IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE NEAR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS CRACKED. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAGS WERE EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.
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
Structure complaints
26 reportsDRIVING AT 55 MPH A FORD FOCUS PULLED STRAIGHT OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND CAME TO A STOP. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 1 CAR LENGTH AWAY WHEN THEY DID THIS SO I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO STOP AND COULD NOT PULL OUT AROUND THEM BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I T-BONED THIS VEHICLE DOING 55 MPH AND THEY WERE STOPPED. MY FRONT END…
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DRIVING AT 55 MPH A FORD FOCUS PULLED STRAIGHT OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND CAME TO A STOP. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 1 CAR LENGTH AWAY WHEN THEY DID THIS SO I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO STOP AND COULD NOT PULL OUT AROUND THEM BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I T-BONED THIS VEHICLE DOING 55 MPH AND THEY WERE STOPPED. MY FRONT END HIT DIRECTLY ON THEIR FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. THEIR FRONT LEFT FENDER AND TIRE WERE BENT IN AND BOTH OF THEIR FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MY WHOLE FRONT END WAS CRUSHED IN AND THE CENTER OF MY HOOD LOOKED LIKE I HIT A TREE. NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. IF I HAD NOT BEEN WEARING MY SEAT BELT I WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE SERIOUSLY INJURED THAN I WAS. WHERE ARE THE SENSORS FOR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT? SHOULDN'T MINE HAVE DEPLOYED? *TR
ON MAY 20, 2011, AROUND 5:45 -6:00 IN THE MORNING. I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-95 NEAR THE REST AREA IN GLYNN COUNTY JUST A LITTLE AFTER EXITS 42. IT APPEARED THAT I HAD RAN OVER A SEMI-TRUCK TIRE THAT WAS IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE. IT WAS LATER CONFIRM AFTER GETTING A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE REST AREA A SEMI-TRUCK WAS ON THE SIDE OF TH…
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ON MAY 20, 2011, AROUND 5:45 -6:00 IN THE MORNING. I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-95 NEAR THE REST AREA IN GLYNN COUNTY JUST A LITTLE AFTER EXITS 42. IT APPEARED THAT I HAD RAN OVER A SEMI-TRUCK TIRE THAT WAS IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE. IT WAS LATER CONFIRM AFTER GETTING A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE REST AREA A SEMI-TRUCK WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD GETTING A TIRE REPLACE BY AN TOWING COMPANY. WHILE ON MY LUNCH BREAK I NOTICE THE LEFT DRIVERS OF MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN DAMAGE DUE THE OBJECT IN THE ROAD THIS MORNING. *TR
BOTH REAR DOORS ARE INACCESSIBLE FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR APPROX. 1 MONTH AGO. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE IS WITH THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR < 1 WEEK AGO. *TR
THE PAINT ON MY 98 CIVIC IS FADING....THERE ARE "WHITE CHALKY PATCHES" ALL OVER THE HOOD. IT LOOKS ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE; THE DELAMINATION DEFECT IS QUITE OBVIOUS. SUNLIGHT FADES THE PAINT! *JB
REAR TRUNK LID WILL NOT STAY OPEN IF VEHICLE IS ON AN INCLINE, ON ONE OCCASION CONSUMER OPENED THE TRUNK LID, BENT OVER AND REACHED INSIDE THE TRUNK, THE LID CAME DOWN ON HIS HEAD INJURYING HIM. *SLC
WHILE OPENING TRUCK LID FALLS IMMEDIATELY ON OCCUPANT WHICH MAY CAUSE INJURIES. HONDA SAID IT'S A POOR DESIGN OF TRUCK. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
I HAD THE BUMPER REPLACED BY HONDA OF HOLLYWOOD THROUGH THE OTHER PARTYS INSURANCE, HOWEVER IT TOOK ALMOST 2MONTHS TO HAVE DONE BECAUSE THEY WERE GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND. I HAD THE BUMPER REPLACED 9/11/00 AND RICHARD IN THE HOLLYWOOD HONDA AUTOBODY SHOP TELLS ME THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN OPENING WHERE THE BUMPER AND BODY OF THE …
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I HAD THE BUMPER REPLACED BY HONDA OF HOLLYWOOD THROUGH THE OTHER PARTYS INSURANCE, HOWEVER IT TOOK ALMOST 2MONTHS TO HAVE DONE BECAUSE THEY WERE GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND. I HAD THE BUMPER REPLACED 9/11/00 AND RICHARD IN THE HOLLYWOOD HONDA AUTOBODY SHOP TELLS ME THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN OPENING WHERE THE BUMPER AND BODY OF THE CAR MEET. I TOLD HIM WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR IT WAS LIKE THAT THE TWO MET CLOSELY AND NOW HE IS TRYING TO CONVINCE ME THAT ITS WAS NEVER LIKE THAT AND TO LOOK AT ALL THE OTHER HONDAS THEY ARE NOT CLOSE TOGETHER. AT THIS POINT 2 MONTHS OF BEING DUMPED ON, THE FARMERS INSURANCE ADJUSTER FROM THE GUILTY PARTY MADE A DEAL WITH RICHARD FROM MY INITIAL PRECISE ESTIMATE OF $895.00 TO HONDA'S $413.00 AND THE BUMPER IS WORSE OFF. I NEED A LAWYER CAN SOMEONE HELP ME OUT? *AK
RIGHT FRONT FENDER EDGE NEXT TO FRONT EDGE OF THE DOOR PUSHES IN DURING NORMAL USE, THIS HAS BENT THE FENDER AND INTERFACING FROM NORMAL OPENING OF THE DOOR. YH
AIR LEAKAGE INTO STRUCTURE DUE TO POSSIBLE ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS ALONG FRONT BUMPER/HOOD ENCLOSURE, CAUSING POLLUTANTS TO ENTER VEHICLE AND CONSUMER DISCOMFORT (HEADACHE). MJS
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.