1998 Honda Prelude Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 6%of 69 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Honda Prelude, 6% of the 69 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,500 miles.
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.
“I have been having more problems with my engine stalling suddenly. The past few times, I was on the highway in busy rush hour traffic. The heater, radio, and other electrical components would continue to work but the tachometer would just drop to zero. Twice, I had to put the car in neutral, turn the car back on, and put it back in drive, all while on the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #10128889, filed 2005-07, 80,000 miles“Dt: consumer was in vehicle with vehicle running. The vehicle shut off with no warning. Consumer later found out that the timing belt auto tensioner failed. Consumer has a service bulletin that recognizes this problem. Service bulletin #01-010. Consumer found that when his tensioner failed and let vehicle jump time it also allowed valves in head to become damaged by the piston. Consumer says that this happened when vehicle had 79,000 miles. Consumer says that owner's manual says that timing belt should be checked at 105,000 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10128304, filed 2005-07, 79,000 milesRelated 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 1998 Honda Prelude
31 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsAir bags
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