1998 Honda Accord Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Accord years
- Far more complaints than other years 5th of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 1,200 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Honda Accord. That ranks 5th out of 32 Accord model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (308 complaints, 26%), typically at around 126,037 miles. Complaints mention 100 crashes, 3 fires, 65 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
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- 1,200owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 100complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1998 Honda Accord problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System problems | 308 | 26% | 126,037 | “ignition switch” (55%) | $340 |
| Power Train problems | 276 | 23% | 86,000 | “automatic transmission” (13%) | $5,300 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 134 | 11% | 94,000 | “catalytic converter” (19%) | $1,650 |
| Air Bags problems | 79 | 7% | 103,281 | “upon impact” (15%) | — |
| Structure problems | 76 | 6% | 137,500 | “passenger side” (32%) | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 67 | 6% | 65,434 | “sudden acceleration” (9%) | — |
| Suspension problems | 62 | 5% | 154,556 | “passenger side” (31%) | — |
| Unknown or Other | 50 | 4% | 79,402 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 43 | 4% | 67,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 39 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 36 | 3% | 134,043 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 29 | 2% | 132,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 29 | 2% | 135,500 | — | — |
| Visibility | 26 | 2% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 25 | 2% | 98,750 | — | — |
| Seats | 25 | 2% | 108,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 23 | 2% | 109,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 18 | 2% | 190,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 8 | 1% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 7 | 1% | 149,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 7 | 1% | 90,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 0% | 108,000 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 3 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 3 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Child Seat | 2 | 0% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 0% | 96,659 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0% | 223,993 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1998 Honda Accord recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system:ignition:switch
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles and mini vans, the ignition switch may wear excessively and prevent proper interlock operation, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to "park."
Risk: If the vehicle operator does not shift to "park" before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that determines the amount of cylinder body wear. If significant wear is indicated, the dealer will replace the cylinder body, collar, and latch plate. If no signs of wear are indicated, dealers will replace the latch plate with a redesigned part. Owner notification began december 8, 2003. Owners should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238.
Electrical system:ignition:switch
Problem: 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.
Risk: Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain vehicles were manufactured with ball joints that can prematurely wear out and, in the worse case, the ball joint would separate causing the front suspension to collapse.
Risk: This condition would result in vehicle deceleration and a sudden loss of power. Also steering controllability would be reduced.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.
Power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles (honda accord sedans manufactured from september 18, 1997 to january 10, 1998; coupes manufactured december 11, december 15, 1997, and january 5, 1998; acura 2.3cl manufactured october 22, 1997 through january 7, 1998). During manufacturing, the casting die caused an irregularity in the right-side transmission cover. This irregularity can limit the movement of the parking pawl actuation level and prevent adequate engagement of the parking gear pawl. This does not comply with fmvs no. 114, "theft protection."
Risk: This condition can cause the vehicle to roll down an incline when the transmission is locked in "park," increasing the risk of personal injury and/or property damage.
Fix: Dealers will install a collar on the transmission parking pawl to ensure proper movement of the actuation lever.
Seat belts:front:anchorage
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front passenger seat belt retractor mounting bracket was improperly welded.
Risk: This condition can cause the bracket to separate from the vehicle body in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair these vehicles.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Ignition-park interlock (EA03017) — opened Sep 9, 2003, closed Dec 17, 2003, led to recall 03V423000.
- Ignition-park interlock system (PE03014) — opened Apr 15, 2003, closed Sep 5, 2003.
- Seat frame bracket failure (PE02072) — opened Oct 2, 2002, closed Mar 28, 2003.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
When I was driving my 98 Honda accord lx . I notice it shuts off itself if hitting a hard bump . Then I noticed online they had folks saying that the ignition switch was beginning to be a big issue . I nearly died after picking my 2 kids up from school the car shut off in the middleof the…
The contact owns an Evenflo Car Seat, Model Number: 36412348, Model Type: Nurture Max, Manufactured Date: 8/17/2022. The car seat was being utilized in a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact stated that she noticed that the latches on the left and right side of the safety seat failed to attach as…
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord Sedan. The contact stated stopped at a traffic light, a second vehicle crashed full onto the rear bumper of her vehicle. The contact stated that her trunk and side rear panels were crushed. The contact stated that the second vehicle crashed her vehicle twice in…
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. Additionally, the battery had to be recharged on several occasions in order to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was…
Honda refuses to replace recalled airbags. I've been trying for a year and even when they "order" the part they don't have it when I arrive. This has happened repeatedly. I was in a car accident today and the airbags didn't deploy and they should have. After reading all the online complaints I feel…
Other Honda Accord years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Accord | 10 | 0 |
| 2025 Accord | 87 | 0 |
| 2024 Accord | 149 | 3 |
| 2023 Accord | 85 | 5 |
| 2022 Accord | 256 | 4 |
| 2021 Accord | 241 | 4 |
| 2020 Accord | 364 | 5 |
| 2019 Accord | 696 | 6 |
| 2018 Accord | 1,890 | 6 |
| 2017 Accord | 538 | 3 |
| 2016 Accord | 609 | 4 |
| 2015 Accord | 601 | 5 |
| 2014 Accord | 981 | 4 |
| 2013 Accord | 1,425 | 5 |
| 2012 Accord | 373 | 8 |
| 2011 Accord | 296 | 9 |
| 2010 Accord | 580 | 12 |
| 2009 Accord | 726 | 10 |
| 2008 Accord | 1,520 | 8 |
| 2007 Accord | 524 | 9 |
| 2006 Accord | 432 | 12 |
| 2005 Accord | 656 | 15 |
| 2004 Accord | 1,018 | 13 |
| 2003 Accord | 1,987 | 13 |
| 2002 Accord | 1,050 | 5 |
| 2001 Accord | 922 | 7 |
| 2000 Accord | 1,183 | 8 |
| 1999 Accord | 1,135 | 4 |
| 1998 | 1,200 | 6 |
| 1997 Accord | 460 | 3 |
| 1996 Accord | 472 | 1 |
| 1995 Accord | 543 | 2 |
See all Honda Accord problems by year, every Honda model, or the Honda VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Honda Accord?
Owners most often report electrical system, power train, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 308 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Honda Accord?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1998 Honda Accord a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Accord model years, the 1998 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.