2001 Honda Prelude
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Honda › Prelude › 2001
These records cover every 2001 Honda Prelude. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 2001 Honda Prelude. Newest first.
Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk and remedy
Risk
Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and may possibly result in a vehicle crash
Remedy
Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. the recall began on august 1, 2006. owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. the recall began on april 3, 2006. owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.
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 and remedy
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.
Owner complaints
21 complaints3 involved a crash2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Power train
Takata recall any time I put my car in D4 (automatic) it gets to about 2500 rpm to 3000 rpm in 1ST then I have to message the throttle so it will shift and once it shifts to 2ND it starts shifting very quickly no matter the rpms to 3RD then 4TH. Also when it's shifting it jerks pretty violently.
- Electrical system · Exterior lighting
While driving the car just turns off then wont start for awhile when starts back up shuts off while driving down the road we know there IS a recall on the ignition switch and interior lights on this vehicle we have three kids that ride in this car and don't want something to happen while we are driving the car and it shuts off nd wont start while we are in traffic. Please help. *Tr
- Air bags
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 honda prelude. While driving approximately 15 mph a vehicle crashed into the front end passenger side of the contacts vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the body damage was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Just like many other 97-01 honda preludes my car has begin to have problems shifting. If I do not allow my car to warm up it will rev really high and jerk into gear. The first time it happened I pulled out of my driveway and it revved really high. Had the driver behind me not swerved over they would have rear ended me. *Tr
- Electrical system › Ignition
TL* the contact owns a 2001 honda prelude. The contact stated that while parked, she was able to remove the key from the ignition with the vehicle in neutral. The failure recurred intermittently for approximately one year. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for the failure and was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000 and the current mileage was 123,000.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
When starting my 2001 honda prelude, putting into D4 (auto transmission) and beginning to drive, it would hit 3 rpm and not automatically shift. after hitting 3 rpm, it would rev up to 5 rpm before jerking into gear. this happens each time I first drive my car after it had been sitting, unless…
When starting my 2001 honda prelude, putting into D4 (auto transmission) and beginning to drive, it would hit 3 rpm and not automatically shift. after hitting 3 rpm, it would rev up to 5 rpm before jerking into gear. this happens each time I first drive my car after it had been sitting, unless allowing it 10-15 minutes to completely warm up. if 2ND gear did happen to engage, it would have to rev and jerk into 3RD gear. I have taken it a few times to the auto shop although the transmission fluid levels remained fine and no other indication of a blown transmission was found. *Tr
- Power train › Manual transmission
2001 honda prelude sh, had a previous manual transmission overhaul after driving it for 3 days the manual transmission gave out on the vehicle 3 days later, making loud annoying noises. *Tr
- Electrical system
On 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
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Brakes are sticking and causing the car to vibrate and emit a low humming noise. when I put my foot under the brake pedal and pulled it up the noise went away. honda dealerships had'cut the rotors three times, which was not in any way normal! they told me they could not duplicate the problem so refused to fix it, but didn't the need to cut the rotors three times indicate a serious problem?*ak
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Tl*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
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
While driving down the freeway last year, I heard a screeching noise under the hood of my 2001 honda prelude. about approximately 10 seconds later I heard something fall onto the street and very hot air began blowing out my air conditioner (which up until that point was blowing very cold air). it…
While driving down the freeway last year, I heard a screeching noise under the hood of my 2001 honda prelude. about approximately 10 seconds later I heard something fall onto the street and very hot air began blowing out my air conditioner (which up until that point was blowing very cold air). it turns out that the air conditioner clutch pulley fell off my car and I have been told that this IS a manufacturer defect by honda. they seem not to care and thus refuse to fix it. I reside in arizona where temperatures reach 110 plus in the summer. I have reported this problem to north american honda in the hopes that some resolution could be resolved, but nothing has been done to correct. air condition pulleys do not just fall off a vehicle! *nm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Timing belt tensioner failing, belt flapping between 1800 and 3000 rpms upon acceleration and deceleration. *jb
- Power train › Manual transmission
My 5-speed tranmission, IS always grinding, and this leads to transmission failure. I have lost the reverse gear 2 times now, and the transmission always grinds on upshift into 5TH gear. there IS a service bulletin on this problem, however honda will not remedy the problem. many honda…
My 5-speed tranmission, IS always grinding, and this leads to transmission failure. I have lost the reverse gear 2 times now, and the transmission always grinds on upshift into 5TH gear. there IS a service bulletin on this problem, however honda will not remedy the problem. many honda technicians have told me that these transmissions need to be recalled as this IS such a big problem. the problems with this transmission has cost me substantial downtime, and money.*ak
- Power train › Manual transmission
Transmission broke. Something flew out of transmission, and shot out below cause: clutch and flywheel came apart. This was all stock, if it had shot up I might have been injured. *Ak
- Power train › Clutch assembly
Car did not go into any of the gears freely. the culprit was a poorly designed clutch disc. the springs on the disc popped out of the disc resulting in clutch failure. *la
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Torque converter · Steering › Linkages · Structure › Frame and members
My honda prelude 2001 vibrates severely after driving 2 hours at a steady speed. Have brought it back for service 4 times; no problems found. This IS an extremely dangerous fault; I am planning to sell it but don't want to endanger someone else.can't understand why no other prelude owners have reported similar malfunctions.
- Power train › Clutch assembly
Spring cages on stock clutch failed, causing clutch to fail to disengage reliably. This prevented shifting out of, and into gear. There was no prior indication of oncoming failure. The other 3 of 4 spring perches around the clutch hub showed signs of eminenent failure as well.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
At 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.
- Power train › Manual transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
Brake system IS malfunctioning and engaging involuntarily. front end vibrates. also, left wheel gets hot and locks up. vehicle has a manual transmission and should roll back when the foot IS taken off of brake pedal on an incline. instead, the vehicle does not move. dealer was notified and…
Brake system IS malfunctioning and engaging involuntarily. front end vibrates. also, left wheel gets hot and locks up. vehicle has a manual transmission and should roll back when the foot IS taken off of brake pedal on an incline. instead, the vehicle does not move. dealer was notified and could not duplicate problem. *ak the vehicle would vibrate to the point where the consumer would have to pull off of the road, for a third time the vehicle would not duplicate the problem. the left front brake caliper and hose have been replaced. consumer does not know if the problem has been corrected. *scc
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
The ABS control unit first failed at 12692 miles last april. the dealer stated that this was an intermittent failure and reset the codes. I was told that if the unit failed again it would be replaced. it failed last friday. the dealer does not stck the control unit and it takes 3-5 working days to order the part. the control unit IS now giving intermittent failure signals as the car IS driven. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Was going 15 mph. Car in front slamed on brakes, we slammed on brakes, the brakes went all the way to the floor,and the car didn't stop. Ran into the truck in front of us and smashed the right corner panel.*ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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…
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.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10186009"Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector -Ultrasonic Leak Detector -Leak Dye"
- 10165333This 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.
- 10128559Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins 14-040, Safety Recall: Accord, Civic, and Others ? Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator Can Be Over-Pressurized, 14-045, Recall: Front Driver?s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity Recall, and 14-046, Recall: Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity have been posted to ISIS. However, due to the large number of affected units, American Honda is still in the process of populating the VIN status inquiry function on iN, which is expected to take several days. When this process is complete, American Honda will notify all dealers again via iN message. Until that time, the existing acknowledgement procedure must be used for all potentially affected vehicles.
- 10128531Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry has been updated.
- 10025523Load carrying capacity reduced label for all honda vehicles.
- 10014220Honda diagnostic system locked, needs immobilizer release password.
- 10014050Dtc (diagnostic trouble code) p1279, pgm tester software error.
- 10013967Type 1 immobi brake codes available on the interactive network (honda).
- 10012643Warranty extension: accord, odyssey, and prelude automatic transmission. Update.
- 10009278Heater blower motor gets hot or blows a fuse. Honda. Servicenews.
- 10009018Srs indicator on after body shop repair. Check for srs diagnostic trouble codes. Honda servicenews. April 2004.
- 10005933Keyless, ceiling light, ignition key beeper logic. Honda october tech line information. 2002 prelude also included.
- 10005930Air conditioning (a/c) compressor control logic. Honda october tech line information. 2002 prelude also included.
- 10005929Clearing anti-lock brake system (ABS) diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs). Honda october tech line information.
- 10005927Grunt noise when accelerating after sitting. Honda october tech line information. 2002 prelude also included.
- 10005881Keyless entry, ceiling light, ignition key beeper logic. Honda servicenews.
- 10005876Air conditioning (a/c) compressor out? Check blower motor operation. Honda servicenews.
- 10005871Anti-lock brake system (ABS) grunts when doing a self-check.
- 10005022Warranty extension transmission diagnosis. Tech line summary.
- 10004972Service bulletin 02-062 covers only automatic transmission and torque converter. Honda servicenews.
- 10004956Heater blower motor overheats or blows fuse. Various models including the 2004 insight and s2000.
- 10004798Brake system indicator comes on and goes off.
- 10004647Warranty extension automatic transmission.
- 10003055Warranty extension automatic transmission.
- 10003052Concerns with warped or deformed windshield molding. Update.
- 10002701Vehicle's emission type.
- 10002699Grade logic control information.
- 10002575Straining the automatic transmission fluid (atf) to diagnose automatic transmissions.
- 10001832Troubleshooting intermittent anti-lock brake (ABS) or traction control system (tcs) diagnostic trouble codes.
- 10001811Srs indicator on with no srs diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) set.
- 10001790Check (atf) automatic transmission fluid condition to diagnose (a/t) automatic transmissions.
- 10001226Warranty extension on automatic transmissions.
- 636755Subject regarding automatic transmission shift problems - slippage, flare, hard upshift.
- 636753Information on testing for interal leaks with diagnostic trouble code p1456 or p1457.
- 636738Subject regarding customer complaints that the engine hesitates briefly when accelerating.
- 633590Service information regarding immobilizer system (type 1).
- 631027Customers may complain of a brief hesitation when accelerating at high engine speeds.
- 630994Information on troubleshooting multiple misire diagnostic trouble codes p0301, p0306).
- 629541Customers may complain of a twang noise from the front suspension that sounds like a spring contact. *Slc
- 629305Information on power door locks that may lock by themselves or may cycle twice to unlock and then lock themselves.
Every Honda Prelude model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.