IllustrationI WAS TRAVELING ON A WET ROAD AT 40MPH. WHEN APPLIED BRAKES, THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD ABRUPTLY AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID OFF ROAD. THE VEHICLE HIT CONCRETE BLOCKS AND TOTALED THE FRONT END. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. TS
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Civic years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
110–25K
925–50K
2150–75K
1775–100K
22100–150K
33150K+
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
Air Bags complaints
96 reportsCONSUMER COLLIDED IN THE REAR OF ANOTHER CAR TRAVELLING APPROXIMATELY 30-35MPH. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TS
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN CAR HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROX. 35 M.P.H. FRONT END OF HONDA CIVIC WAS DEMOLISHED AND NOTHING PROTECTED DRIVER FROM HITTING WINDSHIELD EVEN WITH SEAT BELT ON HER. THIS CAR WAS FOR TEENAGER AND DEALER WAS ASKED SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE AIR BAGS.…
Read full complaint
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN CAR HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROX. 35 M.P.H. FRONT END OF HONDA CIVIC WAS DEMOLISHED AND NOTHING PROTECTED DRIVER FROM HITTING WINDSHIELD EVEN WITH SEAT BELT ON HER. THIS CAR WAS FOR TEENAGER AND DEALER WAS ASKED SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE AIR BAGS. WE WERE TOLD THAT CAR WAS VERY SAFE AND EVERYTHING WAS IN WORKING ORDER. NOW WE KNOW THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT WORKING. DT
AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOYE AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. DT
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS SMASHED INTO FROM THE SIDE WHICH THEN THREW THE VEHICLE INTO A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD ON. NEITHER DUAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON EITHER IMPACT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. NLM
CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER TO GET A RECALL PART REPLACED. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THERE IS A WAITING LIST. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A UNSAFE CONDITION TO DRIVE IN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A T-BONE COLLISION OF 40-45 MPH IMPACT AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TOP PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
CONSUME RINVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 50 MPH, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
VEHICLE WAS GOING 35MPH WHEN FRONTAL AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. HONDA WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Official recalls
420V026000 · 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
1SQ98012 · 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.