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1998 Honda Accord

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Accord years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Honda Accord are substantially higher than the model-year median of 356.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

491 reports with mileage · 709 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 308 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 276 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 134 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

100 crash reports3 fire reports49 injury reports

Power Train complaints

276 reports
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140,000 miles · Feb 7, 2021
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

DURING THE NORMAL SPEED ON THE 40 MILE PER HOUR STREET TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY STACK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 30 MILE PER HOUR .AFTER THAT DATE THIS CONDITION CONTINUES ON AND OFF .ON THE OTHER SIDE THE TRANSMISSION CHANGES THE SPEED ONLY IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. ALL NESESSARY TRANSMISSION ADJUSTMENTS HAS BEEN …

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DURING THE NORMAL SPEED ON THE 40 MILE PER HOUR STREET TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY STACK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 30 MILE PER HOUR .AFTER THAT DATE THIS CONDITION CONTINUES ON AND OFF .ON THE OTHER SIDE THE TRANSMISSION CHANGES THE SPEED ONLY IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. ALL NESESSARY TRANSMISSION ADJUSTMENTS HAS BEEN DONE. ORAL MECHANICAL ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR COSTS $ 2200

NHTSA ODI #11395039

131,000 miles · Apr 1, 2017
Power Train

TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. IT IS SLIPPING BETWEEN SHIFTS, WHICH LEADS TO SPIKED RPMS BECAUSE OF THE DELAYED SHIFT. THE SHIFT IS ALSO VERY HARSH, WHERE IT JERKS, SHAKES, AND RUMBLES THE CAR. GEARS ALSO GRIND OCCASIONALLY BETWEEN STOP AND FIRST GEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10969836

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2016
Power Train

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR CAR PLEASE SEE BELOW FROM THE OTHER HONDA OWNER'S DESCRIPTION: AT 100,000 MILES MY 1998 HONDA ACCORD BEGAN JERKING AND BUCKING WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND ALSO WHEN ACCELERATING IN HIGHER GEAR. I WAS ALMOST KILLED BY A SEMI TRUCK BEHIND ME WHEN THE CAR BUCKED AND DECELERATED…

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THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR CAR PLEASE SEE BELOW FROM THE OTHER HONDA OWNER'S DESCRIPTION: AT 100,000 MILES MY 1998 HONDA ACCORD BEGAN JERKING AND BUCKING WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND ALSO WHEN ACCELERATING IN HIGHER GEAR. I WAS ALMOST KILLED BY A SEMI TRUCK BEHIND ME WHEN THE CAR BUCKED AND DECELERATED RAPIDLY. THESE ARE DANGEROUS CARS! THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IN THE LOWER GEARS THE CAR WOULD GO INTO "LIMP MODE" AND I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO DRIVE IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A VERY REPUTABLE MECHANIC AND HE DIAGNOSED A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND TOLD ME THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF HONDA. TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD COST $3,400.00. AFTER RESEARCHING I HAVE COME TO LEARN THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT HONDA HAS BEEN AWARE OF AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY. I CONTACTED HONDA AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY "SYMPATHIZE WITH THE PROBLEM I HAD BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO RECALLS OR ALERTS IN THEIR SYSTEM" THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO TO HELP. THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 1998 HONDA ACCORDS AND IN MY CASE IT ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE. IF YOU HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM, PLEASE REPORT IT TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMINISTRATION.

NHTSA ODI #10898023

266,000 miles · Jun 17, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF REVERSE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF REVERSE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 266,000.

NHTSA ODI #10725734

266,000 miles · Jun 17, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY DECELERATED TO 25 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE JERKED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY DECELERATED TO 25 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE JERKED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 266,000.

NHTSA ODI #10725732

130,000 miles · Jun 13, 2013
Power Train

THIS IS MY SECOND HONDA I OWNED AND I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH MY SECOND HONDA'S TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR A ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOW. I FIRST NOTICED A SLIPPING AND A DELAY IN SPEED WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE IT. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A FUEL PUMP ISSUE BUT THEN IT STARTED TO SLIP MORE SEVERELY TO THE POINT I ALMOST WRECKED TRYING TO MA…

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THIS IS MY SECOND HONDA I OWNED AND I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH MY SECOND HONDA'S TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR A ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOW. I FIRST NOTICED A SLIPPING AND A DELAY IN SPEED WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE IT. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A FUEL PUMP ISSUE BUT THEN IT STARTED TO SLIP MORE SEVERELY TO THE POINT I ALMOST WRECKED TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE THIS CAR HAS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A MECHANIC, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. HE SAID IT WAS A SHIFT SOLENOID, $365 DOLLARS LATER JUST FOR THE PART ALONE, NO FIX. THE SAME SLIPPING AND JERKING CONTINUED. I HAVE LOOKED FOR A GOOD PRICE FOR A TRANSMISSION AND IT COST ABOUT $1,800> TO GET A THE TRANSMISSION INSTALLED WITH LABOR. A PRICE THAT I AM NOT WILLING TO PAY. I FEEL HONDA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS FAULTY CAR. SO MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS IS NOT A COINCIDENCE ITS A FACT. HONDA GET IT TOGETHER OR YOU WILL LOSE MANY LOYAL CUSTOMERS!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519649

114,000 miles · Nov 14, 2012
Power Train

ON THE DATE SPECIFIED ABOVE UP TO THE CURRENT DATE 11/14/2012 I [XXX]HAVE HAD THIS 1998 HONDA ACCORD EX FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS OUT OF THIS CAR'S TAKE OFF SPEED. TO FURTHER EXPLAIN THE CAR STRUGGLES TO TAKE OFF, AND WHEN IT DOES AND TRIES TO SHIFT, THE SHIFTING IS EITHER DELAYED, AND OR THE VEHICLE SHIFTS VE…

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ON THE DATE SPECIFIED ABOVE UP TO THE CURRENT DATE 11/14/2012 I [XXX]HAVE HAD THIS 1998 HONDA ACCORD EX FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS OUT OF THIS CAR'S TAKE OFF SPEED. TO FURTHER EXPLAIN THE CAR STRUGGLES TO TAKE OFF, AND WHEN IT DOES AND TRIES TO SHIFT, THE SHIFTING IS EITHER DELAYED, AND OR THE VEHICLE SHIFTS VERY ROUGH. IT IS ALMOST AS THOUGHT THE VEHICLE IS LEAPING FORWARD. THERE ARE EVEN TIMES WHEN I TRY TO TAKE OFF AFTER STOPPING IN TRAFFIC, THE CAR BEHAVES AS THOUGH IT IS IN NEUTRAL WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT FROM FIRST GEAR TO SECOND GEAR. MY ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON UNTIL LATER INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION SOMEWHERE. I PULLED OUT MY CODE READER AND HOOKED IT TO THE OBD OUTLET ON MY CAR AND IT INDICATED, LOW TORQUE SHIFT SOLENOID CIRCUIT. I CHECKED THE INTERNET TO SEE IF ANY OTHER HONDA OWNERS HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR HONDA ACCORDS, AND IT APPEARS THAT I AM NOT ALONE WITH HAVING THE SAME SYMPTOMS. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT HONDA HAS HAD THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE CRAFTSMANSHIP OF THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ON THE ACCORDS FROM YEAR MODELS 1998-2002. HOWEVER, SO FAR FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED ON THE WEB THEIR HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OR FIRES REPORTED YET. I AM URGING THE NHTSA OR SAFERCAR.GOV TO IMMEDIATELY INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I BELIEVE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS A 1998 MODEL, THEIR HAVE BEEN CUSTOMERS WHOM HAVE HAD THEIR VEHICLES HAVE TRANSMISSION FAILURES WITH MILEAGE AS LOW AS 56000. THIS TYPE OF MILEAGE OF 56000-117000 MILES FOR A TRANSMISSION TO FAIL IS NOT NORMAL. ESPECIALLY IF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED, WITH MAINTENANCE RECORDS TO BACK IT UP TO DATE. ANYWAY, PLEASE INVESTIGATE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT OR EVEN KILLED. I DON'T WANT ANYONE OR HONDA TO SUFFER LIKE FIRESTONE TIRES DID A FEW YEARS AGO. COME ON HONDA, FIX YOUR PRODUCT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN STANDING BEHIND. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10484583

215,000 miles · Oct 27, 2012
Power TrainInjury

I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP. AND IT WAS OK AT FIRST THAN CHECK ENGINES LIGHT CAME ON AND I GOT IT CHECKED OUT LONG STORY SHORT THE DEALER REPLACED IT. BUT I MESSED UP MY WRIST BC OF THE JERK FROM THE VEHICLE. AND NOW A YEAR AND A HALF LATER MY TORQUE CONVERTER GOES OUT AGAIN AT 245,000 MILES WHICH MEANS YOUR TRANSMISSION …

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I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DEALERSHIP. AND IT WAS OK AT FIRST THAN CHECK ENGINES LIGHT CAME ON AND I GOT IT CHECKED OUT LONG STORY SHORT THE DEALER REPLACED IT. BUT I MESSED UP MY WRIST BC OF THE JERK FROM THE VEHICLE. AND NOW A YEAR AND A HALF LATER MY TORQUE CONVERTER GOES OUT AGAIN AT 245,000 MILES WHICH MEANS YOUR TRANSMISSION IS OUT TOO. I BEEN ALL OVER THE WEB WHY HASN'T NHTSA MADE HONDA RECALL THEIR TRANSMISSION WHEN ITS EFFECTING SO MANY PEOPLE. I'M NOW ABOUT TO BE OUT OF A JOB, AND HOME. I'M BEGGING NHTSA DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS 2000-2003 WEREN'T THE ONLY YEAR TO HAVE A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM 1999 ARE TO. I THINK THERE IS NO BETTER PROOF THAN RESEARCH. IF U GOOGLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM HONDA ACCORD/ODYSSEY 1998-2002 HAVE BAD ISSUES WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER CODE P0740. PLEASE RESOLVE THIS ISSUE TRANSMISSION SHOULDN'T GO OUT AFTER 50,000 MILES. SAFETY WISE: THIS PAST WEEK I ALMOST HIT TO SEMI TRUCK BC IT JERKED FORWARD I COULD'VE DIED. AND BEING ON THE HIGHWAY N THE MIDDLE IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN IT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THAT PEOPLE WANTED TO KNOW THE ISSUES WITH THE CAR THEY ARE BUYING CARFAX ONLY STATS RECALL. I PREFER A RECALL LIKE A THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE BUT IF YOU CAN'T, AT LEAST MAKE HONDA COME UP WITH A BETTER SOLUTION A BETTER TRANSMISSION HAVE THEM ADD A TRANSMISSION FILTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482434

2,450 miles · Sep 18, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE DATES RANGING FROM 1999-2012. I THOUGHT IT WAS COVERED THROUGH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #: 98V018000 BUT I DID NOT USE THE CAR ENOUGH TO RECOGNIZE A PATTERN UNTIL 2002. I THINK AT THAT TIME, THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES IN 2002 WHEN I BEGAN TO USE THE CAR ON MORE ROUTIN…

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PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE DATES RANGING FROM 1999-2012. I THOUGHT IT WAS COVERED THROUGH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #: 98V018000 BUT I DID NOT USE THE CAR ENOUGH TO RECOGNIZE A PATTERN UNTIL 2002. I THINK AT THAT TIME, THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES IN 2002 WHEN I BEGAN TO USE THE CAR ON MORE ROUTINE BASES. THERE ARE TWO OCCASIONS THAT CAUSE THE ISSUE TO ARISE. WHILE I AM DRIVING, THE STEERING COLUMN WILL LOCK UP CAUSING AN ISSUE TO SHIFT FROM GEAR TO GEAR AND THE MOBILITY OF THE CAR. AS THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD LOCK AND CAUSE THE HORN TO MALFUNCTION AND NOT MAKE A SOUND AND THE LIMIT MY MOBILITY TO PARK THE CAR. MOST STREETS THAT I DRIVE ARE NOT ON AN INCLINE BUT THERE HAVE BEEN FEW OCCASIONS, WHERE IF THE CAR WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, IT WOULD BEGIN TO ROLL. I WOULD USE THE GEAR BRAKES TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. ANOTHER ISSUE INVOLVES ANOTHER PATH (OCCASION) WHICH CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK WHICH CAUSES MALFUNCTIONS IN THE HORN AND THE INTERLOCKING INCIDENT. IF I AM DRIVING AND IN THE STAGES OF PARKING MY CAR, THE STEERING COLUMN WILL LOCK AFFECTING THE ABILITY FOR ME TO CHANGE GEAR AND MY ABILITY TO ADEQUATELY MOBILITY WHEN PARK. THIS HAS OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY NOW BUT IT HAS OCCURRED IN 1999. WHEN I WAS ADVISED OF THE INTERLOCK RECALL, I THOUGHT THIS WAS ADDRESSED. ONCE THIS OCCURS, THE CAR CAN ONLY BE UNLOCKED WHEN I DRIVE WHEN I PRESS DOWN OF THE HEAR CHARGER, PUT THE KEY IN THE SLIGHT COVERING THE GEAR CHANGER AND MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. BETWEEN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #: 03V423000 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #: 02V120000, I THOUGHT THESE ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED. WHEN I CALLED HONDA TODAY AND SPOKE TO [XXX] 800-999-1099 EXT [XXX], THE RECALL IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN SOI WANTED TO MAKE SURE THIS WAS ACKNOWLEDGED FOR INCIDENTS FOR MY CAR MODEL & VIN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475839

91,150 miles · Sep 14, 2012
Power Train

1998 HONDA ACCORD COMPLETE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 91,150 MILES. INCIDENT BELOW RESULTED IN NEAR COLLISION WHEN MY VEHICLE PULLED OUT TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. OTHER VEHICLE HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES TO AVOID SIDE COLLISION. I HAVE A 1998 HONDA ACCORD LX, 4…

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1998 HONDA ACCORD COMPLETE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 91,150 MILES. INCIDENT BELOW RESULTED IN NEAR COLLISION WHEN MY VEHICLE PULLED OUT TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. OTHER VEHICLE HAD TO SLAM ON BRAKES TO AVOID SIDE COLLISION. I HAVE A 1998 HONDA ACCORD LX, 4- DOOR, 4 CYLINDER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AT APPROXIMATELY 91,000 MILES, I NOTICED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTED TO "SLIP" SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR INTO SECOND GEAR, ESPECIALLY RIGHT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS JUST STARTED. THIS ISSUE WOULD GET WORSE UNDER MEDIUM TO HEAVY ACCELERATION. HAVING HAD ANOTHER 1997 HONDA ACCORD LX, 2 DOOR, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THAT FAILED AT 66,000 MILES, I SUSPECTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING ON THIS 1998 HONDA ACCORD LX. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COTTMAN TRANSMISSION FOR EVALUATION, AND THE TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING UP THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THE SEVERE "SLIPPAGE" FROM FIRST INTO SECOND GEAR AND RAN DIAGNOSTIC TESTS ON ALL THE ELECTRIC COMPONENTS, INCLUDING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SOLENOIDS. UPON COMPLETION AND ADDITIONAL EXAMINATION OF THE PROBLEM, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING, AND REQUIRED A TOTAL REBUILD. ONCE THE HONDA ACCORD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS REMOVED FROM THE HONDA ACCORD AND TAKEN APART, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE INTERNAL METAL FILTER WAS PLUGGED WITH METAL SAVINGS, THE CLUTCH BANDS WERE BURNED, AND AN INTERNAL ELECTRIC SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE. EXPECT NO HELP AND/OR COMPENSATION FROM HONDA CORPORATION AS PURSING THAT ROUTE HAS BEEN FUTILE. IT WOULD SEEM THAT HONDA CORPORATION HAD BEEN OVER CONFIDENT IN THE SALE OF HONDAS IN THE UNITED STATES, THAT THE "QUALITY" OF THEIR PRODUCT NOW SUFFERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475460

Official recalls

6

20V026000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 17, 2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

03V423000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Oct 27, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND PREVENT PROPER INTERLOCK OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT SHIFT TO "PARK" BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF CYLINDER BODY WEAR. IF SIGNIFICANT WEAR IS INDICATED, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CYLINDER BODY, COLLAR, AND LATCH PLATE. IF NO SIGNS OF WEAR ARE INDICATED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LATCH PLATE WITH A REDESIGNED PART. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

02V120000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

May 16, 2002

ON 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

99V069000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

May 10, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

98V018000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

Feb 10, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES (HONDA ACCORD SEDANS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 18, 1997 TO JANUARY 10, 1998; COUPES MANUFACTURED DECEMBER 11, DECEMBER 15, 1997, AND JANUARY 5, 1998; ACURA 2.3CL MANUFACTURED OCTOBER 22, 1997 THROUGH JANUARY 7, 1998). DURING MANUFACTURING, THE CASTING DIE CAUSED AN IRREGULARITY IN THE RIGHT-SIDE TRANSMISSION COVER. THIS IRREGULARITY CAN LIMIT THE MOVEMENT OF THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATION LEVEL AND PREVENT ADEQUATE ENGAGEMENT OF THE PARKING GEAR PAWL. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN AN INCLINE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED IN "PARK," INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COLLAR ON THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL TO ENSURE PROPER MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATION LEVER.

97V220000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage

Dec 16, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MOUNTING BRACKET WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE BRACKET TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE BODY IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THESE VEHICLES.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA03017 · IGNITION-PARK Interlock

Opened Sep 9, 2003 · Closed Dec 17, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:ignition:switch; Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

SIX OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE OF HONDA COMPLAINTS, AS WELL AS FOUR OF THE CRASHES.THE ONE INJURY OCCURRED WHEN A ROLLAWAY VEHICLE STRUCK THE EXITING OPERATOR WHO HAD INADVERTENTLY PARKED THE VEHICLE IN AN UNSECURED STATE (NOT IN PARK, BRAKE NOT ENGAGED).HONDA IDENTIFIED THE WARRANTY CLAIMS FROM COMPLAINT DESCRIPTIONS THAT CONTENDED THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY.HONDA PRESENTED THE RESULTS OF THEIR INVESTIGATION INTO INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURES AT AN OCTOBER 16, 2003 MEETING WITH ODI IN WHICH HONDA IDENTIFIED A SUPPLIER AND AN ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION CHANGE FOR THE IGNITION CYLINDER BODY (CB), A SUBCOMPONENT OF THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY.RESULTS FROM HONDA?S ANALYSIS DEMONSTRATED A STRONG CORRELATION BETWEEN THE PRODUCTION DATE RANGE OF VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCED HIGHER INTERLOCK WARRANTY CLAIM RATES AND THE IMPLEMENTATION DATES OF THE CHANGES.AN ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION FOR A SURFACE TREATMENT PROCESS FOR THE CB WAS ELIMINATED AT THE BEGINNING OF MY 1998.THE SUPPLIER OF THE CB WAS CHANGED IN FEBRUARY 1999.VEHICLES BUILT WITHIN THIS TIME PERIOD CONTAIN A CB WITH POOR SURFACE HARDNESS THAT CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.AS THE WEAR PROGRESSES, THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM BECOMES INCAPABLE OF PREVENTING KEY REMOVAL WHEN THE SHIFTER IS IN A NON-PARK POSITION.INTERLOCK FAILURE INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ROLLAWAY AND SUBSEQUENT CRASH OR INJURY WHEN VEHICLES ARE PARKED UNSECURED.HONDA ACCORD VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS CHANGE INCLUDE MY 1998 AND MY 1999 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1999 PRODUCTION.VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER THIS DATE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION AND THUS ARE NOT CONSIDERED AT RISK FOR FAILURE.ODI NOTES THAT 12 OF THE 13 VOQ REPORTS FALL WITHIN THIS PRODUCTION RANGE (THE 13TH DOES NOT HAVE A VIN AND CANNOT BE VERIFIED).THE ABOVE POPULATION REPRESENTS THE NUMBER OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES TO BE RECALLED.HONDA ALSO REPORTED THAT CERTAIN ODYSSEY AND ACURA CL AND TL MODELS WERE AFFECTED AND WOULD ALSO BE RECALLED.A TOTAL OF 570,120 VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED.UNDER RECALL 03V-423, HONDA WILL INSPECT VEHICLES AND REPLACE COMPONENTS (INCLUDING THE CB) ON VEHICLES WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR.VEHICLES NOT SHOWING WEAR WILL HAVE A REDESIGNED PART INSTALLED WHICH PREVENTS WEAR.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:ignition:switch

SIX OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE OF HONDA COMPLAINTS, AS WELL AS FOUR OF THE CRASHES.THE ONE INJURY OCCURRED WHEN A ROLLAWAY VEHICLE STRUCK THE EXITING OPERATOR WHO HAD INADVERTENTLY PARKED THE VEHICLE IN AN UNSECURED STATE (NOT IN PARK, BRAKE NOT ENGAGED).HONDA IDENTIFIED THE WARRANTY CLAIMS FROM COMPLAINT DESCRIPTIONS THAT CONTENDED THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY.HONDA PRESENTED THE RESULTS OF THEIR INVESTIGATION INTO INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURES AT AN OCTOBER 16, 2003 MEETING WITH ODI IN WHICH HONDA IDENTIFIED A SUPPLIER AND AN ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION CHANGE FOR THE IGNITION CYLINDER BODY (CB), A SUBCOMPONENT OF THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY.RESULTS FROM HONDA?S ANALYSIS DEMONSTRATED A STRONG CORRELATION BETWEEN THE PRODUCTION DATE RANGE OF VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCED HIGHER INTERLOCK WARRANTY CLAIM RATES AND THE IMPLEMENTATION DATES OF THE CHANGES.AN ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION FOR A SURFACE TREATMENT PROCESS FOR THE CB WAS ELIMINATED AT THE BEGINNING OF MY 1998.THE SUPPLIER OF THE CB WAS CHANGED IN FEBRUARY 1999.VEHICLES BUILT WITHIN THIS TIME PERIOD CONTAIN A CB WITH POOR SURFACE HARDNESS THAT CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.AS THE WEAR PROGRESSES, THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM BECOMES INCAPABLE OF PREVENTING KEY REMOVAL WHEN THE SHIFTER IS IN A NON-PARK POSITION.INTERLOCK FAILURE INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ROLLAWAY AND SUBSEQUENT CRASH OR INJURY WHEN VEHICLES ARE PARKED UNSECURED.HONDA ACCORD VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS CHANGE INCLUDE MY 1998 AND MY 1999 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1999 PRODUCTION.VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER THIS DATE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION AND THUS ARE NOT CONSIDERED AT RISK FOR FAILURE.ODI NOTES THAT 12 OF THE 13 VOQ REPORTS FALL WITHIN THIS PRODUCTION RANGE (THE 13TH DOES NOT HAVE A VIN AND CANNOT BE VERIFIED).THE ABOVE POPULATION REPRESENTS THE NUMBER OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES TO BE RECALLED.HONDA ALSO REPORTED THAT CERTAIN ODYSSEY AND ACURA CL AND TL MODELS WERE AFFECTED AND WOULD ALSO BE RECALLED.A TOTAL OF 570,120 VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED.UNDER RECALL 03V-423, HONDA WILL INSPECT VEHICLES AND REPLACE COMPONENTS (INCLUDING THE CB) ON VEHICLES WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR.VEHICLES NOT SHOWING WEAR WILL HAVE A REDESIGNED PART INSTALLED WHICH PREVENTS WEAR.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

SIX OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE OF HONDA COMPLAINTS, AS WELL AS FOUR OF THE CRASHES.THE ONE INJURY OCCURRED WHEN A ROLLAWAY VEHICLE STRUCK THE EXITING OPERATOR WHO HAD INADVERTENTLY PARKED THE VEHICLE IN AN UNSECURED STATE (NOT IN PARK, BRAKE NOT ENGAGED).HONDA IDENTIFIED THE WARRANTY CLAIMS FROM COMPLAINT DESCRIPTIONS THAT CONTENDED THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY.HONDA PRESENTED THE RESULTS OF THEIR INVESTIGATION INTO INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURES AT AN OCTOBER 16, 2003 MEETING WITH ODI IN WHICH HONDA IDENTIFIED A SUPPLIER AND AN ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION CHANGE FOR THE IGNITION CYLINDER BODY (CB), A SUBCOMPONENT OF THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY.RESULTS FROM HONDA?S ANALYSIS DEMONSTRATED A STRONG CORRELATION BETWEEN THE PRODUCTION DATE RANGE OF VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCED HIGHER INTERLOCK WARRANTY CLAIM RATES AND THE IMPLEMENTATION DATES OF THE CHANGES.AN ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION FOR A SURFACE TREATMENT PROCESS FOR THE CB WAS ELIMINATED AT THE BEGINNING OF MY 1998.THE SUPPLIER OF THE CB WAS CHANGED IN FEBRUARY 1999.VEHICLES BUILT WITHIN THIS TIME PERIOD CONTAIN A CB WITH POOR SURFACE HARDNESS THAT CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.AS THE WEAR PROGRESSES, THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM BECOMES INCAPABLE OF PREVENTING KEY REMOVAL WHEN THE SHIFTER IS IN A NON-PARK POSITION.INTERLOCK FAILURE INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ROLLAWAY AND SUBSEQUENT CRASH OR INJURY WHEN VEHICLES ARE PARKED UNSECURED.HONDA ACCORD VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS CHANGE INCLUDE MY 1998 AND MY 1999 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1999 PRODUCTION.VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER THIS DATE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION AND THUS ARE NOT CONSIDERED AT RISK FOR FAILURE.ODI NOTES THAT 12 OF THE 13 VOQ REPORTS FALL WITHIN THIS PRODUCTION RANGE (THE 13TH DOES NOT HAVE A VIN AND CANNOT BE VERIFIED).THE ABOVE POPULATION REPRESENTS THE NUMBER OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES TO BE RECALLED.HONDA ALSO REPORTED THAT CERTAIN ODYSSEY AND ACURA CL AND TL MODELS WERE AFFECTED AND WOULD ALSO BE RECALLED.A TOTAL OF 570,120 VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED.UNDER RECALL 03V-423, HONDA WILL INSPECT VEHICLES AND REPLACE COMPONENTS (INCLUDING THE CB) ON VEHICLES WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR.VEHICLES NOT SHOWING WEAR WILL HAVE A REDESIGNED PART INSTALLED WHICH PREVENTS WEAR.

PE03014 · IGNITION-PARK Interlock System

Opened Apr 15, 2003 · Closed Sep 5, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

SIX OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE OF THE MANUFACTURER COMPLAINTS, AS WELL AS FOUR OF THE CRASHES.THE NOTED INJURY OCCURRED WHEN A ROLLAWAY VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN INADVERTENTLY PARKED IN NEUTRAL STRUCK THE EXITING OPERATOR.THE WARRANTY CLAIM COUNT SHOWN FOR OTHER REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE HONDA'S ANALYSIS OF CLAIM DETAIL INDICATES THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM UTILIZES A LEVER TO BLOCK IGNITION KEY REMOVAL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK.HONDA HAS IDENTIFIED A WEAR CONDITION OF THE INTERLOCK LEVER THAT CAN CAUSE THE SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION; WHEN WEAR OCCURS THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE SHIFTER IS IN A NON-PARK POSITION.HONDA DOCUMENTS INDICATE THAT A MANUFACTURING PROCESS MAY BE THE CAUSE OF INTERLOCK LEVER WEAR, AND THAT THIS PROCESS WAS REVISED IN JANUARY OF 2001.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WILL BE OPENED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN AND ITS SCOPE.

PE02072 · Seat Frame Bracket Failure

Opened Oct 2, 2002 · Closed Mar 28, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats

THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON 10 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS IN THE ODI DATABASE ALLEGING THAT THE POWER ASSISTED SEATS WERE FAILING IN CERTAIN 1998-2002 HONDA ACCORD VEHICLES.FAILURES ARE CONCENTRATED IN THE 1998-99 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES.THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT BOTTOM TO THE SEAT BASE IS FRACTURING DUE TO: 1-THE WELD CONDITION OF BRACKET, 2-THE DRIVERS WEIGHT, AND 3-THE IMPACT ON THE SEAT WHEN THE DRIVER ENTERS THE VEHICLE AND SITS DOWN.OVER TIME THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT MAY FAIL AT THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE SEAT BOTTOM.THE OTHER 3 POINTS OF ATTACHMENT OF THE SEAT BOTTOM TO THE SEAT BASE STAY ATTACHED AND THE SEAT MOVEMENT IS LIMITED.THE ATTACHMENT OF THE SEAT BOTTOM TO THE SEAT BACK DOES NOT FAIL.THE CONDITION IS MOST APPARENT DURING RAPID ACCELERATION CAUSING THE SEAT TO TILT REARWARD.ALTHOUGH A FEW COMPLAINTS REPORT CONCERN OVER LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, NO LOSS OF CONTROL INCIDENTS, CRASHES OR INJURIES ARE REPORTED.IN RESPONSE TO CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS, HONDA WILL PROVIDE OWNERS OF 1998 AND SOME 1999 ACCORDS A NO-COST REINFORCEMENT FOR THE SEAT AT THE LEFT FRONT CORNER.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

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