Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Honda Prelude owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This is the first time I had to replace the transmission at 65867 miles on it, Well I was driving down to the street one day and then it's started to Slip In. and out of a gear And the next day I tried to pull out Of. my driveway The transmission is bad and Honda knows this, the second time it is now 186573 miles on the second transmission.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Honda Prelude. The contact parked the vehicle in her driveway, removed the key from the ignition, and exited the vehicle. When she returned to enter the vehicle, it began to roll out of the driveway. The contact was dragged by the vehicle, but she was able to let go and roll on the pavement. The vehicle struck the mailbox and came to a stop when it struck a pole. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on January 30, 2006 for NHTSA campaign id number 05V025000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The manufacturer wants the contact's insurance company to investigate the failure and notify their legal department with the results. The contact sustain injuries to her left and right side. A police report was filed. The powertrain and speed were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 115,320.
While driving my car in regular drive it suddenly didn't pull no more and the engine just revved. I let my foot off the gas and then it went back into gear. The car continued to do this and then it started to upshift then suddenly downshift to the lower gear causing a very sudden jerk and change in speed. I took my car to Honda of cleveland in cleveland, tn. I told them what happened and they suggested to have a diagnostic test run. I agreed and the results were codes p700 and p730 internal failure and incorrect gear needs transmission overhaul or replacement. I was shocked when the service advisor told me this. I explained to him that I could not understand how this could have happened. I asked him if it could be a defective part. He answered no. I asked if it could be computer related and he said no that it was a failure inside the transmission. I asked him what failed. …
While driving, my car will over rev, and jerk into gear. If I let off of the gas it will slip into gear less harshly. I brought my car to Honda of covington in covington, la, and they informed me that the transmission was failing due to the installation of aftermarket parts, such as a cold-air intake, header, and exhaust muffler. My local mechanic sais this is ludicrous, and that a simple additon of 10-15 hp would not cause a transmission failure. I have not modified or altered in any way the internal components of the car. Each modification was a simple bolt-on and at the time of purcahse was in accordance with Honda. I called Honda techinical service many times and asked if I put a certain aftermarket part on my car would it void my warranty. Each time Honda told me that asd long as the internal components of my car remained intact, I would not be in trouble. …
Honda recall Honda parts defective or poor workmanship. Honda dealership in jasper, alabama is not honoring replacement of known defective parts on my 1998 Honda Prelude. The following includes known defective automatic transmission, known defective ignition module/switch/ignition interlock systems. All three have failed completely and or are in the process of failing. My vehicle is unsafe it cuts off while driving down the road sometimes not restarting. The key will switch to off position and come out while the gear shift lever is not in park with the e-brake not pulled. My car is experiencing all the faults stated in numerous reports on this website and in hondas own recalls. I have done extensive research and hundreds off people suffer from these same problems that Honda will not acknowledge is faulty/defective/has poor workmanship on the 1997-1998 models. …
I have owned three hondas. A 1988 accord, 93 accord, and now currently the 98 Prelude. Of all three the Prelude has given me the most problems. I have spent over $1500 in repairs so far in having the car 8 months. Now my torque converter needs to be replaced. On doing research I have found that Honda is having some sort of major transmission problem between the years 98-01 yet they only issued extended warranties on the 00-01 models. Why? The 97-01 preludes are all exactly the same with the same transmissions and all. So why were they not all included in the warranty. I firmly stand behind Honda's quality and reputation to this day, but if they have a nationwide problem they do need to make sure and include all model years affected to keep their reputation good. It seems the older model year Honda's were built better than the newer ones from what I understand. …
The automatic sport shift transmission is starting to fail. The transmission is shifting hard (jolts) throughout all the gears. I was told by a mechanic that I need a new transmission. My car only has 65,000 miles on it and this is a premature malfunction of the transmission. This car is meticulously cared for, regularly maintained, oil changed regularly; transmission oil changed every third oil change to avoid transmission problems. The car is never raced or redlined. I also don't feel comfortable replacing a transmission that will fail once again as with many Prelude owners. The Honda Prelude costs about $25,000 and thus a $4,000 transmission job is 20% of the car. Just plain unreasonable!!! This has become a financially burdensome situation. Furthermore, Honda has recalled all 1997 preludes in turkey and has replaced the transmissions with updated mh6a units. …
1998 Honda Prelude transmission problem. I just recently bought a 98 Honda Prelude. This is beautiful. I know the previous owner, and she was a good driver that never even utilized the vtec, meaning the RPM never went above 5000. Now I have it, and it has 63000 miles on it. This is my second car so I treat it with much care. But now suddenly, the gears don't shift right. Its an automatic and when the gears are shifting over it feels like a manual transmission with a worn out clutch, the engine revs up a bit and misses the next gear and sets in a late. If the car is floored, when the RPM hits 7000 the gear doesn't change! You have to let go of the accelerator and let it slide in to the next. This is terrible absolutely terrible. As far as I know there has been a recall on the 99-00 preludes and I'm trying to get something done about my 98.
Technical service bulletins summary make: Honda model: Prelude year: 1998 service bulletin number: 010400 NHTSA item number: 618985 summary description: subject regarding a leaking torque converter. Technical service bulletins summary make: Honda model: Prelude year: 1998 service bulletin number: 00090 NHTSA item number: 615735 summary description: subject regarding rear suspension clunks. Make: model: year: service bulletin number: NHTSA item number: summary description: subject regarding automatic transmission shift problems - slippage, flare, hard upshift. Summary description: subject regarding malfunction indicator lamp comes on with diagnostic trouble code p0133.
Consumer stated the vehicle began experiencing problems with the transmission, the problem was caused by a bearing inside of the transmission, after the work was completed, consumer began experiencing more problems with the transmission not shifting smoothly, after being referrred to another mechanic it was determined that additional problems deeper into the transmission had not been originally found by the first mechanic and the entire transmission had to be replaced, consumer is requesting reimbursement from the manufacturer, because he learned of an extended warranty on transmission that the manufacturer was offering, however it only applies to 2000-2001 models.
Transmission complaints in other Prelude years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1998 Honda Prelude?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Honda Prelude, 45% of the model year's 69 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Honda Prelude transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1998 Honda Prelude, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Honda Prelude transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.