Illustration1998 HONDA CRV WITH ABS PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE ACCELERATOR ALSO BECAME ENGAGED ALMOST OVERRIDING THE BRAKES. *KB
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all CR-V 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
10–25K
725–50K
350–75K
275–100K
14100–150K
12150K+
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
6 reportsHONDA 98 CRV AND 97 CIVIC BOTH HAVE HAD THE PAD (THAT IS WHAT IS CALLED, $4 PART) BREAK AND THIS CAUSES THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO STAY ON WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER HAS NO WARNING AND DRIVING WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON CAUSES THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE DRIVER TO SLAM THEIR BRAKES ON AT HIGHER SPEEDS WHICH CAN CAUSE A ACCIDENT. A WORKER AT THE DEA…
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HONDA 98 CRV AND 97 CIVIC BOTH HAVE HAD THE PAD (THAT IS WHAT IS CALLED, $4 PART) BREAK AND THIS CAUSES THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO STAY ON WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER HAS NO WARNING AND DRIVING WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON CAUSES THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE DRIVER TO SLAM THEIR BRAKES ON AT HIGHER SPEEDS WHICH CAN CAUSE A ACCIDENT. A WORKER AT THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE SEEING A LOT OF CARS THIS AGE HAVE THIS BREAKAGE AND IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE TO DO WITH USAGE (BOTH CARS HAVE LESS THEN 50,000 MILES ON THEM). THE BROKEN PIECES TURN YELLOW THUS I THINK THEY CANNOT TAKE HIGH HEAT AND FAIL BECAUSE THE HEAT BREAKS THEM DOWN. I FIXED THE PROBLEM BY BUYING A NEW PART AND HAVE THE PIECES IF YOU WOULD LIKE THEM OF THE OLD PART. I AM CONCERNED THAT PEOPLES LIVES ARE BEING PUT IN DANGER BECAUSE A CHEAP PLASTIC WAS USED INSTEAD OF ONE THAT WAS MADE FOR CONDITIONS INSIDE A CAR. *TR
THE FRONT ROTORS WARPED PREMATURELY. AS A RESULT, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES FROM A HIGH SPEED, THE FRONT END SHOOK VIOLENTLY, MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT. *AK *JB
WHILE DRIVING AT 40/45MPH ON FREEWAY SUDDENLY SLAMMED ON BRAKES, AND BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND, VEHICLE SLIDEABOUT 100 FEET, REAR ENDING OTHER VEHICLE.CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
WHILE DRIVING IN SNOWY WEATHER, CONSUMER HEARD LOUD NOISES AND THE ABS FAILED TO PERFORM PROPERLY WHEN APPLIED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK. THE TRUCK DID NOT STOP IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS WHILE THE ABS WAS ACTIVE, CONSUMER DISABLED THE ABS BY REMOVING THE PUMP AND THE BRAKING WAS NORMAL.*JB
THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL ARE PLACED TOO FAR APART; OVER 5 INCHES.
Official recalls
320V026000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.