Most common 2001 Honda Prelude problems
Share of the 21 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Honda Prelude complaints by model year
Best Prelude years: 1995, 2000, 2001. Years to avoid: 1997, 1998, 1999. Compare all years →
2001 Honda Prelude recalls (1)
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2001 Honda Prelude:
Ignition-park interlock
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…
What 2001 Honda Prelude owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
Takata recall any time I put my car in d4 (automatic) it gets to about 2500 RPM to 3000 RPM in 1st then I have to message the throttle so it will shift and once it shifts to 2nd it starts shifting very quickly no matter the rpms to 3rd then 4th. Also when it's shifting it jerks pretty violently.
When starting my 2001 Honda Prelude, putting into d4 (auto transmission) and beginning to drive, it would hit 3 RPM and not automatically shift. After hitting 3 RPM, it would rev up to 5 RPM before jerking into gear. This happens each time I first drive my car after it had been sitting, unless allowing it 10-15 minutes to completely warm up. If 2nd gear did happen to engage, it would have to rev and jerk into 3rd gear. I have taken it a few times to the auto shop although the transmission fluid levels remained fine and no other indication of a blown transmission was found.
Brakes
Was going 15 MPH. Car in front slamed on brakes, we slammed on brakes, the brakes went all the way to the floor,and the car didn't stop. Ran into the truck in front of us and smashed the right corner panel.
Brake system is malfunctioning and engaging involuntarily. Front end vibrates. Also, left wheel gets hot and locks up. Vehicle has a manual transmission and should roll back when the foot is taken off of brake pedal on an incline. Instead, the vehicle does not move. Dealer was notified and could not duplicate problem. The vehicle would vibrate to the point where the consumer would have to pull off of the road, for a third time the vehicle would not duplicate the problem. The left front brake caliper and hose have been replaced. Consumer does not know if the problem has been corrected.
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Honda Prelude. The contact stated that while parked, she was able to remove the key from the ignition with the vehicle in neutral. The failure recurred intermittently for approximately one year. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for the failure and was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000 and the current mileage was 123,000.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Honda Prelude. On two separate occasions the vehicle failed to start, but the anti theft indicator illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and the ignition switch was repaired. The contact's vehicle was not included in recall # 05v02500. The current and failure mileage were 36,663. Left message 10/16/07 .
2001 Honda Prelude engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Honda Prelude a good car?
Based on 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Prelude rates average: 36% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Prelude at the same age. It is one of the best Prelude years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Honda Prelude?
The transmission & drivetrain — 11 complaints, 52% of all complaints for this model year, most often about manual transmission. Next are the brakes (4) and electrical system (4).
How many recalls does the 2001 Honda Prelude have?
There is 1 recall for the 2001 Honda Prelude, the most recent from January 28, 2005 (switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Honda Prelude?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1995, 2000 and 2001. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997, 1998 and 1999. See the full Honda Prelude years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Honda Prelude problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 102,000 miles; 42% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.