IllustrationDRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS STAYING ON WHEN CAR WAS IN AND OUT OF WARRANTY. WHILE CAR WAS IN WARRANTY THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS RESET. I COUPLE MONTHS LATER WHEN THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON, RESULTING IN REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE AIR BAG UNIT, AT MY EXPENSE. *LA
1998 Honda Civic
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Civic years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Honda Civic are substantially higher than the model-year median of 183.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Civic years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
110–25K
925–50K
2150–75K
1775–100K
22100–150K
33150K+
113 reports with mileage · 322 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 96 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
81 crash reports3 fire reports44 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
96 reportsI OWN A 1998 HONDA CIVIC LX, AND THE SRS LIGHT ON. IT COST ME 64.00 TO TELL ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP SAID IF GOES ON AGAIN THEY WILL REPLACE THE COMPUTER CHIP AND WILL COST $500.00 TO $700.00 TO DO THAT. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S CAUSING IT. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH HONDA'S …
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I OWN A 1998 HONDA CIVIC LX, AND THE SRS LIGHT ON. IT COST ME 64.00 TO TELL ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE HONDA DEALERSHIP SAID IF GOES ON AGAIN THEY WILL REPLACE THE COMPUTER CHIP AND WILL COST $500.00 TO $700.00 TO DO THAT. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S CAUSING IT. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH HONDA'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS HONDA IS NOT TAKING THE BLAME FOR IT. HOW SAFE IS IT FOR ME TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH KNOWING THE AIRBAGS WON'T GO OFF? I FEEL THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION DRIVING MY CAR, KNOWING THE LIGHT CAN BE SET OFF AT ANY TIME, AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO IDEA WHAT'S CAUSING THIS? I'M A LITTLE SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE HONDA DEALERSHIP. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS, MANY PEOPLE SEEM TO BE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *LA
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH VEHICLE WENT OVER A DIP IN THE ROAD. THIS RESULTED IN BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYING. DRIVER SUSTAINED HAND BRUISES AND BURNS FROM THE CONTENTS IN THE AIR BAGS AND WHEN IT DEPLOYED. ALSO, AIR BAGS CRACKED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE FOUND CURRENTLY AT A BODY SHOP. *AK
BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR COLLISION. *PH *SC
IN A SEVERE HEAD-ON CRASH THAT TOTALED MY 1998 HONDA CIVIC EX BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE, BODY SHOP AND OTHER WITNESSES ALONG WITH THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT GUIDE PROVIDED WITH THE VEHICLE, THE CRASH FIT THE EXACT DESCRIPTION AND CRITERIA OF ONE WHERE THE AIRBAGS SHOULD DE…
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IN A SEVERE HEAD-ON CRASH THAT TOTALED MY 1998 HONDA CIVIC EX BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE, BODY SHOP AND OTHER WITNESSES ALONG WITH THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT GUIDE PROVIDED WITH THE VEHICLE, THE CRASH FIT THE EXACT DESCRIPTION AND CRITERIA OF ONE WHERE THE AIRBAGS SHOULD DEPLOY. IN INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, I CAME ACROSS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM (DATED OCTOBER 97 - 3 MONTHS BEFORE I LEASED THE CAR) I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION FOR THE VEHICLE AND CAN FIND NO REFERENCE TO EITHER THIS RECALL BEING PERFORMED NOR RECEIVING NOTICE OF SAID RECALL. *JB
WHILE TURNING LEFT AT 15 MPH, RED LIGHT RUNNER MOVING AT 40+ MPH HIT THE LEFT DRIVER SIDE OF CAR, TURNING IT COMPLETELY AROUND CAUSING SUBSTANCIAL FRONT END DAMAGE ($5000+). DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED SLIGHT INJURIES WHILE NO AIRBAG(S) DEPLOYED.*AK
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHERE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NLM
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 35MPH AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH
Official recalls
420V026000 · 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.
07V512000 · Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly
Nov 1, 2007
ON CERTAIN COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES, IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE INTERIOR FIRE IN THE AREA OF THE REAR SEAT, THE CNG TANK MAY BE HEATED UNEVENLY, PREVENTING THE PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICE FROM VENTING THE CONTENTS OF THE TANK AS DESIGNED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A TANK RUPTURE, EXPLOSION, AND EJECTION OF THE TANK FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEAT INSULATOR MATERIAL TO THE REAR SEAT BACK. AN INTERIM OWNER LETTER WAS MAILED TO OWNERS BEGINNING NOVEMBER 26, 2007. WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE RENOTIFIED ASKING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
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.
97V193000 · Air Bags:frontal
Nov 1, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED. THE CLOTH FLAPS COVERING THE FOLDED AIR BAG MAY HAVE BEEN TUCKED IN TOO FAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. IN A CRASH, AN IMPROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG MODULE TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING.
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
1SQ98012 · Condenser Fan Motor Inoperative
Opened Jun 30, 1998 · Closed Nov 2, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner
SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.