IllustrationFAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SAFETY BELT. IT WILL LATCH, BUT IF ONE PULLS ON THE BELT, THE LATCH DOES NOT HOLD. *NM
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
Seat Belts complaints
10 reportsTHERE IS NO SEATBELT EXTENDER AVAILABLE FOR MY HONDA CIVIC--I HAVE BEEN STOPPED AND GIVEN A WARNING--THE NEXT IS A 150.00 TICKET--I HAVE 5 HONDA CARS...I NEED A SEATBELT EXTENDER--SEATBELTS ARE THE LAW IN THIS STATE AND SURROUNDING STATES.
THE FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT DOES NOT ALWAYS SECURELY "LATCH" INTO THE BUCKLE. WITHIN THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, THE SEATBELT HAS "UNLATCHED" WITHOUT WARNING ON THE PERSON SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I'VE FIGURED OUT THAT AFTER INSERTING THE SAFETY BELT INTO THE BUCKLE, IT'LL "STAY SECURE" IF I PUSH DOWN ON IT ONE MO…
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THE FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT DOES NOT ALWAYS SECURELY "LATCH" INTO THE BUCKLE. WITHIN THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, THE SEATBELT HAS "UNLATCHED" WITHOUT WARNING ON THE PERSON SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I'VE FIGURED OUT THAT AFTER INSERTING THE SAFETY BELT INTO THE BUCKLE, IT'LL "STAY SECURE" IF I PUSH DOWN ON IT ONE MORE TIME UNTIL I HEAR A SOLID CLICK. I HAVE NOT HAD TO DO THIS IN THE PAST, BUT I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR ANY PASSENGERS THAT MAY BE SEATED IN MY CAR WHILE IN MOTION. THOSE UNAWARE OF THE "DOUBLE CLICK" TRICK (TO GET IT "SAFELY SECURED") ARE DEFINITELY AT THE HIGHEST RISK OF INJURY...THEY ASSUME THAT WHEN THEY INSERT THE SAFETY BELT INTO THE BUCKLE (AND HEAR THE INITIAL CLICK) THEY ARE APPROPRIATELY PROTECTED BY THE SEAT BELT. HOWEVER, SEVERAL PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN ALARMINGLY SURPRISED TO HAVE THEIR SEATBELT "AUTOMATICALLY" UNLATCH ITSELF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION! ALTHOUGH THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR EVERY TIME THE BELT IS INSERTED INTO THE BUCKLE, IT STILL CAUSES ME GREAT CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF THOSE SITTING IN THAT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT!*AK
FRONT LAP SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AFTER RELEASING BUCKETS. BELTS HANG LOOSE ALONG SIDE OUTER SEAT AREA DOOR. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT WHEN UNBUCKLED. RATCHET MECHANISM SEEMS FLIMSY.*AK
REAR LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE SEATBELT BUCKLE WILL BECOME UNDONE, CAUSING CSS TO BECOME LOOSE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF PROTECTION. *AK
REAR SEAT BELT DOES NOT TIGHTEN UP WHEN THE BELT IS ACTIVATED. ALSO, BOLT THAT HOLDS THE SEAT IN PLACE FAILED WHEN CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS PLACED IN THE REAR SEAT. SEAT BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE, AND HAS FAILED AGAIN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *ML
SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE GETS TIGHTER AND TIGHTER ON THE OCCUPANT FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. THIS IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELTS IN THE REAR. THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *AK
DAUGHTER INVOLVED IN HEAD-ON COLLISION. ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT, HIT BY ONCOMING CAR GOING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH. WEARING SEATBELT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT SEAT BELT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY, WAS FLUNG INTO PASSENGER'S SIDE OF CAR. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, NEITHER STRIKING HER. WAS FLUNG BACK TO DRIVERS SIDE OF CAR. …
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DAUGHTER INVOLVED IN HEAD-ON COLLISION. ATTEMPTING TO TURN LEFT, HIT BY ONCOMING CAR GOING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH. WEARING SEATBELT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT SEAT BELT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY, WAS FLUNG INTO PASSENGER'S SIDE OF CAR. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, NEITHER STRIKING HER. WAS FLUNG BACK TO DRIVERS SIDE OF CAR. AMBULANCED TO HOSPITAL WITH A FRACTURED LEFT RADIUS, SEVERELY DISPLACED FRACTURE OF LEFT CLAVICLE AND SCRAPES AND CONTUSIONS TO LEFT KNEE. 3/25/99 WRIST FRACTURE HAS HEALED, CLAVICLE STILL NOT HEALED AND NEITHER IS KNEE. CAR TOTALLED. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY SEATBELT DID NOT WORK. I AM HOWEVER VERY GRATEFUL THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT MORE SERIOUSLY INJURED. I WOULD GRATEFULLY APPRECIATE SOME KIND OF RESPONSE FROM MY COMPLAINT. HOW CAN I GET A RESPONSE FROM HONDA?
VEHICLE STRUCK REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, BRAKES WERE LOCKED AT 40 MPH, SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK,ALLOWING DRIVERS FACE TO HIT STEERING WHEEL, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, HONDA CONTACTED, AND HAS SHOWN NO INTEREST IN INVESTIGATING OR CHECKING THE CAR. STATED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED, AND IF ANYTHING WAS WRONG, THEY…
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VEHICLE STRUCK REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, BRAKES WERE LOCKED AT 40 MPH, SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK,ALLOWING DRIVERS FACE TO HIT STEERING WHEEL, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, HONDA CONTACTED, AND HAS SHOWN NO INTEREST IN INVESTIGATING OR CHECKING THE CAR. STATED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED, AND IF ANYTHING WAS WRONG, THEY WOULD REPLACE PARTS.
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.