1998 Honda Prelude
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 31 of 69 complaints (45%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–3,700 | 3,500–3,700 | 3,700 | 3,500–3,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–23 | 21–22 | 21 | 21–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–21 / 24–26 | 19–20 / 24–25 | 19–20 / 24 | 19–20 / 24–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–423 | 404–423 | 423 | 404–423 | |
| Complaints filed | 4 | 69 | 31 | 13 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 5 | 2 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 8 | 1 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Honda Prelude have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Honda Prelude?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 31 of 69 NHTSA complaints (45%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Honda Prelude get?
EPA rates it 21–22 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Honda Prelude?
EPA estimates $3,500–$3,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (low) | $3,700 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (high) | $3,500 (low) | 404 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 31 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 12 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E060000 · Jun 29, 2006
Defect: 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."
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
Remedy: 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 · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006
Defect: 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: 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 · Campaign 05V025000 · Jan 31, 2005
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · Campaign 02V120000 · May 20, 2002
Defect: 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.
Consequence: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT · Campaign 99V069000 · May 10, 1999
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.