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1998 Honda CR-V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Honda CR-V are lower than the model-year median of 400.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

39 reports with mileage · 89 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports1 fire reports9 injury reports

Engine complaints

6 reports
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199,000 miles · Jan 26, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System

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 WHEEL. I WAS ABLE TO PUT ON MY HA…

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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 WHEEL. I WAS ABLE TO PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND STOP THE CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. CAR WOULD NOT RUN SINCE THIS HAPPENED. CAR WILL START BUT DIE ON IDEL. HAVE REPLACED STARTER, MAIN RELAY, IGNITION, SPARK PLUGS AND HAVE HAD 4 AUTO SHOPS LOOK AT IT AND STILL NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE..

NHTSA ODI #11390000

175,000 miles · Apr 3, 2019
Engine

WHILE DRIVING WITH RADIO ON THE ENGINE CUTS OUT AFTER SITTING FOR A COUPLE MINUTES IT WILL START BACK UP HOWEVER IT STALLS AGAIN IF RADIO IS ON. THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN I HAVE RADIO ON IF I LEAVE THE RADIO OFF IT WORKS OK

NHTSA ODI #11193644

185,000 miles · Apr 10, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

NHTSA ODI #10971677

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED BUT WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10669316

15,938 miles · Apr 2, 2014
EngineCrash

PULLED OUT AT STOP SIGN NO CARS WERE COMMING BUT CAR SHUT OFF WAS HIT FRONT DRIVERS SIDE CAR WAS FIXED BUT STILL SHUTS OFF AT IDLE OR MOVING HONDA AT GREENCASTLE PA SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576937

124,000 miles · Mar 14, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

NHTSA ODI #10569435

Official recalls

3

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.

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.

99V282000 · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

Oct 19, 1999

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Honda CR-V problems