Model year guide

1997 Honda Prelude

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Honda Prelude is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 42 on record.

1997 Honda Prelude — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1997 Honda Prelude at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints74

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1997 Honda Prelude recalls 5

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E060000 · 29/06/2006

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Fix: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Electrical System:ignition:switch NHTSA Campaign #05V025000 · manufacturer #P68, P69 · 28/01/2005

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT CONFIRMS INTERLOCK FUNCTION. VEHICLES WILL BE UPDATED WITH A REDESIGNED INTERLOCK LEVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Electrical System:ignition:switch NHTSA Campaign #02V120000 · 16/05/2002

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint NHTSA Campaign #99V069000 · 10/05/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1997 Honda Prelude common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.

Dimensions & weight

Length
178.0 in
Width
68.5 in
Height
52.0 in
Wheelbase
101.6 in
Curb weight
2,954 lb
Front track
59.8 in
Rear track
59.4 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1997 Honda Prelude. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK Closed

THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT COUNTS ARE FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999 - 2001 HONDA ACCORD MODELS THAT WERE NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF A RELATED HONDA RECALL ACTION (NHTSA 03V423); THESE VEHICLES WERE INVESTIGATED BY ODI UNDER DEFECT PETITION (DP) 04-006. COMPLAINT INFORMATION FOR OTHER MODELS AND MODEL YEARS WAS NOT OBTAINED BY ODI. THE NOTED POPULATION INDICATES THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES (INCLUDING THE MY 2002 ACCORD PLUS THE PREL…

NHTSA #PE05002 · Electrical System · opened Jan 2005 · closed Feb 2005

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 81

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 81.

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 being too small would prevent the part from being installed, a…

Bulletin DORE5C4S09 · Suspension · Jul 2019

CONCERNS WITH ENGINE HESITATION OR STUMBLE CAN BE FELT UNDER LIGHT ACCELERATION BETWEEN 1,500 AND 2,000 RPM. *YC UPDATED 10/09/07. *NJ

Bulletin 98074 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2007

DTC (DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE) P1279, PGM TESTER SOFTWARE ERROR. *SC

Bulletin 804 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2004

A CONDITION EXIST WHERE THE UPPER WINDSHIELD MOLDING IS WARPED OR DEFORMED. *TT THIS BULLETIN 00-064 REPLACED BULLETIN 98-066 DATED MARCH 28, 2000. *TT

Bulletin 98066 · Visibility · Aug 2004

TYPE 1 IMMOBI BRAKE CODES AVAILABLE ON THE INTERACTIVE NETWORK (HONDA). *NM

Bulletin 05012004 · May 2004

SRS INDICATOR ON AFTER BODY SHOP REPAIR. CHECK FOR SRS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. HONDA SERVICENEWS. APRIL 2004. *TT

Bulletin 04012004 · Air Bags · Apr 2004

HONDA DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM LOCKED, NEEDS IMMOBILIZER RELEASE PASSWORD. *NM

Bulletin 204 · Feb 2004

HEATER BLOWER MOTOR GETS HOT OR BLOWS A FUSE. HONDA. SERVICENEWS. *TT

Bulletin 11012003 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2003

BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR COMES ON AND GOES OFF. *TT

Bulletin 03078 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2003

HEATER BLOWER MOTOR OVERHEATS OR BLOWS FUSE. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING THE 2004 INSIGHT AND S2000. *TT

Bulletin 1003 · Equipment · Oct 2003

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the PRELUDE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 3

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1997 Honda Prelude. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Other

On certain 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. If the driver does not shift to PARK before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur. Correction:…

Transport Canada #2005037 · Feb 2005

Electrical

On certain vehicles electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started. Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

Transport Canada #2002096 · May 2002

Suspension

On certain vehicles, the front suspension lower ball joints may prematurely wear out due to improper finishing of the surface of the spherical portion of the ball joints between the front lower arm and knuckle. Although a loosening ball joint will emit some noise, in the worst case the ball joint may separate without prior warning. A separated ball joint can result in an appare…

Transport Canada #1999101 · May 1999

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Honda Prelude

The Honda Prelude is a sport compact car produced by the Japanese company Honda. It was produced over five generations from 1978 to 2001, and reintroduced in 2025.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1997 Honda Prelude trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · Type SH · LX w/ABS
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl 195 hp

1997 Honda Prelude vehicles on record

Other Honda Prelude model years

1997 Honda Prelude — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Honda Prelude have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1997 Honda Prelude. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Honda Prelude?

Across all 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, electrical system, suspension.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.