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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

What owners actually said

1,200 reports
140,000 miles · Sep 14, 2016
Electrical System

THE ENGINE RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! IT IS NOT THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF A PAST RECALL. HONDA DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE ABOUT WHAT IS CAUSING THIS ISSUE AND IF YOU CHECK THE INTERNET ALL KINDS OF HONDA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I BET SOMEONE HAS ALREADY BEEN KILLED BECAUS…

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THE ENGINE RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! IT IS NOT THE IGNITION SWITCH WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF A PAST RECALL. HONDA DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE ABOUT WHAT IS CAUSING THIS ISSUE AND IF YOU CHECK THE INTERNET ALL KINDS OF HONDA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I BET SOMEONE HAS ALREADY BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF IT.

NHTSA ODI #10906305

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

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10883440

218,000 miles · Jul 4, 2016
Suspension

THE FRONT SUBFRAME IS GETTING RUSTY AND I CAN SEE A LOT OF WATER DRAINING FROM THE AC SYSTEM ON IT. I THINK IT MIGHT FAIL AND CAUSE A MAJOR ISSUE. MY CAR IS NOT RUSTY, IT IS IN A GREAT SHAPE FOR THE AGE. THE ONLY PLACE THAT IS RUSTED SO BAD IS THAT AREA. HONDA'S BAD DESIGN THAT MAKES THE AC WATER DRAIN PLUG DUMP INTO THE SUBF…

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THE FRONT SUBFRAME IS GETTING RUSTY AND I CAN SEE A LOT OF WATER DRAINING FROM THE AC SYSTEM ON IT. I THINK IT MIGHT FAIL AND CAUSE A MAJOR ISSUE. MY CAR IS NOT RUSTY, IT IS IN A GREAT SHAPE FOR THE AGE. THE ONLY PLACE THAT IS RUSTED SO BAD IS THAT AREA. HONDA'S BAD DESIGN THAT MAKES THE AC WATER DRAIN PLUG DUMP INTO THE SUBFRAME MADE THAT PROBLEM HAPPEN.

NHTSA ODI #10882398

55 miles · Jun 16, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I BOUGHT THIS 1998 HONDA ACCORD AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY MY CAR VIN NUMBER IS NOT IN THE RECALLS FOR THIS NO WARNING CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING AND ITS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IT AND SOMETIMES IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO START UP AND THEN CONTINUE TO CUT OFF I HAVE REPLACED FUEL PUMP DISTRIBUTOR FULL TUNEUP AND NEXT MY IGNITION COIL WH…

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I BOUGHT THIS 1998 HONDA ACCORD AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY MY CAR VIN NUMBER IS NOT IN THE RECALLS FOR THIS NO WARNING CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING AND ITS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IT AND SOMETIMES IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO START UP AND THEN CONTINUE TO CUT OFF I HAVE REPLACED FUEL PUMP DISTRIBUTOR FULL TUNEUP AND NEXT MY IGNITION COIL WHICH IS A RECALL FOR MY YEAR HONDA ACCORD AND THIS CUT OFF PROBLEM SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF FOR MY SAFETY BECAUSE I OWN THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND CONCERN OF THE RECALLS ON MY CAR PLEASE. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR THE NEXT DAY I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR JUST CUT OFF AND I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT WAS OFF UNTIL I REALIZE I WAS SLOWING DOWN AND STEERING GOT HARD AND TRAFFIC WAS YELLING AT ME FROM THEIR VEHICLES AND I WAS SCARED PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF FREEWAY.AND AS OF TODAY IT DOES IT MORE FREQUENTLY AND TAKE LONGER TO START BACK UP THAN IT DID WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR SO I THINK IT IS UNFAIR THAT MY VIN NUMBER FOR THIS CAN'T BE TAKEN CARE OF UNDER THIS UNSAFE RECALL THAT MY CAR IS INCLUDED IN ONTHIS RECALL PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHY IM NOT INCLUDED AND THAT'S NOT OK.

NHTSA ODI #10874712

128,000 miles · May 30, 2016
Engine

MY CAR'S ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING 65 M/H IN THE FREEWAY AND REGULAR ROAD. ALSO I COULDN'T RE START MY CAR RIGHT A WAY. IT IS HAPPENING MORE WHEN IS HOT DAYS THAN COLD DAYS. WHEN I TURN TO IGNITION SIDE NOTHING HAPPENED AND IT'S SO HARD TO SEE REGULAR LIGHTS INCLUDING AIRBAG AND ENGINE LIGHT ETC. I ALMOST GOT G…

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MY CAR'S ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING 65 M/H IN THE FREEWAY AND REGULAR ROAD. ALSO I COULDN'T RE START MY CAR RIGHT A WAY. IT IS HAPPENING MORE WHEN IS HOT DAYS THAN COLD DAYS. WHEN I TURN TO IGNITION SIDE NOTHING HAPPENED AND IT'S SO HARD TO SEE REGULAR LIGHTS INCLUDING AIRBAG AND ENGINE LIGHT ETC. I ALMOST GOT GET INTO ACCIDENT COUPLE TIME DURING AT NIGHT CAUSE I WAS TRYING TO GET MY ENGINE TURN ON MIDDLE OF STREET. IF THIS WERE ONE OR TWO TIME INCIDENT I WOULDN'T REPORT BUT AS SUMMER IS GETTING CLOSER IT IS GETTING WORST. NOW I AM GETTING AFRAID OF WHEN I COULD GET HIT AND I CAN'T GET INTO FREEWAYS. PLEASE CHECK ON IT. I WILL TRY TO MAKE SOME KIND OF RECORDING.

NHTSA ODI #10871409

150,000 miles · May 21, 2016
Unknown Or Other

VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT. WILL RESTART AFTER A FEW MINUTES.

NHTSA ODI #10870168

100,000 miles · May 18, 2016
Structure

CLEAR COAT BEGAN PEELING BACK IN 2005 AND I DEALT WITH IT UNTIL 2007 AND HAD SOMEONE REPAINT THE ENTIRE CAR FOR $900. 8 YEARS LATER, THE SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING. MUST BE THE METAL THAT HONDA USED ON THEIR CARS. IT IS VERY ANNOYING TO SAY THE LEAST. I SEE IT ON SEVERAL HONDA ACCORDS FROM THE SAME GENERATION.

NHTSA ODI #10865583

148,000 miles · Apr 27, 2016
Electrical System

THE IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY. THE CAR WILL RUN AND SUDDENLY CUT OUT AND HAS DIFFICULTY STARTING. MOST OTHER MODELS OF ACCORDS MANUFACTURED IN THIS TIMEFRAME WERE COVERED UNDER AN IGNITION RECALL IN 2002. I OWNED A DIFFERENT ACCORD IN 2006 THAT WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD BY A HONDA DEALER MY PARTICULAR MO…

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THE IGNITION SWITCH IS FAULTY. THE CAR WILL RUN AND SUDDENLY CUT OUT AND HAS DIFFICULTY STARTING. MOST OTHER MODELS OF ACCORDS MANUFACTURED IN THIS TIMEFRAME WERE COVERED UNDER AN IGNITION RECALL IN 2002. I OWNED A DIFFERENT ACCORD IN 2006 THAT WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD BY A HONDA DEALER MY PARTICULAR MODEL IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10861701

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury

TAKATA RECALL, MY SON WAS TURNING ON NORTH COOK STREET AND WAS IN A CAR WRECK ANOTHER CAR. THE IMPACT WAS SO BAD BUT THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T EVEN COME OUT TO HELP HIM AS THEY WAS PUT IN THE CAR TO DO!

NHTSA ODI #10854591

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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