1997 Honda Prelude Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 11%of 66 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 138,701miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Honda Prelude, 11% of the 66 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 138,701 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“April 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 problems with the lock prior to the recall work. …”
NHTSA complaint #10276984, filed 2009-07, 120,000 miles“The car stalled without warning on highway due to ignition switch. The ignition switched was replaced in oct 2003 as part of a recall yet failed less than 3 years later. Make : Honda model : Prelude year : 1997 manufacturer : american Honda motor co. Nhtsa campaign id number : 02v120000 recall date : may 13, 2002 component: electrical system:ignition:switch”
NHTSA complaint #10155902, filed 2006-04, 72,900 miles“Dt: 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10137845, filed 2005-09, 138,701 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Honda Prelude. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 02v120000 (electrical system) but was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 186,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10534140, filed 2013-08, 186,000 miles“The contact owns a 1997 Honda Prelude. While driving approximately 20 MPH in a parking lot, the vehicle stalled. She stated she turned the vehicle off and when restarting, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The contact stated the failure had occurred at least six times, intermittently. The manufacturer advised the contact to have the dealer diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 02v120000 (electrical system: ignition: switch). The contact did not feel safe driving the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10350076, filed 2010-08, 146,565 milesRelated recalls
- 05V025000Jan 28, 2005On certain passenger vehicles, the interlock operation of the ignition switch may not function properly, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the…Covers: Honda Prelude 1997–2001, Accord 1999–2002, Acura TL 1999–2000
- 02V120000May 16, 2002On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current…Covers: Honda Prelude 1997–1999, Acura CL 1997–1999, Honda Accord 1997–1999 +5 more
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 4 | 19% |
| 2000 | 3 | 23% |
| 1999 | 7 | 23% |
| 1998 | 12 | 17% |
| 1997 | 7 | 11% |
| 1994 | 1 | 11% |
| 1993 | 2 | 18% |
| 1992 | 5 | 23% |
| 1989 | 1 | 5% |
| 1988 | 1 | 3% |
| 1987 | 1 | 7% |
| 1985 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1997 Honda Prelude
40 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Honda Prelude
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology