IMPROPERLY TIGHTENTED THEN IT IS NOT THE CONSUMERS FAULT.
NHTSA complaint #10128304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE 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. THE TIMING BELT BROKE ON ANOTHER OCCASION CAUSING SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE AND LOSS OF POWER. *TC THE CONSUMER STATED THE CD PLAYER SHUT OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10110870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
REPEATED (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 MOTION AND THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE OTHER NUMEROUS ISSUES AS WELL INCLUDING: THE HEATING SYSTEM, VIBRATION, NOISE, THE CD PLAYER WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS OPENED OR WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ON, THE WIPER WASHER FLUID WOULD FREEZE AND MINOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10109458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THE TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC CAUSING A SUDDEN, DANGEROUS LOSE OF POWER. THIS CAR IS A 1999 HONDA PRELUDE WITH 65,000 MILES ON IT. HONDA CLAIMS THAT THESE PARTS ARE TO BE FIRST REPLACED AT 105,000. THIS CAR WAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED BY HONDA AND FAILED 3 DAYS AFTER THEIR STATE INSPECTION. THESE PARTS WERE REPLACED AT GREAT EXPENSE AND INCONVENIENCE TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #10105658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
REPEATED (2 TIMES) SAFETLY RELATED ENGINE MALFUNCTION CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND POWER OF THE VEHICLE. ON NOVEMBER 4, 2004 OWNER OF 1999 HONDA PRELUDE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT NIGHT TIME WHEN SHORTLY AFTERWARDS OWNER'S VEHICLE LOST POWER AND CONTROL FOR THE SECOND TIME ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE'S CAM SEAL BROKE OFF LEAKING THE ENGINE OIL OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY OF RT. 80 AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. OWNER'S VEHICLE HAS PROVEN REPEATEDLY TO HAVE SERIOUS ENGINE DEFECTS THAT POSED A RISK TO THE OWNER AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. IN OCTOBER 2002, THE FIRST ENGINE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WHEN THE TIMING BELT BROKE DUE TO A DEFECT WHILE OWNER WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND CONTROL. THE OWNER, A CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT AND OTHER DRIVERS WERE PLACED AT SERIOUS RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH. AS OWNER WAS COVERED UNDER HONDA CARE WHICH EXTENDS THE STANDARD NEW CAR LIMITED WARRANTY UNTIL 100,000 REPAIRS WERE COVERED. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MALFUNCTION OF THE ENGINE PARTS WAS NOT DUE IN ANY PART TO OWNER'S NEGLECT OR FAULT AS OWNER. OWNER HAS FOLLOWED EVERY MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE RECOMMENED. OWNER HAS RECORDS TO INDICATE THIS. ALL OF THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED ONLY AT SUSSEX HONDA, IN NEWTON, N.J. THIS OWNER REQUESTED THAT MANUFACTURER REPAIR/REPLACE THE ENGINE AT NO COST TO THE OWNER DUE TO SERIOUS SAFETY RELATED DEFECT IN THE ENGINE. AMERICAN HONDA IHAS DECLINED THE OWNER'S REQUEST TO REPAIR THE SAID VEHICLE AT NO COST TO OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #10100766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR A HONDA RECALL 11108, RECALL REPAIRS FAILED, IT WAS LEAKING OIL. DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER, SORRY WARRANTY EXPIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10089120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED AS RECOMMENDED AT 90,000. THE REPLACEMENT BELT BROKE AFTER ONLY 30,000 AND CONSEQUENTLY CAUSED DAMAGE TO VALVES AND PISTONS.
NHTSA complaint #10069160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PROBLEMS 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
NHTSA complaint #10034521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM FAILURE: EIGHT (8) DEALER ATTEMPTED REPAIRS; FOUR (4) NEW COMPRESSORS AND COMPLETE SYSTEMS INSTALLED; THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS SPENT (APPROX. $6,000.00); AND A/C REMAINS DEAD.*AK VEHICLE IS 1991 HONDA PRELUDE SI, VIN [XXX], PURCHASED NEW 7/22/91 FROM WOODLAND HILLS HONDA, 6111 TOPANGA CANYON BOULEVARD, WOODLAND HILLS, CA., 91365. A/C PROBLEM BEGAN MAY, 1996 AT 68,000 MILES, AND LAST ATTEMPTED REPAIR ENDED OCTOBER, 2001 AT 142,000 MILES. WE HAVE FOUR (4) HONDA ACCORDS (1991 AND 93 MODELS), ALL OVER 160,000 MILES, WITH NO A/C PROBLEMS. THE BAD A/C SEEMS LIMITED TO PRELUDE ONLY. IT IS VERY HOT IN SAN FERNANDO VALLEY OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA FOR 6 MONTHS OF THE YEAR. ON OCTOBER 10, 2001, WOODLAND HILLS HONDA RECOMMENDED ANOTHER COMPLETE A/C COMPRESSOR AND SYSTEM REPLACEMENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER THERE, [XXX] (NOW GONE), STATED THERE WAS A " COMPLETE SYSTEM PROBLEM" AND ASKED HONDA REGIONAL HQ FOR HONDA AUTHORIZATION TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE A/C SYSTEM WITHOUT CHARGE, OR TO SHARE THE COSTS. ASSISTANCE DENIED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PRODUCT-LIABILITY MANUFACTURING FAILURE SPECIFIC TO THE PRELUDE A/C SYSTEM AND THE COMPRESSOR IN PARTICULAR. WE SEE MANY PRELUDE DRIVERS WITH WINDOWS OPEN. WE DO NOT WANT TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS MORE FOR WHAT WE THINK HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX. DOES HONDA KNOW IT HAS BAD A/C COMPRESSORS IN PRELUDES AND IS IGNORING OR EVADING THE PROBLEM? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10037160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE HESITATION OFF-IDLE WHEN ENGINE IS WARMED, ESPECIALLY IN HOT WEATHER. SLOW, WEAK, NOISY IDLE WITH A/C RUNNING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10031193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CHECK 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
NHTSA complaint #10014372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL HEAVILY JERK AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8019541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.