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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.

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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
67,200 miles · Oct 15, 2002
Power TrainCrashInjury

THE OWNER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HESITATION WITH POSSIBLE CAUSE BEING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE OWNER DID KEEP THE CAR SERVICED/MAINTENANCE WITH THE LAST ITEM BEING A TUNE-UP. LIBERTY HONDA HAS BEEN PERFORMING ANY AND ALL MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN DUE TO THE TRANSMISSIONS' PERFORMANCE.…

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THE OWNER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HESITATION WITH POSSIBLE CAUSE BEING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE OWNER DID KEEP THE CAR SERVICED/MAINTENANCE WITH THE LAST ITEM BEING A TUNE-UP. LIBERTY HONDA HAS BEEN PERFORMING ANY AND ALL MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN DUE TO THE TRANSMISSIONS' PERFORMANCE. MR CONSUMER FELT DEALERSHIP USED DIRTY TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH MAY HAVE RUINED THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED HESITATION AND WANTED TO CHARGE CONSUMER $4000 TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THE 2 ACCIDENTS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN CAUSED THE HESITATION. VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AT A LOWER COST TO CONSUMER. *TT

NHTSA ODI #8020791

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND HIT THE CURB AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR

NHTSA ODI #8020738

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2002
Equipment

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FACE OF THE RADIO CAN GET EXTREMELY HOT WHILE THE CONSUMER IS DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER. MR

NHTSA ODI #8020603

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2002
Power Train

TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ON 2000 + FAILED AGAIN (INTERNAL FAILURE) ON 2002. MR

NHTSA ODI #768211

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2002
Power Train

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED THERE IS A DEFECT IN TRANSMISSION. *MR

NHTSA ODI #8020233

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2002
Electrical System

CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS COMPLETED, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. DEALER REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBLILTY FOR THE PROBLEM. *MR

NHTSA ODI #8020176

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2002
Electrical System

MFR# 02-031 & NHTSA# 02 V 120 000/IGNITION SWITCH: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER, DOBBS HONDA IN MEMPHIS, TN. PHONE# 901/795-5900 WANT TO CHARGE TO RECONNECT THE ALARM AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM

NHTSA ODI #8019925

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2002
Electrical System

CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING TO REMOVE AND REPLACE ALARM SYSTEM THAT CAME WITH VEHICLE,WHEN PURCHASED. NLM

NHTSA ODI #8019917

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2002
Electrical System

MFR# 02-031 & NHTSA# 02 V 120 000/IGNITION SWITCH: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER, D&C HONDA IN TENAFLY, NJ. PHONE# 201/569-5515 UNABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL DEC 2002. RECALL NOTICE STATES WITHIN 60 DAYS. NLM

NHTSA ODI #8019891

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2002
Electrical System

MFR# 02-031 & NHTSA# 02 V 120 000/IGINITION SWITCH: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER, ANDERSON HONDA IN BALTIMORE, MD. PHONE# 410/243--7000 WANT TO CHARGE CONSUMER TO RECONNECT THE ALARM AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. NLM

NHTSA ODI #8019888

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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