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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2002
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION THAT PUSHED ME INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION ALONG WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WE WERE BOTH STOPPED TURNING LEFT. UPON INPACT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I HAD SERVE BRUSING FROM THE SEATBELT. MY FRONT SELT (DRIVER SIDE) WAS BROKEN BECOUSE THE IMPACT …

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I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION THAT PUSHED ME INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION ALONG WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WE WERE BOTH STOPPED TURNING LEFT. UPON INPACT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I HAD SERVE BRUSING FROM THE SEATBELT. MY FRONT SELT (DRIVER SIDE) WAS BROKEN BECOUSE THE IMPACT WAS SO HARSH.*AK

NHTSA ODI #765188

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2002
Air BagsCrash

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WHILE SITTING AT LIGHT. ALSO, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8014907

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2002
Air BagsCrash

IN A FRONTAL COLLISION NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8014613

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2002
Air BagsInjury

WITHIN THREE TO FOUR MINUTES MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, CAUSING ME TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY, NOT REALIZING WHAT HAD HAPPENED THE CAR WAS FULL OF SMOKE FROM THE RELEASE OF THE AIRBAGS. RESULTED IN BURNING OF THE FACE.

NHTSA ODI #9005743

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2002
Air BagsCrash

WHILE DRIVING 60-65 AN AS A RESULT OF CRASH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8003561

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE STOPPING AT RED LIGHT VEHICLE WAS REARENDED AND PUSHED INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT. DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, CONSUMER HIT HEAD ON REARVIEW MIRROR. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8000633

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2001
Air BagsCrash

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION OF APPROXIMATELY 40-60 MPH, AND BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #898497

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury

CONSUMER WAS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HAD NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET.*AK

NHTSA ODI #896437

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH SPED UP TO PASS HER IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE OF THE HIGHWAY, LEAVING ONLY 10 TO 15 FEET CLEAREANCE, AND THEN SLAMMED ON BRAKES AS THE VEHICLE SOON PASSED THE CONSUMER, SHE THEN SWERVED TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH THE VEHICLE, AND LOST CONTROL, STRIKING THE CENTER GUARD RAIL …

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WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH SPED UP TO PASS HER IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE OF THE HIGHWAY, LEAVING ONLY 10 TO 15 FEET CLEAREANCE, AND THEN SLAMMED ON BRAKES AS THE VEHICLE SOON PASSED THE CONSUMER, SHE THEN SWERVED TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH THE VEHICLE, AND LOST CONTROL, STRIKING THE CENTER GUARD RAIL HEAD-ON IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.(ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF CLIENT)*JB

NHTSA ODI #562429

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2001
Air BagsCrash

ONCOMING VEHICLE MADE U-TURN RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO THEM @ 30MPH. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DESPITE HEAVY DAMAGE TO FRONT OF CAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #748234

Official recalls

4

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.

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

1

SQ98012 · 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.

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