IllustrationWHILE 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
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
What owners actually said
435 reportsDUE TO A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SLIPS WHILE DRIVING WHICH CAUSES RPMS TO GO UP. THIS MAY CAUSE A CRASH. DEALER SAID THEY NEED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. 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
WHILE I WAS DRIVING TREAD OF THE TIRE PEELED OFF, CAUSING BODY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE (THE SIDE PANEL AND BUMPER).*AK( DOT NUMBER: W27J TIRE SIZE: P185/65R14 )
NO SUMMARY
I BEGAN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED ON AUGUST 14, 2000. BY TODAY, AUGUST 18TH, THE HONDA DEALER HAD MENTIONED TO THE REPAIR SHOP THAT IAM HAVING THE WORK DONE AT THAT THEY HAD ORDERED 6 OF THESE MANIFOLDS. ON MONDAY WHEN I HAD CALLED THE DEALER FOR PARTS, THEY DID NOT HAVE THE MANIFOLD IN STOCK. I BELIVE THAT THIS …
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I BEGAN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED ON AUGUST 14, 2000. BY TODAY, AUGUST 18TH, THE HONDA DEALER HAD MENTIONED TO THE REPAIR SHOP THAT IAM HAVING THE WORK DONE AT THAT THEY HAD ORDERED 6 OF THESE MANIFOLDS. ON MONDAY WHEN I HAD CALLED THE DEALER FOR PARTS, THEY DID NOT HAVE THE MANIFOLD IN STOCK. I BELIVE THAT THIS COULD BE A SIGN OF A MAJOR DEFECT. ALTHOUGH IT DOES NOT DIRECTLY POSE A THREAT TO ME PHYSICALLY, IT COULD ALLOW EXHUAUST FUMES INTO THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO PRESUE THE MANUFACTURE AND ATTEMPT TO HAVE THEM REPLACE THE PART.
THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND SPLITED THE FRONT FENDER OFF THE CAR WHILE MY CAR WAS PARKED ON MY LOT( DOT NUMBER: VN7JMNH357 TIRE SIZE: P185/65R14 )
CONSUMER RECIEVED AUTHORIZATION TO HAVE AIR BAG ON/OFF SWITH INSTALLED BUT THE DEALER LOST THE FORM AND HAS DELAYED THE REPAIR. NLM
REAR LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE SEATBELT BUCKLE WILL BECOME UNDONE, CAUSING CSS TO BECOME LOOSE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF PROTECTION. *AK
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 50MPH ON HIGHWAY, AND THERE WAS A STALLED CAR IN FRONT OF HER. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS OR ANYYTHING SHOWING. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT OTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, AND DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *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.