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1998 Honda CR-V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Honda CR-V are lower than the model-year median of 400.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

39 reports with mileage · 89 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports1 fire reports9 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

4 reports
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40,000 miles · Oct 26, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

THE LATCH ON THE GATE THAT LOCKS THE GLASS BACK WINDOW INTO PLACE IS COVERED IN A WHITE PLASTIC THAT FALLS APART FROM SUN EXPOSURE. THIS CAUSES THE METAL PART MOUNTED IN THE GLASS WINDOW THAT YOU PUSH INTO THE LATCH ON THE GATE TO RATTLE . THE GLASS WINDOW CLOSES BUT THE WHOLE GLASS IS LOSE, NOT TIGHT. ON THE INTERSTATE THIS ST…

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THE LATCH ON THE GATE THAT LOCKS THE GLASS BACK WINDOW INTO PLACE IS COVERED IN A WHITE PLASTIC THAT FALLS APART FROM SUN EXPOSURE. THIS CAUSES THE METAL PART MOUNTED IN THE GLASS WINDOW THAT YOU PUSH INTO THE LATCH ON THE GATE TO RATTLE . THE GLASS WINDOW CLOSES BUT THE WHOLE GLASS IS LOSE, NOT TIGHT. ON THE INTERSTATE THIS STARTS THE GLASS TO RATTLE AND I AM AFRAID OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I HAVE TO SLAM MY BRAKES ON AT HIGHER SPEEDS SINCE THE GLASS IS NOT SECURE. I TALKED WITH A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT FORD HAD WITH THE EXPLORERS THAT CAUSED THEM TO BE RECALLED. I THOUGH I SHOULD BRING IT YOUR ATTENTION BECAUSE THAT RECALL TALKED ABOUT HOW THE GLASS SHATTERED AND COVERED THE PEOPLE IN THE CAR WITH GLASS FRAGMENTS WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS. UNLESS YOU REALLY PAY ATTENTION, YOU WOULDN'T NOTICE THE PLASTIC FALLING OFF THE LOCKING DEVICE AND THAT THE WINDOW IS NOT SECURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289836

125,000 miles · Sep 7, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

2 POWER DRIVEN DOOR LOCKS (PASSENGER & DRIVER SIDE) ON A 1998 HONDA CRV HAVE BOTH FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS THE INABILITY TO ENTER THE VEHICLE (DRIVER SIDE) OR EXIT THE VEHICLE (DRIVER AND PASSENGER). BOTH LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 6 MONTHS (FEB - AUG '04). ADDITIONALLY, THE HATCH LOCK ALSO FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT…

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2 POWER DRIVEN DOOR LOCKS (PASSENGER & DRIVER SIDE) ON A 1998 HONDA CRV HAVE BOTH FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS THE INABILITY TO ENTER THE VEHICLE (DRIVER SIDE) OR EXIT THE VEHICLE (DRIVER AND PASSENGER). BOTH LOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 6 MONTHS (FEB - AUG '04). ADDITIONALLY, THE HATCH LOCK ALSO FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. SPEAKING WITH AMERICAN HONDA AND SINCE THE MILEAGE IS 125 - 130K MILES, THEY INDICATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AS WELL AS THEY HAD NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLES. THE DEALERSHIP HOWEVER HAD INDICATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH LOCKS REQUIRING REPAIR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10090561

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

THE HATCH DOOR LATCH OF MY 98 HONDA CRV IS BROKEN. THIS HAS BEEN SLOWLY DETERIORATING FOR SOME TIME, AND IS NOW COMPLETELY DEFECTIVE. ONLY THE GLASS HATCH WINDOW IS HOLDING THE DOOR SHUT. THE VEHICLE/HATCH DOOR HAVE NOT WITHSTOOD ANY EXTREME OR UNUSUAL USE, NOR HAS THAT PART OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE IN AN ACCIDENT. THI…

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THE HATCH DOOR LATCH OF MY 98 HONDA CRV IS BROKEN. THIS HAS BEEN SLOWLY DETERIORATING FOR SOME TIME, AND IS NOW COMPLETELY DEFECTIVE. ONLY THE GLASS HATCH WINDOW IS HOLDING THE DOOR SHUT. THE VEHICLE/HATCH DOOR HAVE NOT WITHSTOOD ANY EXTREME OR UNUSUAL USE, NOR HAS THAT PART OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND REPAIR. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10043307

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

CONSUMER STATED THE BACK DOOR LATCH WAS BROKEN. THIS HAS BEEN SLOWLY DETERIORATING FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS. CONSUMER CONSULTED MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $200.00 SINCE IT WAS NOT ON RECALL. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS A DEFECT. *AK *PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #10034052

Official recalls

3

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.

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.

99V282000 · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

Oct 19, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN IMPROPERLY ROUTED UNDER DASH WIRE HARNESS COULD BE DAMAGED BY CONTACT WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A BLOWN FUSE. IF THIS OCCURS, OPERATION OF A CRITICAL COMPONENT CAN BE LOST, INCLUDING WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LAMPS, TAIL LAMPS, THE ANTI-LOCKING FUNCTION OF THE BRAKES, AND BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LIGHTING OR A FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN BAD WEATHER, COULD BE HAZARDOUS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A 70MM PROTECTIVE, CORRUGATED PLASTIC TUBE OVER THE WIRE HARNESS, IN THE AREA OF THE BRAKE STOP SWITCH. IF ANY WIRE OR WIRES ARE DAMAGED, THEY WILL BE REPAIRED.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Honda CR-V problems