1999 Honda Prelude: common problems and reliability
31 owner complaints on record.
Most complaints are about power train. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 1999 Prelude?The 1999 Honda Prelude has 31 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system.
Safety record for the 1999 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1999 Honda Prelude vehicles (US, public record).
Is 1999 a good year for the Prelude?
Across the 6 Prelude model years we track, complaint volume runs from 4 (1996) to 74 (1997). With 31 complaints, the 1999 Prelude sits about the same as the model's median of 31.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 1999 Prelude
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E060000CERTAIN 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."
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E026000CERTAIN 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.
electrical system:ignition:switch
Campaign 02V120000ON 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.
electrical system:ignition:switch
Campaign 05V025000ON 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.
What owners say across generations
Mixed to negative sentiment overall, with significant controversy surrounding its value proposition and positioning.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Prelude. See the full Prelude owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Prelude listings typically run $41,523–$42,750 across 2026 to 2026 model years.
Other Prelude model years
Compare every Prelude year side by side to see how 1999 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Prelude against its rivals
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