1998 Honda CR-V Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other CR-V years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 28th of 30 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Honda CR-V. That ranks 28th out of 30 CR-V model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (38 complaints, 30%), typically at around 124,100 miles. Complaints mention 15 crashes, 1 fire, 12 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
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- 128owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 15complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1998 Honda CR-V 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 | 38 | 30% | 124,100 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 19 | 15% | 120,751 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 9 | 7% | 112,531 | — | — |
| Power Train | 8 | 6% | 113,500 | — | — |
| Tires | 7 | 5% | 141,400 | — | — |
| Engine | 6 | 5% | 175,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 5% | 53,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 6 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 5 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 5 | 4% | 44,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 5 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 3% | 33,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 4 | 3% | 82,500 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 2% | 135,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 3 | 2% | 34,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1% | 199,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1998 Honda CR-V recalls (3)
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 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.
Electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
I was driving normally, going 47mph & accelerating as i was about to merge into traffic on high way, when my cars engine suddenly died. I dident even notice at first because it happened suddenly and quietly. I only noticed because the steering locked up and i found it very difficult to turn the…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED CARDINAL HONDA (531 CT-12, GROTON, CT 06340; [redacted]) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT…
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 honda cr-v. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer lee's summit honda located at 401 ne colbern rd, lee's summit, mo 64806 was contacted and…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 honda cr-v. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair…
Other Honda CR-V years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 CR-V | 156 | 0 |
| 2025 CR-V | 258 | 1 |
| 2024 CR-V | 392 | 2 |
| 2023 CR-V | 516 | 3 |
| 2022 CR-V | 265 | 3 |
| 2021 CR-V | 335 | 4 |
| 2020 CR-V | 355 | 7 |
| 2019 CR-V | 1,106 | 8 |
| 2018 CR-V | 2,158 | 5 |
| 2017 CR-V | 1,775 | 7 |
| 2016 CR-V | 394 | 3 |
| 2015 CR-V | 672 | 3 |
| 2014 CR-V | 587 | 1 |
| 2013 CR-V | 382 | 2 |
| 2012 CR-V | 403 | 3 |
| 2011 CR-V | 554 | 13 |
| 2010 CR-V | 481 | 15 |
| 2009 CR-V | 386 | 12 |
| 2008 CR-V | 962 | 11 |
| 2007 CR-V | 887 | 12 |
| 2006 CR-V | 398 | 12 |
| 2005 CR-V | 479 | 12 |
| 2004 CR-V | 501 | 12 |
| 2003 CR-V | 468 | 13 |
| 2002 CR-V | 515 | 15 |
| 2001 CR-V | 142 | 1 |
| 2000 CR-V | 129 | 2 |
| 1999 CR-V | 127 | 3 |
| 1998 | 128 | 3 |
| 1997 CR-V | 108 | 2 |
See all Honda CR-V 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 CR-V?
Owners most often report electrical system, air bags, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 38 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Honda CR-V?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1998 Honda CR-V a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other CR-V model years, the 1998 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.