IllustrationDRIVER'S DOOR MANUAL WINDOW REGULATOR BINDS FORCING WINDOW OUT OF TRACK. *TR
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
Visibility complaints
23 reportsTHE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE WINDOW HAS A HARD TIME OPENING AND CLOSING. SOMETIMES THE WINDOW WOULD GET STUCK WHILE IN OPERATION AND THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP WINDOW MOVING IS TO CONSTANTLY SWITCH THE WINDOW SWITCH BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN OPENING AND CLOSING. WORST IS WHEN THE WINDOW WOULD SLIP OUT OF ITS SLI…
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THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE WINDOW HAS A HARD TIME OPENING AND CLOSING. SOMETIMES THE WINDOW WOULD GET STUCK WHILE IN OPERATION AND THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP WINDOW MOVING IS TO CONSTANTLY SWITCH THE WINDOW SWITCH BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN OPENING AND CLOSING. WORST IS WHEN THE WINDOW WOULD SLIP OUT OF ITS SLIDING BRACKET. WHEN THIS HAPPENS,THE WINDOW IS TOTALLY STUCK AND THE DOOR HAS TO BE TAKEN APART SO THAT THE WINDOW CAN BE PUT BACK INTO ITS BRACKET. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. *NM
1998 HONDA CIVIC EX COUPE- GREAT CAR EXCEPT FOR THE POWER WINDOWS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THEM PROFESSIONALLY FIXED BECAUSE OF THE COST. THEY HAVE BEEN STUCK IN THE UP POSITION FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. THEY COME OFF TRACK IF I TRY TO ROLL THEM DOWN AND THE GLASS LITERALLY FALLS INTO THE DOOR. *JB
DRIVER WINDOW PULLEY SYSTEM BROKE, MY DAUGHTER'S REAR LEFT PASSENGER WINDOW SYSTEM BROKE AND WE HAVE THE SAME CAR PURCHASED AT THE SAME DEALER. PULLY. NLM
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT TURN OFF DUE TO A FAULTY SWITCH IN THE WIPER MOTOR. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *YH
A LOCAL NEW YORK STATE AND AAA APPROVED AUTO REPAIR SHOP HAS INFORMATION FROM A NATIONAL DATABASE "ALLDATA" , THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT PARK OR SHUT OFF IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN MY PARTICULAR HONDA YEAR AND MODEL. DURING A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF RAIN OR SPLASHING OF WATER FROM OTHER VEHICLES THE CONTINUING WIPERS SMUDGES THE W…
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A LOCAL NEW YORK STATE AND AAA APPROVED AUTO REPAIR SHOP HAS INFORMATION FROM A NATIONAL DATABASE "ALLDATA" , THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT PARK OR SHUT OFF IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN MY PARTICULAR HONDA YEAR AND MODEL. DURING A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF RAIN OR SPLASHING OF WATER FROM OTHER VEHICLES THE CONTINUING WIPERS SMUDGES THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING ALMOST ZERO VISIBILITY. FAULTY OPERATING WINDSHIELD WIPERS/MOTOR WILL NOT PASS NEW YORK STATE INSPECTION, THEREFORE NHTSA SHOULD CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND PROCEED WITH A RECALL.*AK
CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FOR TWO HOURS IN HOT SUN, REAR WINDOW BLEWOUT. *AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONTINUED OPERATING EVEN WHEN SWITCH WERE IN OFF MODE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY, AND NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER . *AK
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER NOTICED PIECES OF METAL COMING FROM CAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WENT OUT.*AK BLOWER MOTOR FOR VENTILATION FAN HAS FAILED TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR . CONSUMER REPLACED TWO BLOWER UNITS AT HIS COST. *YH
WHILE SITTING A STOP LIGHT REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED INTO A MILLION PIECES, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
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.