2001 Honda Prelude Problems
- Complaints
- 21filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 85,480miles, 12 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Honda Prelude (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2001 Honda Prelude. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 11 complaints (52% of the total), followed by brakes (4) and electrical system (4). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 42% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 85,480 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 9 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes4 19%
- Electrical system4 19%
- Air bags1 4.8%
- Engine cooling1 4.8%
- Equipment1 4.8%
- Exterior lighting1 4.8%
- Steering1 4.8%
- Body and structure1 4.8%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Takata recall any time I put my car in d4 (automatic) it gets to about 2500 RPM to 3000 RPM in 1st then I have to message the throttle so it will shift and once it shifts to 2nd it starts shifting very quickly no matter the rpms to 3rd then 4th. Also when it's shifting it jerks pretty violently.”
NHTSA complaint #11185471, filed 2019-03, 142,000 milesBrakes: “Brakes are sticking and causing the car to vibrate and emit a low humming noise. When I put my foot under the brake pedal and pulled it up the noise went away. Honda dealerships had'cut the rotors three times, which was not in any way normal! They told me they could not duplicate the problem so refused to fix it, but didn't the need to cut the rotors three times indicate a serious problem?”
NHTSA complaint #10191228, filed 2007-05Electrical system: “On two separate occasions when applying the brakes when coming to a stop the engine cuts off, without warning, no jerking, nothing. The dash had three lights lit as when you turn the ignition on before you start the car. The car can be restarted immediately after engine dies. Taking it to Honda on 8/7/07.”
NHTSA complaint #10198325, filed 2007-08, 101,960 milesAir bags: “The contact owns a 2001 Honda Prelude. While driving approximately 15 MPH a vehicle crashed into the front end passenger side of the contacts vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the body damage was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10399784, filed 2011-05, 130,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
42% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 44,527 and 110,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2001 Honda Prelude version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelude FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,750 |
| Prelude FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 05V025000Jan 28, 2005Electrical system › Ignition › SwitchCovers: Honda Prelude 1997–2001, Accord 1999–2002, Acura TL 1999–2000
On certain passenger vehicles, the interlock operation of the ignition switch may not function properly, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to park.
Recall details for the 2001 Honda Prelude → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE05002Ignition-park interlockClosed · Jan 13, 2005
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 9 on record; the latest 9 are shown.
- 10186009Jan 23, 2021Equipment. "Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant Gas Leak Detector -Ultrasonic Leak Detector -Leak Dye"
- 10165333Jul 11, 2019Suspension. This 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. The outer diameter…
- 10128531Aug 6, 2014Air bags. Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry…
- 10128559Jul 23, 2014Air bags. Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, American Honda announced three recalls for various 2001-11 Honda models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins…
- 10025523May 31, 2008Equipment. Load carrying capacity reduced label for all honda vehicles.
- 10012643Oct 1, 2004Transmission and drivetrain. Warranty extension: accord, odyssey, and prelude automatic transmission. Update.
- 10014050Aug 16, 2004Engine cooling. Dtc (diagnostic trouble code) p1279, pgm tester software error.
- 10013967May 1, 2004Other or unknown. Type 1 immobi brake codes available on the interactive network (honda).
- 10014220Feb 16, 2004Other or unknown. Honda diagnostic system locked, needs immobilizer release password.
Other model years of the Honda Prelude
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 21 | 85,480 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 13 | 73,571 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 31 | 67,064 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 69 | 93,790 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1997 | 66 | 93,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 6 | 87,500 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 9 | 128,000 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 11 | 124,000 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 22 | 173,375 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 15 | 129,000 | 1 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 21 | — | 1 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 35 | 192,638 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 14 | 133,133 | 2 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 12 | — | 2 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 7 | — | 1 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
All Honda Prelude model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Honda Prelude have?
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2001 Honda Prelude as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2001 Honda Prelude is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 11 complaints (52% of the total), followed by brakes with 4.
Has the 2001 Honda Prelude been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Honda Prelude get?
The EPA rates the 2001 Honda Prelude (Prelude, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Honda Prelude reported?
Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 85,480 miles and the middle half falls between 44,527 and 110,000 miles; 42% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.