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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

435 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2023
Air Bags

1998 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO 20V-026. THE CONSUMER STATED HE IS STILL AWAITING PARTS FOR THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11503173

123,679 miles · Jul 29, 2022
Tires

The contact’s daughter owns a 1998 Honda Civic equipped with Continental tires, Tire Line: General Altimax RT43, Tire Size: 185/65/R14, DOT Number: 6Y6LWBLJ1221. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side front tire had a blowout. The contact stated that the tread and tire b…

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The contact’s daughter owns a 1998 Honda Civic equipped with Continental tires, Tire Line: General Altimax RT43, Tire Size: 185/65/R14, DOT Number: 6Y6LWBLJ1221. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side front tire had a blowout. The contact stated that the tread and tire belt had detached, causing the vehicle to drive on the driver’s side front rim. The contact replaced the driver’s side front tire with the spare tire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who inspected all four tires. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall for the tire. The failure mileage was approximately 123,679.

NHTSA ODI #11476478

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2021
Air BagsExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

FOR RECALL ON A 1998 HONDA CIVIC DX REPLACE AIR BAG ,FUEL TANKERS, IGNITION SWITCH,FLOOR MAT.

NHTSA ODI #11395799

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 HONDA CIVIC COUPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, WHEN SHE CRASHED INTO A TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED COLLARBONE, LEFT KNEE AND RIGHT SHOULDER WAS BRUISED. THE CONTACT DID SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR HER COLLARBONE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 HONDA CIVIC COUPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, WHEN SHE CRASHED INTO A TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED COLLARBONE, LEFT KNEE AND RIGHT SHOULDER WAS BRUISED. THE CONTACT DID SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR HER COLLARBONE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE TOWING COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE WAS LOSS. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) AND RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE BACK IN OCTOBER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11384123

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2020
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS C…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11363251

150,000 miles · Sep 13, 2020
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

WE WERE ON A CITY STREET, APPROACHED AN UNKNOWN DIP IN THE ROAD. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE HEADLINER IS SHREDDED. THERE IS NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER, FENDERS OR HOOD. THE SRS SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON. THE DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK FROM THE FOB. THE SEATBELTS DO APPEAR TO BE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. I HAVE WAITED FOR THE RECALL…

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WE WERE ON A CITY STREET, APPROACHED AN UNKNOWN DIP IN THE ROAD. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE HEADLINER IS SHREDDED. THERE IS NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER, FENDERS OR HOOD. THE SRS SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON. THE DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK FROM THE FOB. THE SEATBELTS DO APPEAR TO BE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. I HAVE WAITED FOR THE RECALL TO INCLUDE 98'S KNOWING THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE INCLUDED BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO MINE. I DON'T HAVE PICTURES AT THIS TIME BUT WILL PROVIDE.

NHTSA ODI #11354740

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2020
Air Bags

I RECEIVED THIS RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH ATTACHED, ON MY HONDA CIVIC THAT IS IN EVERYDAY USE AND HAS 160000 MILES ON IT. VIN [XXX], NHTSA RECALL 20V-02600 I CREATED A CASE #[XXX] WITH HONDA AND ATTEMPTED TO HAVE UPDATED INFO ON RECALL REPAIR. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 6 MONTHS SINCE RECALL ANNOUNCED. WITH MULTIPLE CALLS TO HONDA…

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I RECEIVED THIS RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH ATTACHED, ON MY HONDA CIVIC THAT IS IN EVERYDAY USE AND HAS 160000 MILES ON IT. VIN [XXX], NHTSA RECALL 20V-02600 I CREATED A CASE #[XXX] WITH HONDA AND ATTEMPTED TO HAVE UPDATED INFO ON RECALL REPAIR. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 6 MONTHS SINCE RECALL ANNOUNCED. WITH MULTIPLE CALLS TO HONDA REGARDING THE CASE, I FEEL THAT HONDA IS NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO 1998 VEHICLE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH IT IS VERY MUCH IN USE. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY SPECIFIC TIME FRAME FOR REPLACEMENT AIRBAG. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY WHILE DRIVING IT. I AM WRITING TO YOU AS I WAS ADVISED TO BRING IT UP TO NHTSA FOR SPEEDY RESOLUTION. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11351190

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2020
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS C…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB

NHTSA ODI #11343163

140,000 miles · Jul 11, 2020
Air Bags

NO FIX AVAILABLE FOR RECALL ON DRIVERS AIR BAG AND SRS LIGHT ON DUE TO DRIVERS AIRBAG

NHTSA ODI #11338826

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2020
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HONDA CITY (501 GRUMMAN RD W, BET…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HONDA CITY (501 GRUMMAN RD W, BETHPAGE, NY 11714 (516) 717-4766) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE REMEDY PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11329052

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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