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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

16 reports
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150,000 miles · Sep 13, 2020
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

WE WERE ON A CITY STREET, APPROACHED AN UNKNOWN DIP IN THE ROAD. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE HEADLINER IS SHREDDED. THERE IS NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER, FENDERS OR HOOD. THE SRS SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON. THE DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK FROM THE FOB. THE SEATBELTS DO APPEAR TO BE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. I HAVE WAITED FOR THE RECALL…

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WE WERE ON A CITY STREET, APPROACHED AN UNKNOWN DIP IN THE ROAD. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE HEADLINER IS SHREDDED. THERE IS NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER, FENDERS OR HOOD. THE SRS SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON. THE DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK FROM THE FOB. THE SEATBELTS DO APPEAR TO BE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. I HAVE WAITED FOR THE RECALL TO INCLUDE 98'S KNOWING THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE INCLUDED BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO MINE. I DON'T HAVE PICTURES AT THIS TIME BUT WILL PROVIDE.

NHTSA ODI #11354740

45 miles · Aug 4, 2018
SeatsSuspensionUnknown Or Other

IT NEED SEAT LIGHT DONT WORK TITE DPNT MATCH CHECK ENVINE LIGHT IS ON BRAKE LIGHT IS ON

NHTSA ODI #11115736

156,655 miles · Jul 28, 2016
Unknown Or OtherCrash

TAKATA RECALL SO I W ON MY WAY TO WORK AD S INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT THE TIME ALL I KNEW WAS AFTER TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CAR WAS TOED AND CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS I WAS TICKETED FOR CARELESS DRIVING. AFTER PAYING TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK IN MY POSSESSION I WAS LOOKING THREW THE CAR AND REALIZ…

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TAKATA RECALL SO I W ON MY WAY TO WORK AD S INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT THE TIME ALL I KNEW WAS AFTER TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CAR WAS TOED AND CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS I WAS TICKETED FOR CARELESS DRIVING. AFTER PAYING TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK IN MY POSSESSION I WAS LOOKING THREW THE CAR AND REALIZED THE FLOOR MAT WAS STUCK UNDER THE PEDDLES I THEN WHEN AND RAN THE VIN ON CAR FACTS AND FOUND AN OPEN RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM . I WAS NEVER ONCE NOTIFIED ABOUT A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE I AM NOW HAVING TO PAY FOR OTHERS CAR REPAIR AND MEDICAL BILLS DUE TO A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED I AM AT A LOSS AND DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO.

NHTSA ODI #10889319

15,000 miles · Jun 4, 2015
Unknown Or Other

DURING 2000 (EST) I BROUGHT MY CAR TO HONDA DEALER TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.AND GET A NEW SET OF KEYS I THINK I PAID ABOUT $800 I NEVER RECEIVE ANY RECALL NOTICE UNTIL THIS YEAR MY MECHANIC CHECK AND HE SAID MY CAR HAD RECALL. .I FURTHER REFER TO INTERNET THAT SOME CAR WERE REPAIRED FREE IN CHANGING IGNITION SWITCH. IN T…

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DURING 2000 (EST) I BROUGHT MY CAR TO HONDA DEALER TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH.AND GET A NEW SET OF KEYS I THINK I PAID ABOUT $800 I NEVER RECEIVE ANY RECALL NOTICE UNTIL THIS YEAR MY MECHANIC CHECK AND HE SAID MY CAR HAD RECALL. .I FURTHER REFER TO INTERNET THAT SOME CAR WERE REPAIRED FREE IN CHANGING IGNITION SWITCH. IN THIS REGARD I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF MY CAR IS A RECALL IN SPITE OF SAME PROBLEM.WITH OTHER CARS THANK YOU, JAIME

NHTSA ODI #10723525

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2008
Unknown Or Other

1998 HONDA CIVIC WITH SAFETY CONCERN. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE NOTICED THIS SAFETY CONCERN. HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS CONSIDERED A SAFE VEHICLE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10223889

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2007
Unknown Or Other

RESPONSE LETTER TO CONSUMERS COMPLAINT LETTER ADDRESS TO CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION**NAR**CC CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED WHILE IN TRANSIT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10188992

60,000 miles · Jun 29, 2004
Unknown Or OtherCrashInjury

AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OF THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITH OUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONAL AND THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE WALL. FINALLY, THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT HIT THE WALL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS AN OPEN…

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AS THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OF THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITH OUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. THE BRAKES WERE NOT FUNCTIONAL AND THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE WALL. FINALLY, THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT HIT THE WALL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10073981

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

WHILE TRAVELING 55-60 MPH ENGINE WOULD STALL, ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8018258

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2000
Unknown Or Other

WHILE ACCELERATING THE MAT JAMMED ON ACCELERATER AND GOT STUCK. CONSUMER HAD TO GO UNDER STEERING WHELL TO RELEASE MAT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, PROBLEM HAS BEEN REOCCURRING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #862876

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2000
Unknown Or Other

THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE ITEM TO FIX AND DISPITE THE PURCHASE OF AN EXTENDED WARRENTY IT'S NOT COVERED. SHOULDN'T THIS BE A SAFETY CONCERN AND COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER? NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #722887

Official recalls

4

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.

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

1

SQ98012 · 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.

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