1998 Honda Prelude Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 17%of 69 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 150,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Honda Prelude, 17% of the 69 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 150,000 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.
“My 1998 v-tec Honda Prelude recently hit 157000 miles and shortly after has been experiencing loss of power, stalling, and loss of steering. Within 5 weeks I have experienced it stall and instantly restart while going through an intersection, lose all power and steering while turning through an intersection, and lose power and steering while going 55 MPH down the highway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11005225, filed 2017-07, 157,000 miles“While driving or at stop light, car stalls without warning. Must have a jump to restart and can only drive 5-10 miles before car stalls saying battery not charging. Battery and alternator both test as good. Car may start and run normally for several days then problem reappears.”
NHTSA complaint #11217414, filed 2019-06, 150,000 miles“Ignition switch will not allow car to start on some occasions, sometimes car will suddenly want to stall, only to be stopped by engaging the clutch to prevent it. The stall has occurred twice now. Honda had issues with the ignition switch in the 1997-99 preludes, but only 3/10ths actually experienced problems.”
NHTSA complaint #10319377, filed 2010-03, 150,000 miles“1. Driving under normal conditions. 2. Car stalled at stop light (3 times). Was able to restart car without disrupting traffic. Car stalled at freeway speed (1 time). Was able to safely maneuver to shoulder of road. Car restarted. 3. Replaced part after inspection and determined abnormal wear on switch contacts. Also plastic body of switch melted in one area. Old part is available. Part number 35130-s30-305 note: this was a part previously replaced under the Prelude ignition switch recall issued in summer 2002.”
NHTSA complaint #10356550, filed 2010-09, 89,000 miles“This is the first time I had to replace the transmission at 65867 miles on it, Well I was driving down to the street one day and then it's started to Slip In. and out of a gear And the next day I tried to pull out Of. my driveway The transmission is bad and Honda knows this, the second time it is now 186573 miles on the second transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11528431, filed 2023-06Related 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 1998 Honda Prelude
31 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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