Faulty transmission in 1997 Honda Prelude ss automatic transmission.

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

I have a 1997 Honda Prelude sport-shift automatic. Like most owners of this type of vehicle, the transmission went out. The gears begin to slip and will not engage. The dealer wanted $4000 to get a rebuilt transmission. I had it replaced, but then about 20,000 miles later, it went out again. This time the first gear did not engage. I am basically afraid to drive my car around anymore. I do not want to get it rebuilt again because of the fact that it may as well break again. However, the 2000-01 Honda Prelude with this type of transmission get an extended warranty and I find it very unfair that the same exact car with the same exact transmission gets an extended warranty, but the 1997-99 Prelude do not. If Honda knows of the faulty transmissions, why not replace all of the transmissions instead of the later year ones? I used to love Honda vehicles, until I learned of many others with this same exact problem.

- Diamond Bar, CA, USA

My car suddenly started shifting oddly and got more violent as time passed. This was dangerous because after reversing out of my driveway, the car would jerk and basically have a big clang. The car also died out when I was driving. After I replaced the transmission at 80000 miles, it is now starting to shift hard again.

- Newtown, PA, USA

While driving, the transmission slipped, causing the vehicle to surge forward. Ts the transmission stalled, didn't shift gears properly, and would jerk, all while in motion and/or speeding up. Scc

- Tacoma, WA, USA

Consumer states that when changing from 2nd to 3rd gear vehicle will skip, and motor will revv up to high RPM. When it finally shift vehicle will jerk forward, jerk is so severe that it may cause lost of control of vehicle.dealer contacted, cannot fix problem.

- Blue Ridge, GA, USA

When the vehicle is cold, the transmission experiences a delayed abrupt shift into reverse. When shifting from 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, 4th to 3rd, and 3rd to 2nd, the transmission shift abruptly (sometimes delayed) until the car warms up. This made turning onto busy roads difficult as I was never sure how long the shifts would take. Honda never identified the problem. Their only solution was a complete transmission replacement. Honda America provided the replacement transmission (goodwill assistance), but I was required to pay labor (~$380). The problem now appears to be fixed. Nlm

- Westminster, CO, USA

Automatic transmission began shifting extremely harshly. On upshift the car will squeal the tires causing obvious control problems. This poses a safety hazard, especially in heavy traffic, or on wet pavement or slick roads, as car is difficult to control on upshift. Dealer says car needs remanufactured transmission. I have researched and found this (transmission failures) to be a known problem with Honda Prelude of this generation, as well as accuras of similar vintage. I have uncovered information that Honda has been aware of this problem for some time and done nothing to correct. I contacted Honda consumer service and they would not discuss with me. I feel Honda should recall these cars for this potentailly dangerous defect.

- Eldon, MO, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

Auto transmission failed prematurely. 8 other reports filed to NHTSA, more than 20 others have similiar complaints of transmissions failing at www.hondaprelude.com. service bulletin issued by Honda recognises the problem, but will not provide any financial assistance to repair the defect.

- Kingwood, TX, USA

Transmission went out with only 60,000. Dealership cannot give reason other than "sometimes they just fall apart". dealership also stated that the transmission in the Prelude are designed to go over 200,000 miles. Had a diagnostic test done and result was converter collasped and destroyed transmission. "sometimes they just fall apart" is a very expensive answer for a car with only 60,000 miles.

- Humble, TX, USA

When vehicle is cold, the transmission will slip into neutral while shifting from gear to gear. While under any kind of acceleration, the transmission will slip into neutral and the engine will climb rpms before the transmission engages, causing it to slam into gear. Also the transmission will cause the car to stall at a stop, causing the car to shutter and die in certain situations. Dealer is well aware of the problem, but refusing to fix it.

- Jefferson City, MO, USA

When vehicle is cold transmission does not shift from first to second gear, and then from third to fourth, extreme hesitation occurs. Cause unknown.

- Dover, DE, USA

Transmission does not go into reverse some times.

- Houston, TX, USA

Can you please help us. The car has been to 2 different dealers and neither will tell us whats causing the problem. They dont know why. We just got car back and its still shifting strange. Car has no power for passing in low gear. This is getting dangerous to drive on the freeway because when the transmission goes out it has no power at all. Nevermind getting stuck on the freeway. Please feel free to call us if any further info is needed. Thanks jean delucia

- Palmdale, CA, USA

While driving the vehicle transmission malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to stall. Also, while changing into 1 and 2 gears it will abruptly stop which almost caused an accident. Dealer replaced 5 transmissions. Dealer cannot determine problem. Cause unknown.

- Monroe, NY, USA