1997 Honda Prelude Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 8%of 66 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,017miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Honda Prelude, 8% of the 66 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,017 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Consumer has had recurring problems with oil leaking each time they have repaired different parts on the vehicle and it still persist. 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10139911, filed 2005-10, 80,034 miles“Problems with ball joints, brakes, air conditioner, radio, windshield and seats. 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10034521, filed 2003-08“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, filed 2004-08Related service bulletins
- 10014050Aug 16, 2004Dtc (diagnostic trouble code) p1279, pgm tester software error.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 | 5% |
| 2000 | 2 | 15% |
| 1999 | 7 | 23% |
| 1998 | 4 | 6% |
| 1997 | 5 | 8% |
| 1995 | 1 | 17% |
| 1994 | 2 | 22% |
| 1993 | 2 | 18% |
| 1992 | 1 | 5% |
| 1991 | 5 | 33% |
| 1989 | 5 | 24% |
| 1988 | 3 | 9% |
| 1987 | 1 | 7% |
| 1986 | 2 | 17% |
| 1984 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 1997 Honda Prelude
40 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsSuspension
7 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