Auto transmission new technology, gears can be upshifted or downsifted manually. When the transmission shifts into 4th. It won't catch and would just rev. Transmission shifted hard (jolting) throughout the gears. Reverse won't catch until after the car starts to roll in reverse direction. Scraping metal noises could be heard when the car starts moving in idle. Transmission also produce whuffing, an rc noise while in park or in neutral- a sign of transmission being shot. Failure of 4th gear and the ongoing symptoms makes the car a harzard on the road because of the unpredicatable jolts in shifting or the gear not catching when speed is required while driving especially on the freeway. This is not an isolated incident. Many auto Prelude owners are having this problem. Honda has taken care of customers with transmission problems if they were still under warranty 3years or 36000miles or if they bought Honda care, extended warranty 6years or 100,000 miles. Honda wasn't able to assist me with my problem. The service rep told me to trade in the car and get rid of it because it cost $4000 for a rebuilt tranny. So, I'm looking at about a additional $4000 plus labor to have it fixed. Reliability, quality product has always been a trait and reputation of Honda, I'm am very disappointed in the defective manner the transmission was built. I have not heard normally of other autos having their auto tranny shot at barely over 50,000miles, not even 3 1/2 years old. Prelude cost about $25000, so $4000+labor is almost 20% of the car cost. Just plain unreasonable!!! I have endured long emotional hours in trying to resolve this financially burdensome situation. The car was bought brand new, I'm very happy with the car...just wishing that I bought a manual Prelude instead because of this poor worksmanship and production of the tranny. Once again, this is not an isolated case....I can get in touch with many people on the internet with the same situation. Thank you *sigh. "

- San Gabriel, CA, USA

The problem with transmission fluid.. the dealer refuses to fix the problem, even though the original transmission never did this. Osha and the epa indicate that long term exposure to transmission fluid fumes are hazarous. I require your help in order to have the transmission repaired, as it is under waranty and Honda refuses to fix the problem. Driving the car is unsafe.

- Morristown, NJ, USA

Honda has identified that the 1998 automatic transmission has a manufacturer's durability defect. They have been repeatedly refused to deal with the problem, costing consumers $2700 each time the transmission fails. More over, they have been trying to keep it quiet. I have specific documentation of the issue, and would be happy to send it to you!( dot number: Tire size: 205/50/16 )

- Morristown, NJ, USA