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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

53 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 12, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS PART HAS CRACKED. I HAD IT REPLACED TWICE ALREADY AT THE DEALERSHIP- THEY DID NOT COVER THE PART UNDER WARRANTY AND I PAID $1000 EACH TIME TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I TRIED TO CONTACT AMERICAN HONDA AND THEY REFUSED TO COMPE…

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I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS PART HAS CRACKED. I HAD IT REPLACED TWICE ALREADY AT THE DEALERSHIP- THEY DID NOT COVER THE PART UNDER WARRANTY AND I PAID $1000 EACH TIME TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I TRIED TO CONTACT AMERICAN HONDA AND THEY REFUSED TO COMPENSATE ME FOR IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400698

90,891 miles · Sep 15, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN MY 1998 HONDA CIVIC WAS AT 90,891 MILES, THE HONDA DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WAS ABOUT $1000. ONLY 2 YEARS LATER, THEY TOLD ME THE NEW EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THIS REPLACEM…

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WHEN MY 1998 HONDA CIVIC WAS AT 90,891 MILES, THE HONDA DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WAS ABOUT $1000. ONLY 2 YEARS LATER, THEY TOLD ME THE NEW EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THIS REPLACEMENT PART SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER BUT HE WAS UNWILLING TO STAND BEHIND THIS REPAIR AND CHARGED ME ANOTHER $1000 TO REPAIR IT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355765

180,000 miles · Jul 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 98 HONDA CIVIC LX, IT SEEMS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON THESE CARS ARE DEFECTIVE THEY CRACK AND THE GAS EMISSIONS ARE CIRCULATED TO THE CABIN OF THE AUTOMOBILE. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD SHOULD NOT CRACK ON NORMAL USE. CARBON MONOXIDE CO COULD LEAK TO THE CABIN OF THE CAR, AND IS POISONOUS TO HUMANS AND CHILDREN. THERE ARE …

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I HAVE A 98 HONDA CIVIC LX, IT SEEMS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON THESE CARS ARE DEFECTIVE THEY CRACK AND THE GAS EMISSIONS ARE CIRCULATED TO THE CABIN OF THE AUTOMOBILE. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD SHOULD NOT CRACK ON NORMAL USE. CARBON MONOXIDE CO COULD LEAK TO THE CABIN OF THE CAR, AND IS POISONOUS TO HUMANS AND CHILDREN. THERE ARE A LOT OF HONDA CIVICS OUT HERE WITH CRACK EXHAUST MANIFOLD, IT IS HARD TO FIND THE CULPRIT, BECAUSE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS COVERED WITH A METAL COVER, BUT YOU WILL NOTICE THE SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE CAR, WHEN THE CAR IS AT RUNNING. THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE ON THIS DEFECTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343200

130,000 miles · Dec 27, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAVE A BIG CRACK CAUSING A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND EXHAUST FUMES TO MIGRATE TO THE CABIN SINCE IT IS IN FRONT OF THE CAR. HONDA HAVE AN EXISTING SERVICE BULLETIN 98-081 THAT ONLY COVERS 96-97 CIVICS AND NOT 1998 MODELS BUT THEY DID NOT DO THE RE-DESIGN UNTIL 99. IT IS A WELL KNOWN FLAW BUT HONDA DOES NOT HAVE A…

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EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAVE A BIG CRACK CAUSING A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND EXHAUST FUMES TO MIGRATE TO THE CABIN SINCE IT IS IN FRONT OF THE CAR. HONDA HAVE AN EXISTING SERVICE BULLETIN 98-081 THAT ONLY COVERS 96-97 CIVICS AND NOT 1998 MODELS BUT THEY DID NOT DO THE RE-DESIGN UNTIL 99. IT IS A WELL KNOWN FLAW BUT HONDA DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212911

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

O 2 SENSOR/ EXHAUST CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM ON MY 1998 HONDA CIVIC LX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10205881

152,000 miles · Sep 6, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

YEAR 2003: 1 O2 SENSOR REPLACED YEAR 2007: ENGINE LIGHT ON. WAS INFORMED DUE TO OXYGEN O2 SENSOR BAD AND ALSO A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. CAR ACTS LIKE IT WILL STALL WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT. I AM VERY CONCERNED. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, ONLY SOME HONDA CIVICS WITH A PARTICULAR VIN # QUALIFY FOR REPLACEMENT OF OXYGEN/O2 SEN…

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YEAR 2003: 1 O2 SENSOR REPLACED YEAR 2007: ENGINE LIGHT ON. WAS INFORMED DUE TO OXYGEN O2 SENSOR BAD AND ALSO A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. CAR ACTS LIKE IT WILL STALL WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT. I AM VERY CONCERNED. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, ONLY SOME HONDA CIVICS WITH A PARTICULAR VIN # QUALIFY FOR REPLACEMENT OF OXYGEN/O2 SENSOR AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THEY STATED THAT MINE DID NOT (ONLY UP TO 1997 QUALIFY) AND THERE IS NO RECALL FOR 1998. ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET, THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR 1998 HONDA CIVICS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10202084

158,000 miles · Aug 17, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE MANIFOLD EXHAUST CRACKED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANIFOLD EXHAUST WAS REPLACED BEFORE AT 158,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 198,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000. UPDATED 10/30/…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE MANIFOLD EXHAUST CRACKED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANIFOLD EXHAUST WAS REPLACED BEFORE AT 158,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 198,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000. UPDATED 10/30/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10199941

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

DISTRIBUTOR FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ENGINE POWER. I COASTED TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10181699

59,827 miles · Jan 24, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

HAD TAKEN CAR TO GET INSPECTION. WOULD NOT PASS DUE TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAVING A CRACK IN. THIS CAR HAD 59827 MILES ON IT! NATURALLY I WAS VERY UPSET. THIS CAR WAS ONLY USED MINIMALLY AS WITNESSED BY THE YEAR VS MILES. HARDLY ANY HWY USE. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY PUT UP THEIR HANDS. CAN'T FIX BECAUSE I D…

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HAD TAKEN CAR TO GET INSPECTION. WOULD NOT PASS DUE TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAVING A CRACK IN. THIS CAR HAD 59827 MILES ON IT! NATURALLY I WAS VERY UPSET. THIS CAR WAS ONLY USED MINIMALLY AS WITNESSED BY THE YEAR VS MILES. HARDLY ANY HWY USE. CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY PUT UP THEIR HANDS. CAN'T FIX BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE $ 2,000. CAR WILL NOT PASS INSP. DUE TO STRICT CODES IN TEXAS. I NOW HAVE MY FIFTH HONDA. HONDA JUST DROPPED THE BIG ONE ON A LOYAL CUST.!!!!!!! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10180656

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH LEADS TO EXHAUST GASES BEING BLOWN INTO THE CAR WHEN IN TRAFFIC OR AT IDLE. THESE GASES CREATE A DANGER OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10155551

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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