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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

3 reports
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135,000 miles · Jun 8, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CRV. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY AND WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. DURING THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT'S FOOT REMAINED FIRM ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND PROCEEDED T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CRV. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY AND WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. DURING THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT'S FOOT REMAINED FIRM ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE CRASHED THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A MAILBOX AND THEN A NEARBY TREE, KNOCKING IT DOWN BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE OWNER SUSTAINED LACERATIONS AND BRUISES TO THE MOUTH. THE AMBULANCE AND POLICE RESPONDED TO THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 135,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10335265

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control

THE ACCELERATOR CORD WAS STUCK CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL, CONSUMER ALSO TRIED TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT IT DID NOT STOP THE CAR EITHER. NLM

NHTSA ODI #551310

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 1999
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE CRUISE CONTROL / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM OF THE 1998 HONDA CR-V HAVE A POTENTIALLY DANDEROUS PROBLEMS. WHEN THE SYSTEM IS ON CRUISE CONTROL @ 60-75 MPH AND ENCOUNTERS RESISTANCE, SUCH AS CLIMBING A STEADY SLOPE, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS, CAUSING VERY HIGH ENGINE RPMS. THE RPMS HOLD AT 5 TO 6.5 THOUSAND FOR AN EXTENDED…

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THE CRUISE CONTROL / AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEM OF THE 1998 HONDA CR-V HAVE A POTENTIALLY DANDEROUS PROBLEMS. WHEN THE SYSTEM IS ON CRUISE CONTROL @ 60-75 MPH AND ENCOUNTERS RESISTANCE, SUCH AS CLIMBING A STEADY SLOPE, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS, CAUSING VERY HIGH ENGINE RPMS. THE RPMS HOLD AT 5 TO 6.5 THOUSAND FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS BACK TO FOURTH GEAR, RETURNING THE RPMS TO A SAFE LEVEL. THIS HIGH RPM LEVEL MUST DO DAMAGE TO ENGINE AT TIMES EXCEEDING THE RED LINE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #703418

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