IllustrationWHILE DRIVING AIR CONDITIONER STARTED MAKING NOISE, AND THEN STOPPED COOLING COMPLETELY. PROBLEM WAS MAKING VEHICLE RUNS ROUGHLY. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT COMPRESSOR HAD EXPLODED AND SHOT PIECES OF METAL INTO THE AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM.
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
What owners actually said
435 reportsELECTICAL PROBLEM NOT FIXED YET, ENGINE TIMING PROB CAUSED VALVE DAMAGE, HEAD WORK REQUIRED...PAID BY OWNER, HONDA NOTIFIED. *AK
WHEN AT IDLE ENGINE REVS FROM 500RPM UP TO 1500 -2000RPM ALSO WHEN ON A HILL AT A STOP THE CAR WILL ROLL BACKWARDS BEFORE ENGAGING AND GOING FORWARD. ON ABOVE DATE THE CAR REVVED UP TO 4000 RPM BEFORE FINALLY ENGAGING AND I WAS ABLE TO PROCEED FROM THE STOP. WHEN THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICING I DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAD B…
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WHEN AT IDLE ENGINE REVS FROM 500RPM UP TO 1500 -2000RPM ALSO WHEN ON A HILL AT A STOP THE CAR WILL ROLL BACKWARDS BEFORE ENGAGING AND GOING FORWARD. ON ABOVE DATE THE CAR REVVED UP TO 4000 RPM BEFORE FINALLY ENGAGING AND I WAS ABLE TO PROCEED FROM THE STOP. WHEN THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICING I DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A "SERVICE BULLETIN" MAILED TO DEALERS ABOUT THIS VERY PROBLEM. HONDA KNEW ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM AND NOT MADE IT PUBLIC. IF I HAD KNOWN THAT THIS WAS A SYMPTOM OF A FAULTY TRANSMISSION I WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY BROUGHT THE CAR IN. MY WARANTY HAS EXPIRED 6 MOS AGO AND THE REPAIR WILL NOT BE COVERED. I HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF FAULTY MAINTENANCE BECAUSE I DID NOT BRING IN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR OIL CHANGES. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS WELL AS COSTLY AND THAT SINCE HONDA KNOWS THAT IT EXISTS THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR AT LEAST INFORMATION MADE PUBLIC ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.*AK
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH SPED UP TO PASS HER IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE OF THE HIGHWAY, LEAVING ONLY 10 TO 15 FEET CLEAREANCE, AND THEN SLAMMED ON BRAKES AS THE VEHICLE SOON PASSED THE CONSUMER, SHE THEN SWERVED TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH THE VEHICLE, AND LOST CONTROL, STRIKING THE CENTER GUARD RAIL …
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WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH SPED UP TO PASS HER IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE OF THE HIGHWAY, LEAVING ONLY 10 TO 15 FEET CLEAREANCE, AND THEN SLAMMED ON BRAKES AS THE VEHICLE SOON PASSED THE CONSUMER, SHE THEN SWERVED TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH THE VEHICLE, AND LOST CONTROL, STRIKING THE CENTER GUARD RAIL HEAD-ON IN WHICH THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.(ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF CLIENT)*JB
ONCOMING VEHICLE MADE U-TURN RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO THEM @ 30MPH. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DESPITE HEAVY DAMAGE TO FRONT OF CAR.*AK
FRONT SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT WHEN UNBUCKLED. RATCHET MECHANISM SEEMS FLIMSY.*AK
DURING FRONTAL COLLISION THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. NLM
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AND IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID A CRASH CONSUMER RAN INTO WALL. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FOR TWO HOURS IN HOT SUN, REAR WINDOW BLEWOUT. *AK
TIRE DEVELOPED BUBBLE ON INSIDE-REPLACED BEFORE BLEW OUT. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W27J487MNB TIRESIZE: 185/65R14)
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.