EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1999 Honda Prelude
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 31 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Honda Prelude, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and tires & wheels categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 65 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| May 1999 | 1 | 1 |
| Mar 2000 | 2 | 3 |
| Sep 2000 | 1 | 4 |
| Oct 2000 | 2 | 6 |
| Dec 2000 | 3 | 9 |
| May 2001 | 1 | 10 |
| Jul 2001 | 1 | 11 |
| Dec 2001 | 1 | 12 |
| Mar 2002 | 1 | 13 |
| Aug 2002 | 1 | 14 |
| Sep 2002 | 1 | 15 |
| Mar 2003 | 1 | 16 |
| Sep 2003 | 1 | 17 |
| Apr 2004 | 2 | 19 |
| Nov 2004 | 1 | 20 |
| Dec 2004 | 1 | 21 |
| Jan 2005 | 2 | 23 |
| Jun 2005 | 1 | 24 |
| Jan 2006 | 1 | 25 |
| Jun 2006 | 1 | 26 |
| Aug 2008 | 1 | 27 |
| Jun 2011 | 1 | 28 |
| Nov 2011 | 1 | 29 |
| Jul 2017 | 1 | 30 |
| Dec 2022 | 1 | 31 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical820.0%
- Engine717.5%
- Tires & wheels512.5%
- Powertrain (other)410.0%
- Transmission410.0%
- Other / unspecified37.5%
- Suspension25.0%
- Steering25.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
4 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
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 (NHTSA 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 (NHTSA 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.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 1999 Honda Prelude. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact became aware that the failure was due to the ignition switch. The contact replaced the part himself. The contact also noticed that while the vehicle was turned off, the gear shifter independently shifted into gear. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11498032
- Incident
- Dec 5, 2022
- Mileage
- 170,000 mi
STARTING IN JUNE 2017, MY 1999 HONDA PRELUDE SH HAS BEEN STALLING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY ON HOT DAYS. THE CAR CAN NOT BE RE-STARTED FOR 5-10 MINUTES AFTERWARD. THE ENGINE IS NOT OVERHEATING. MY MECHANIC RAN TESTS FOR TWO DAYS AND SAYS THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MUST BE FAULTY.
- NHTSA ID
- 11006352
- Incident
- Jul 12, 2017
- Mileage
- 135,000 mi
THE SPORTSHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION M6HA IN MY 1999 HONDA PRELUDE STARTED TO SLIP AND WHILE GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE CAR LOST ALL POWER TO THE WHEELS AND WOULD JUST REV UP THE ENGINE WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL DOWN AND WOULD NOT MOVE THE CAR WHILE IN ALL DRIVE GEARS. IT COST ME $2,396.75 TO GET MY HONDA PRELUDE'S SPORTSHIFT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION M6HA REPLACED AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHILE I WAS OUT ON A FAMILY VACATION TRIP TO ARIZONA. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10435250
- Incident
- Sep 4, 2009
- Mileage
- 135,765 mi
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*JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10405090
- Incident
- Jun 1, 2011
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
- NHTSA ID
- 10236897
- Incident
- Apr 30, 2008
- Mileage
- 54,000 mi
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 ID
- 10159115
- Incident
- May 30, 2006
- Mileage
- 66,400 mi
TOOK 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 SAID THEY WOULD DESTROY THE KEY AND THREATENED ME THAT I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO PAY $160 MORE IF THE OLD KEY NO LONGER WORKED. 2 DAYS LATER MY CAR SITS IN THE DRIVE WAY AND I CANNOT GET THE KEY OUT.*AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10148946
- Incident
- Jan 17, 2006
- Mileage
- 82,553 mi
MY SON WAS DRIVING THE 1999 HONDA PRELUDE ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNING. HE WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH OUT ANY CRASH OR INJURIES. HE WAS LUCKEY THAT THERE WERE FEW CARS ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME. HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE IDLE BOLT FOR THE TIMMING BELT BROKE AT THE ENGINE AND HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT TO BE REPLACED. OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10123724
- Incident
- Apr 4, 2005
- Mileage
- 80,346 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
SUSPENSION
This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for the outer diameter of the ball joint housing being too small. The outer diameter being too small would prevent the part from being installed, and would therefore have no impact on the end user besides time to complete installation.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONCERNS WITH ENGINE HESITATION OR STUMBLE CAN BE FELT UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION BETWEEN 1,500 AND 2,000 RPM. *YC UPDATED 10/09/07. *NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DTC (DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE) P1279, PGM TESTER SOFTWARE ERROR. *SC
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
CONCERNS WITH WARPED OR DEFORMED WINDSHIELD MOLDING. *TT UPDATE. *TT
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
A CONDITION EXIST WHERE THE UPPER WINDSHIELD MOLDING IS WARPED OR DEFORMED. *TT THIS BULLETIN 00-064 REPLACED BULLETIN 98-066 DATED MARCH 28, 2000. *TT
TYPE 1 IMMOBI BRAKE CODES AVAILABLE ON THE INTERACTIVE NETWORK (HONDA). *NM
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2005 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2004 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2003 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2002 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2001 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 56.1 |
| 2000 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 51.1 |
| 1999Viewing | 31 | 4 | 1 | 51.1 |
| 1998 | 69 | 5 | 1 | 57.9 |
| 1997 | 66 | 5 | 1 | 52.3 |
| 1996 | 4 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 6 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 9 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 56.7 |
| 1992 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 67.5 |
| 1991 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 49.9 |
| 1990 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 38.2 |
| 1988 | 35 | 6 | 0 | 57.6 |
| 1987 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 58.0 |
| 1986 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 46.0 |
| 1985 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1979 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.