IllustrationCONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FOR IGNITION. DEALER WAS CHARGING TO PUT ALARM BACK ON VEHICLE. CONSUMER FELT SHE SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH. *AK
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
Electrical System complaints
88 reportsMY CAR WAS REPAIRED ON 8/16/2001 FOR A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH AND COIL WHICH CAUSED THE IGNITER TO SHORT OUT AND MY CAR TO SUDDENLY STALL ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR IS NOT LISTED AS A RECALLED VECHILE, BUT OTHER HONDA CIVICS AND MODEL ARE. I WOULD LIKE A REPRESENTATIVE TO REVIEW MY CASE FOR A RECALL ON 1998 HONDA CIVIC EX MODELS FO…
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MY CAR WAS REPAIRED ON 8/16/2001 FOR A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH AND COIL WHICH CAUSED THE IGNITER TO SHORT OUT AND MY CAR TO SUDDENLY STALL ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR IS NOT LISTED AS A RECALLED VECHILE, BUT OTHER HONDA CIVICS AND MODEL ARE. I WOULD LIKE A REPRESENTATIVE TO REVIEW MY CASE FOR A RECALL ON 1998 HONDA CIVIC EX MODELS FOR THIS RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA WITH THE SAME INFORMATION.
CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT VEHICLE ALARM BE DISCONNECTED FREE OF CHARGE IN ORDER TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE/RECALLED IGNITION SWITCH. *TT
CONSUMER STATED AFTER HAVING THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED DONE ON THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE REMOTE STARTER WAS NO LONGER WORKING, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED THE RECALL, THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE IF IT DID NOT WORK AFTER FIXING THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS LEFT WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR 4 HOURS TO HAVE THE R…
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CONSUMER STATED AFTER HAVING THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED DONE ON THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE REMOTE STARTER WAS NO LONGER WORKING, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED THE RECALL, THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE IF IT DID NOT WORK AFTER FIXING THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS LEFT WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR 4 HOURS TO HAVE THE REMOTE STARTER RECONNECTED FOR AT A COST OF 60 DOLLARS, BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP HAD DESTROYED ALL OF THE WIRES.*JB
PROBLEMS ARE THE RESULT OF DEALER REPAIR, NHTSA RECALL 02VRO (IGNITION SWITCH). *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****770756***
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE HONDA DEALER THAT WILL CHARGE $45.00 FOR THE NON-FACTORY ALARM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
CONSUMER STATES THAT IT WILL BE HARD TO START THE VEHICLE AND THEY WILL HAVE TO TRY NUMEROUS OF TIME BEFORE THE VEHICLE WILL START. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STALLED. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC I SPENT $300.00 IN PARTS BAD IGNITER AND COIL A MONTH LATER SAME PROBLEM. BUT ONLY THIS TIME THE CAR DID NOT START IN THE MORNING WAS TOLD MAYBE BAD IGNITION SWITCH OR DISTRIBUTOR. DT
THE CONSUMER RECIEVED AN INGNITION SWITCH RECALL; NHTSA# 02V120000. THERE WAS NO CHARGE IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INGITION SWITCH, BUT DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE IGNITION REPLACEMENT THE VEHICLES BURGLAR ALARM HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED AND WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE ALARM COMPANY TO HAVE THE ALARM RE-CONNECTED. T…
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THE CONSUMER RECIEVED AN INGNITION SWITCH RECALL; NHTSA# 02V120000. THERE WAS NO CHARGE IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE INGITION SWITCH, BUT DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE IGNITION REPLACEMENT THE VEHICLES BURGLAR ALARM HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED AND WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE ALARM COMPANY TO HAVE THE ALARM RE-CONNECTED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY 35.00 DOLLARS TO HAVE THE ALARM RECONNECTED AND FEELS THAT HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AMOUNT, BECAUSE THE ALARM WAS WORKING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN. THE CONSUMER SEEKS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS AMOUNT. *SCC *NLM
NO PARTS AVAILABLE:::::: THE CONSUMER RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE FOR A IGNITION SWITCH PACIFIC HONDA 4697 CONVOY STREET SAN DIEGO 858 694 1020 DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
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.