Honda

Prelude (5th)

2000-2001 · Sports Car · 1 engine
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.9)
34 NHTSA Complaints
3 Recalls
0 Fire Reports
4 Crash Reports
📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

H22A4

2.2L 4-cyl / 195 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.9)
27 complaints 13.5 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
13
electrical
7
engine
3
cooling
3
brakes
3

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (13 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (7 complaints)
Engine Issues (3 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

Honda Prelude Unidentified Engine

Recommended (3.6)
7 complaints 3.5 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
5
safety systems
1
brakes
1

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (5 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (1 complaints)
Brakes Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Honda Prelude regardless of engine variant.

Transmission Issues (18 complaints)
transmission critical
Electrical System Issues (7 complaints)
electrical critical

Recalls (3)

06E060000Jun 28, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

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."

06E026000Mar 22, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

05V025000Jan 27, 2005serious
Electrical System

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.

Alternatives in Sports Car

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2001 Honda Prelude problems?

The 2000-2001 Honda Prelude has accumulated 34 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Transmission, Electrical System, Engine. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Honda Prelude engine is most reliable?

The 2000-2001 Honda Prelude was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.2L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2000-2001 Honda Prelude a good used car?

The 2000-2001 Honda Prelude can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 34 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2001 Honda Prelude have?

The 2000-2001 Honda Prelude has 34 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2000-2001 Honda Prelude?

There are 3 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2000-2001 Honda Prelude vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Honda Prelude?

Before buying a used Honda Prelude, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Transmission, Electrical System, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Prelude have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000-2001 Honda Prelude. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 34 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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