IllustrationCONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED THERE IS A DEFECT IN TRANSMISSION. *MR
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
Power Train complaints
49 reportsTRANSMISSION WILL GRIND WHEN PUTTING IT INTO REVERSE AND AT TIMES WILL SLIP. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
GEARS WERE NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. DEALER REFUSEDTO LOOK AT VEHICLE. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK
WHILE TRAVELING, CONSUMER APPLIED THE GEAR AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T MOVE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FIRST DRUM HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE TRANSMISSION. NLM *TT
CLUTCH SLIPPED, CAUSING 2ND GEAR TO GRIND. *AK
TWO SCREWS LOOSENED, ALLOWING THE HANDLE USED TO SHIFT BETWEEN PARK, REVERSE, N, DRIVE, ETC. TO COME OFF WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 490. I DROVE TO A GAS STATION, APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE, AND REATTACHED THE HANDLE MYSELF. HOWEVER, IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN D…
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TWO SCREWS LOOSENED, ALLOWING THE HANDLE USED TO SHIFT BETWEEN PARK, REVERSE, N, DRIVE, ETC. TO COME OFF WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 490. I DROVE TO A GAS STATION, APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE, AND REATTACHED THE HANDLE MYSELF. HOWEVER, IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO GET INTO "DRIVE" AND TRAFFIC WOULD BE BLOCKED OR AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. IF VEHICLE WAS IN "DRIVE" IN AN URBAN AREA WHERE ONLY PARALLEL PARKING (NO LOTS) EXISTS, SHIFTING INTO REVERSE (TO PROPERLY BACK INTO SPACE) WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE AND VEHICLE MIGHT HAVE TO STOP IN A TRAFFIC LANE FOR TO BE REPAIRED IN THE STREET OR TO BE TOWED.*AK
WHILE SHIFTING GEAR SHIFT SPRING POPPED OUT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CJ
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER NOTICED PIECES OF METAL COMING FROM CAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WENT OUT.*AK BLOWER MOTOR FOR VENTILATION FAN HAS FAILED TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR . CONSUMER REPLACED TWO BLOWER UNITS AT HIS COST. *YH
THIS AND OTHER HONDAS I OWN CONSISTENTLY MISREPRESENT THE SPEED AT WHICH THE CAR IS ACTUALLY TRAVELLING. I USED TO BE INADVERTENTLY CAUGHT IN THE PASSING LANE GOING WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE LEGAL SPEED LIMIT, ONLY TO HAVE OTHER DRIVERS RIDE ON MY REAR BUMPER. I FINALLY HAD THE SPEEDOMETER CHECKED ON THIS CAR WHEN I TOOK IT IN FO…
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THIS AND OTHER HONDAS I OWN CONSISTENTLY MISREPRESENT THE SPEED AT WHICH THE CAR IS ACTUALLY TRAVELLING. I USED TO BE INADVERTENTLY CAUGHT IN THE PASSING LANE GOING WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE LEGAL SPEED LIMIT, ONLY TO HAVE OTHER DRIVERS RIDE ON MY REAR BUMPER. I FINALLY HAD THE SPEEDOMETER CHECKED ON THIS CAR WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR AN EMISSIONS TEST. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE; IN ADDITION IT SMACKS OF OUTRIGHT FRAUD SINCE IT APPEARS THAT HONDAS GET BETTER GASOLINE MILEAGE THAN THEY DO, AND THEY RUN OUT OF WARRANTY SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES SOONER THAN THEY SHOULD. IT ALSO CAUSES EXTRA MILEAGE FEES TO KICK IN SOONER FOR THOSE WHO LEASE.*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.