1997 Honda Prelude Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 11%of 66 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the suspension of the 1997 Honda Prelude, 11% of the 66 complaints for this model year. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is 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.
“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“Getting a bump noise when front suspension is loaded espescially in cold weather. After several trips to dealer and one attempted repair the dealer claims that this may be a characteristic of the car and will not attempt another repair under warrantee.”
NHTSA complaint #719548, filed 2000-03“Lower ball joints were replaced, prior to recall notice (99v069000). However after recall repairs were done dearlership did not tighten the caliper knuckle mounting bracket bolt properly, causing one to fall off and another loose.”
NHTSA complaint #546549, filed 1999-07“While driving 70mph vehicle started swaying from side to side, and then spun around. This was due to a faulty ball joint. Dealer has seen vehicle 9 times,and no solution to the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #857396, filed 2000-02“The left front suspension has a loud and distinct crack upon take off and stopping of the vehicle. This problem occurs mainly in cold weather. As well as the sound, the driver can feel the noise in the floorboard of the driver side front. The manufacturer states that this is a charactaristic of the vehicle and that nothing can be done about it. The manufacturer can provide no facts to base this decision on nor did the manufacturer's representative even look at the mechanics of the problem vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #701987, filed 1999-01Related recalls
- 99V069000May 10, 1999Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain vehicles were manufactured with ball joints that can prematurely wear out and, in the worse case, the ball…Covers: Honda Prelude 1996–1998, Acura RL 1996–1998, TL 1996–1998 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 10165333Jul 11, 2019This 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…
Suspension: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Honda Prelude
40 complaintsElectrical system
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 30, 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