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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
173,000 miles · Dec 10, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE NEAR THE STEERING WHEEL WAS CRACKED. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAGS WERE EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

NHTSA ODI #10663291

164,000 miles · Nov 2, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

THE IMPACT WAS AT ABOUT 37 MPH, THE IMPACT WAS IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR, THE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAGS TO OPEN AT THE TIME OF THE IMPACT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651952

96,702 miles · Oct 17, 2014
EngineSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,702.

NHTSA ODI #10648308

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2014
Electrical System

MY CAR STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. SPEED DOESN'T MATTER. ALL DASH LIGHTS GO OUT. HEADLIGHTS BARELY LIGHT AT NIGHT WHEN IT OCCURS. YOU LOSE ALL POWER. ONE DAY IT MIGHT DO IT 4 TIMES, THE NEXT IT MIGHT NOT DO IT ALL. IF YOU TURN THE KEY OFF AND TRY STARTING IT AGAIN SOMETIMES IT STARTS RIGHT UP, OTHER TIMES YOU MIGHT HAVE TO SIT FOR A…

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MY CAR STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. SPEED DOESN'T MATTER. ALL DASH LIGHTS GO OUT. HEADLIGHTS BARELY LIGHT AT NIGHT WHEN IT OCCURS. YOU LOSE ALL POWER. ONE DAY IT MIGHT DO IT 4 TIMES, THE NEXT IT MIGHT NOT DO IT ALL. IF YOU TURN THE KEY OFF AND TRY STARTING IT AGAIN SOMETIMES IT STARTS RIGHT UP, OTHER TIMES YOU MIGHT HAVE TO SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES. I JUST WORRY ABOUT SOMEONE HITTING ME WHEN IT HAPPENS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW SOMETHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10643681

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE, DISSECTED AORTA, AND WAS IN CARDIAC INTENSIVE CARE. THE MANUFACTURER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE, DISSECTED AORTA, AND WAS IN CARDIAC INTENSIVE CARE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10622038

115,000 miles · Jul 31, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO MAKE A HARD STOP. ON STOPPING THE VEHICLE BRAKES FAILED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR. VERY LUCKY THAT NO VEHICLE OR PEDESTRIAN WERE HIT. CAR WAS APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES FROM HOME. DROVE REMAINING DISTANCE AT 5 MPH WITH PARKING BRAKE ONLY. ON INSPECTION DISCOVERED THE TWO BRAKE LI…

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WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO MAKE A HARD STOP. ON STOPPING THE VEHICLE BRAKES FAILED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR. VERY LUCKY THAT NO VEHICLE OR PEDESTRIAN WERE HIT. CAR WAS APPROXIMATELY TWO MILES FROM HOME. DROVE REMAINING DISTANCE AT 5 MPH WITH PARKING BRAKE ONLY. ON INSPECTION DISCOVERED THE TWO BRAKE LINES UNDER THE PROTECTIVE PLASTIC WERE CORRODED. IN ADDITION, THE THREE FUEL LINES ARE ALSO SEVERELY RUSTED, AND FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE RETURN LINE. THE CORRODED BRAKE LINES ARE LINES 9 AND 11 IN THE 1998 HONDA CIVIC LX BRAKE DIAGRAM. LINE 11 IS CURRENTLY LEAKING LEAVING NO BRAKE PRESSURE FOR THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. THE FUEL LINES ARE PIPES 15, 16 AND 19 IN THE FUEL LINE DIAGRAM WITH FUEL LINE 19 LEAKING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AWAITING TO BE SERVICED. BASED ON SEARCHES ONLINE FOR HONDA VEHICLES, THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WITH HIGH USAGE OF SALT SUCH AS THE MID-WEST. VEHICLE OWNERS NEED TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY SYMPTOM. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL OR NOTIFICATION FROM HONDA? IN ADDITION, THE REPAIR OF ALL OF THESE LINES IS VERY COSTLY TO THE OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532982

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2013
Electrical System

MY CAR CUT OFF FOR NO REASON WHILE I WAS IN MOTION. I HAD JUST GOT A NEW DISTRIBUTOR. I NEED TO MAKE SURE MY VIN IS ON THE LIST SO I CAN GET MY IGNITION SWITCHED REPLACED. IT WAS A ISSUE WHEN I CALLED HONDA. HONDA SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NEVER FIXED PREVIOUS BUT THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF THIS MATTER CAN BE R…

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MY CAR CUT OFF FOR NO REASON WHILE I WAS IN MOTION. I HAD JUST GOT A NEW DISTRIBUTOR. I NEED TO MAKE SURE MY VIN IS ON THE LIST SO I CAN GET MY IGNITION SWITCHED REPLACED. IT WAS A ISSUE WHEN I CALLED HONDA. HONDA SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NEVER FIXED PREVIOUS BUT THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF THIS MATTER CAN BE RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532176

200,015 miles · May 9, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID FROM UNDER THE PLASTIC HOUSING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID FROM UNDER THE PLASTIC HOUSING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,015. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511250

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2013
Electrical System

1998 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. LAST WEEK, AS HE WAS DRIVING AT A CONSIDERABLE SPEED, T…

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1998 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. LAST WEEK, AS HE WAS DRIVING AT A CONSIDERABLE SPEED, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY CUT OFF. IT STARTED UP AGAIN, BUT CUT OFF AGAIN, AFTER HE MOVED ABOUT 20 FEET. IT REPEATEDLY STALLED 15 MORE TIMES. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, HE EXPERIENCED ANOTHER EPISODE OF THE VEHICLE STALLING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND EVEN BEFORE THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS; THE IGNITION SWITCH. THEIR EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE, CONFIRMED THEIR THEORY, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACE AT A COST OF $ 331.34. THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE AWARE OF THE RECALL, BUT THEY COULD NOT WAIVE THE COST, BECAUSE SO MUCH TIME HAD PASSED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10504032

160,000 miles · Jun 20, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES. THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING SEVERAL MINUTES. THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10462433

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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