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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
180,000 miles · Jul 14, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 98 HONDA CIVIC LX, IT SEEMS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON THESE CARS ARE DEFECTIVE THEY CRACK AND THE GAS EMISSIONS ARE CIRCULATED TO THE CABIN OF THE AUTOMOBILE. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD SHOULD NOT CRACK ON NORMAL USE. CARBON MONOXIDE CO COULD LEAK TO THE CABIN OF THE CAR, AND IS POISONOUS TO HUMANS AND CHILDREN. THERE ARE …

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I HAVE A 98 HONDA CIVIC LX, IT SEEMS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON THESE CARS ARE DEFECTIVE THEY CRACK AND THE GAS EMISSIONS ARE CIRCULATED TO THE CABIN OF THE AUTOMOBILE. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD SHOULD NOT CRACK ON NORMAL USE. CARBON MONOXIDE CO COULD LEAK TO THE CABIN OF THE CAR, AND IS POISONOUS TO HUMANS AND CHILDREN. THERE ARE A LOT OF HONDA CIVICS OUT HERE WITH CRACK EXHAUST MANIFOLD, IT IS HARD TO FIND THE CULPRIT, BECAUSE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS COVERED WITH A METAL COVER, BUT YOU WILL NOTICE THE SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE CAR, WHEN THE CAR IS AT RUNNING. THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE ON THIS DEFECTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10343200

110,000 miles · May 20, 2010
Electrical System

FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH ON A 1998 HONDA CIVIC EX AT 110,000 MILES. IT WAS CAUSING FREQUENT STALLING AND DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AT TIMES. WE HAVE HAD IT REPLACED BUT NOT SURE IT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE ON THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10331357

35,000 miles · Jan 27, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING ON AND APPROACHING ONE OF IF NOT THE LARGEST SOCAL FREEWAY INTERCHANGES, DRIVING AT ABOUT 70MPH OR SO, BACK TO LA FROM SAN DIEGO; OUR 1998 CIVIC LX TOOK CONTROL OF ITSELF AND THE SPEED INCREASED TO OVER 105MPH, SHAKING AND THUMPING. AFTER WEAVING AROUND POCKETS OF TRAFFIC, INCLUDING USING THE SMALL SHOULDERS, AND …

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WHILE DRIVING ON AND APPROACHING ONE OF IF NOT THE LARGEST SOCAL FREEWAY INTERCHANGES, DRIVING AT ABOUT 70MPH OR SO, BACK TO LA FROM SAN DIEGO; OUR 1998 CIVIC LX TOOK CONTROL OF ITSELF AND THE SPEED INCREASED TO OVER 105MPH, SHAKING AND THUMPING. AFTER WEAVING AROUND POCKETS OF TRAFFIC, INCLUDING USING THE SMALL SHOULDERS, AND ALL 5 OR SO LANES, AS WE APPROACHED THE MASSIVE MERGING OF FREEWAYS, PANICKED, WE STOMPED AND BANGED THE FLOOR, DASH, EVERYTHING. AS SHOCK WORE OFF WE THOUGHT WE WERE DEAD, SOMEHOW PUT CAR (AUTO TRANS) INTO NEUTRAL, I BELIEVE WE MAY HAVE TURNED OFF THE CAR AT SOME POINT, THE BRAKES FINALLY STARTED TO WORK. GAS PEDAL WAS ABSOLUTELY NOT STUCK (THIS MODEL WAS ALREADY REPAIRED DUE TO A FLOOR MATT RECALL), FEET WERE NOT EVEN ON THE GAS AS IT STARTED TO HAPPEN (NOT IN CRUISE, JUST SHOCK). THE CAR SIMPLY TOOK OFF. WE ARE FOREVER TRAUMATIZED BY THIS EXPERIENCE AND NEVER THOUGHT TO REPORT UNTIL RECENT NEWS REPORTS. APPROX DATE IS REALLY UNKNOWN BUT THE YEAR WAS 2002 AS I SOON AFTER BOUGHT ANOTHER CAR.*CW

NHTSA ODI #10302470

205,000 miles · Dec 25, 2009
Electrical System

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IT TAKES A WHILE AND WHEN IT STARTS AND I GET OUT AND THEN BACK TO START IT THE SAME THING HAPPENS. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296957

35,000 miles · Dec 15, 2009
Exterior Lighting

SINCE 2006 WE HAVE HAD SEVEN REPLACEMENTS OF THE HEADLIGHTS. HONDA HAS CHANGED BULBS AND ENTIRE HARNESSES. WE HAVE NOT BEEN TICKETED YET AT NIGHT, BUT THAT AND HAVING AN ACCIDENT ALWAYS HANGS OVER OUR HEAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295809

194,000 miles · Dec 7, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE ID…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 195,000.

NHTSA ODI #10294701

171,847 miles · Aug 6, 2009
Electrical System

MY CAR FALLS UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE HONDA IGNITION SWITCH. MY VIN# SAYS OTHERWISE. HOWEVER, MY CAR IS HAVING ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS. I ALMOST HIT A WALL ON THE INTERSTATE TODAY BECAUSE MY CAR "QUIT". MY CAR HAS DONE THIS A COUPLE TIMES. IF IT DIES WITH OUT WARNING, USUALLY I CAN PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND START IT AGAIN... IF IT STA…

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MY CAR FALLS UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE HONDA IGNITION SWITCH. MY VIN# SAYS OTHERWISE. HOWEVER, MY CAR IS HAVING ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS. I ALMOST HIT A WALL ON THE INTERSTATE TODAY BECAUSE MY CAR "QUIT". MY CAR HAS DONE THIS A COUPLE TIMES. IF IT DIES WITH OUT WARNING, USUALLY I CAN PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND START IT AGAIN... IF IT STARTS. I AM HAVING TROUBLE TALKING WITH THE HONDA DEALERSHIPS AROUND HERE TRYING TO GET THIS FIGURED OUT. I DRIVE INTERSTATE EVERYDAY TO WORK AND BACK. I AM WORRIED THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS AND DEADLY CRASH WITH ME AND/OR MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279622

162,000 miles · Feb 26, 2009
Fuel System, Other

MY !998 HONDA CIVIC EX STALLED ON FREEWAY WHILE GOING AT 50MPH. IT WAS DUE TO FAILURE OF IGNITION SWITCH. HONDA HAD A RECALL ON CERTAIN VAN MODELS ONLY AND MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE LIST. MY SAFETY IS AT STAKE HERE SO ARE OTHERS WHO DRIVES A HONDA. ALTHOUGH I HAVE 162,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE SWITCH AS FAR AS I KNOW IS NOT A…

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MY !998 HONDA CIVIC EX STALLED ON FREEWAY WHILE GOING AT 50MPH. IT WAS DUE TO FAILURE OF IGNITION SWITCH. HONDA HAD A RECALL ON CERTAIN VAN MODELS ONLY AND MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE LIST. MY SAFETY IS AT STAKE HERE SO ARE OTHERS WHO DRIVES A HONDA. ALTHOUGH I HAVE 162,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE SWITCH AS FAR AS I KNOW IS NOT AN ITEM CALLED OUT FOR REPLACEMENT AS PART OF THE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE. SO HOW WOULD I KNOW WHEN TO REPLACE IF IT IS NOT AN ITEM THAT IS A REQUIRED ATTENTION WHEN VEHICLE IS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE, THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND LIFE ENDANGERING PROBLEM. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE CAR STALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260021

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2009
Electrical SystemEquipment

CAR WOULDN'T START, JAN 10, 2009 WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE STATION,BATTERY OK ENGINE OK, CHARGING SYSTEM OK, COMPUTER SYSTEM OK THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, CAR WOULD START FINE,NOTHING WAS DONE TO IT. 11 DAYS LATER CAR WOULDN'T START,SO IGNITION STARTER WAS REPLACED. CAR WAS OK UNTIL JAN 26(5 DAYS AFTER NEW CAR IGNITION SWI…

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CAR WOULDN'T START, JAN 10, 2009 WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE STATION,BATTERY OK ENGINE OK, CHARGING SYSTEM OK, COMPUTER SYSTEM OK THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, CAR WOULD START FINE,NOTHING WAS DONE TO IT. 11 DAYS LATER CAR WOULDN'T START,SO IGNITION STARTER WAS REPLACED. CAR WAS OK UNTIL JAN 26(5 DAYS AFTER NEW CAR IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED) CAR IS STILL IN REPAIR SHOP. JUST FOUND OUT ON INTERNET ABOUT PROBLEMS AND RECALL OF 98 HONDA CIVIC IGNITION SWITCH. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO WHAT TO DO NEXT, NEED CAR FOR WORK TRAVEL. I AM AFRAID FOR MY LIFE TO USE THIS CAR NOW. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256503

114,000 miles · Nov 2, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BROADSIDE ANOTHER CAR WITH MY FRONT END. THE FRONT OF MY CAR ENDED UP BEING TOTALED AND MY 1998 HONDA CIVIC EX AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I CONTACTED BOTH HONDA CORPORATE AND THEY REFERRED ME TO THERE 2 FIELD SPECIALISTS. THERE REPLY WAS MY SEAT BELT SENSOR TOLD MY AIRBAG SENSOR IT DID NOT NEED TO DEP…

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I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BROADSIDE ANOTHER CAR WITH MY FRONT END. THE FRONT OF MY CAR ENDED UP BEING TOTALED AND MY 1998 HONDA CIVIC EX AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I CONTACTED BOTH HONDA CORPORATE AND THEY REFERRED ME TO THERE 2 FIELD SPECIALISTS. THERE REPLY WAS MY SEAT BELT SENSOR TOLD MY AIRBAG SENSOR IT DID NOT NEED TO DEPLOY. HONDA SAID I HAD NO CASE WITH THEM. I THINK ALL I GOT IS THE RUN AROUND. I HONESTLY WANT THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION. ALSO TO KNOW WHY HONDA DOES NOT STAND BEHIND WHAT THEY MAKE. I BELIEVE THE AIRBAG FAILED FOR SOME REASON!! I HAVE HAD 2 PRIOR NECK SURGERIES AND RECEIVED SEVERAL INJURIES FROM THIS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10247490

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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