← New search

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
109,000 miles · Feb 16, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I COMPLETELY LOST BY BRAKES ON MY 98 HONDA CIVIC WITH NO WARNING. I LOST MY FRONT BRAKES AND REAR BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME AND MY FOOT COMPLETELY WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY RESISTANCE. I DOWN SHIFTED AND USED MY HAND BRAKE TO GET TO THE HONDA DEALER. THE HONDA DEALER CLEANED AND REPAIRED THE BRAKES (THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE…

Read full complaint

I COMPLETELY LOST BY BRAKES ON MY 98 HONDA CIVIC WITH NO WARNING. I LOST MY FRONT BRAKES AND REAR BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME AND MY FOOT COMPLETELY WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ANY RESISTANCE. I DOWN SHIFTED AND USED MY HAND BRAKE TO GET TO THE HONDA DEALER. THE HONDA DEALER CLEANED AND REPAIRED THE BRAKES (THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE BRAKES). THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY CAR ONLY HAS ONE MASTER CYLINDER. WHEN ONE OF THE PISTONS IN MY REAR BRAKE POPPED OUT, I LOST ALL 4 BRAKES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10182812

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…

Read full complaint

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

166,000 miles · Nov 30, 2006
Visibility

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 SLI…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #10174841

150,000 miles · Nov 30, 2006
Latches/locks/linkages

THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND WINDOW MECHANISM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE DOOR CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED WITH A KEY, WITH KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE OR FROM UNLOCK HANDLE ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE DOOR WILL NOT STAY UNLOCKED EVEN AFTER TURNING KEY IN KEY SLOT. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS TO INSERT KEY IN KEY SLOT, TUR…

Read full complaint

THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND WINDOW MECHANISM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE DOOR CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED WITH A KEY, WITH KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTE OR FROM UNLOCK HANDLE ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE DOOR WILL NOT STAY UNLOCKED EVEN AFTER TURNING KEY IN KEY SLOT. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS TO INSERT KEY IN KEY SLOT, TURN KEY AND PULL DOOR HANDLE AT THE SAME TIME. THE PASSENGER CAN NOT OPEN DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. WHEN OPENING OR CLOSING WINDOW, THE WINDOW WOULD GET STUCK. THE WINDOW SWITCH WOULD HAVE TO BE SWITCHED BETWEEN OPEN OR CLOSE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE WINDOW WILL CONTINUE MOVING. BOTH OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS ARE POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES. WHAT IF THE PASSENGER(S) NEED TO GET OUT DURING AN EMERGENCY? *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174840

88,021 miles · Jul 28, 2006
Electrical System

IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED CAR TO STOP RUNNING WHILE ON HIGHWAY. CAR WAS RECALLED SEVERAL YEARS AGO TO REPLACE FAULTY SWITCH. NEW ONE HAS SAME PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10163837

92,000 miles · Jun 15, 2006
Seat Belts

FAILURE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SAFETY BELT. IT WILL LATCH, BUT IF ONE PULLS ON THE BELT, THE LATCH DOES NOT HOLD. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10159917

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

59,000 miles · Nov 22, 2005
Power Train

I HAVE A HONDA CIVIC DX 1998, WITH 60000 MILES NOW PRESENTING WITH A FAILED TRANSMISSION. SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THAT VERY SAME COMPLAINT RESULTED IN NO PROBLEMS DETECTED WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM BEGAN TWO DAYS AFTER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY EXPIRED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10143503

91,891 miles · Oct 31, 2005
Air Bags

MY SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND I SAW A WEBSITE WERE MANY PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10141353

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.

Go deeper into Honda Civic problems