Model year record

1999 Honda Prelude

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 40 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V025000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Vehicles affected
486,659
Reported to NHTSA
2005-01-28
Owners notified
2005-03-07

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V120000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
1,000,000
Reported to NHTSA
2002-05-16
Owners notified
2002-06-14

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system367,061 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch382,553 mi
Engine and engine cooling366,400 mi
Power train: automatic transmission328,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt3
Engine and engine cooling: engine267,067 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys265,141 mi
Equipment280,346 mi
Power train2135,765 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2
Suspension254,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1
Electrical system: ignition1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.167,067 mi
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Steering1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Structure167,061 mi
Tires1
Tires: sidewall133,800 mi
Vehicle speed control1
Visibility167,061 mi
Wheels: rim1

The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2000 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.