1999 Honda Prelude Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 23%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,061miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1999 Honda Prelude, 23% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,061 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.
“The timing belt and tensioner catastrophically failed while I was driving in traffic causing a sudden, dangerous lose of power. This car is a 1999 Honda Prelude with 65,000 miles on it. Honda claims that these parts are to be first replaced at 105,000. This car was always maintained by Honda and failed 3 days after their state inspection. These parts were replaced at great expense and inconvenience to me.”
NHTSA complaint #10105658, filed 2005-01, 65,141 miles“The consumer's vehicle experienced engine failure which was caused by a broken cam seal which allowed oil to leak from the engine. Nm the oil pressure indicator light came on. The consumer pulled off the exit and the vehicle lost power. The dealer performed a scheduled maintenance check up and oil change on the vehicle 10 weeks prior to the incident. The consumer feels that the leaking cam seal went undiscovered or unmentioned. The dealer refused to replace the engine because the consumer drove a half of a mile with the engine light on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10110870, filed 2004-12, 67,067 miles“Repeated (2 times) safetly related engine malfunction causing loss of control and power of the vehicle. On november 4, 2004 owner of 1999 Honda Prelude was driving home from work at night time when shortly afterwards owner's vehicle lost power and control for the second time on a major highway. The engine's cam seal broke off leaking the engine oil out onto the highway of rt. 80 and the engine seized. Owner's vehicle has proven repeatedly to have serious engine defects that posed a risk to the owner as well as other drivers on the road. …”
NHTSA complaint #10100766, filed 2004-11, 103,000 miles“The contact stated the vehicle was consuming oil every three to four months, when it should normally last for one year. The vehicle has been taken to a service dealer several times. The dealer expressed that this would normally occur if the vehicle had a front-end collision. This vehicle has never been in a collision; subsequently, the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10159115, filed 2006-06, 66,400 miles“1999 Honda Prelude. Consumer states engine failure while driving the consumer referenced the ignition switch recall and is requesting $2,350.19 for repairs. The consumer stated he received a small refund from Honda. Updated 09/29/11”
NHTSA complaint #10405090, filed 2011-06Related 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 1999 Honda Prelude
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsTires
5 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Honda Prelude
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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