1998 Honda Prelude
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Honda Prelude is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 27 on record.
1998 Honda Prelude at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1998 Honda Prelude recalls 5
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1998 Honda Prelude common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 70 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1998 Honda Prelude MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1998 Honda Prelude costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1998 Honda Prelude — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. 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 2005An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 72
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 72.
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 2019CONCERNS 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 2007DTC (DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE) P1279, PGM TESTER SOFTWARE ERROR. *SC
Bulletin 804 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2004A 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 2004CONCERNS WITH WARPED OR DEFORMED WINDSHIELD MOLDING. *TT UPDATE. *TT
Bulletin 00064 · Visibility · Aug 2004TYPE 1 IMMOBI BRAKE CODES AVAILABLE ON THE INTERACTIVE NETWORK (HONDA). *NM
Bulletin 05012004 · May 2004HONDA DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM LOCKED, NEEDS IMMOBILIZER RELEASE PASSWORD. *NM
Bulletin 204 · Feb 2004HEATER BLOWER MOTOR GETS HOT OR BLOWS A FUSE. HONDA. SERVICENEWS. *TT
Bulletin 11012003 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2003AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0740, P0741 REPAIR TIPS. ANOTHER LOOK. HONDA SERVICENEWS. *TT
Bulletin 11012003 · Electrical System · Nov 2003BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR COMES ON AND GOES OFF. *TT
Bulletin 03078 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2003Source: 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 1998 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 2005Electrical
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 2002Suspension
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 1999Source: 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.
1998 Honda Prelude trims & engines on record
1998 Honda Prelude vehicles on record
1998 Honda Prelude BaseJHMBB6242WC006877
1998 Honda Prelude BaseJHMBB6146WC015597
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB91400C005949
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB9140WC201397
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB91400C005647
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB8150WC000074
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB91400C000709
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB52400C000664
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB92400C007154
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB9140WC200410
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB62400C001815
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB92400C004784
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB6150WC200120
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB8150WC200542
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB92400C004148
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB8250WC200510
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB9240WC000157
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB82500C000435
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB91400C007554
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB82500C002870
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB8250WC200977
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB91400C007786
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB92400C008402
1998 Honda PreludeJHMBB91400C004741