1998 Honda Accord

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #20V026000January 17, 20201,439,841 vehicles affected

  air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #03V423000October 27, 2003563,861 vehicles affected

  electrical system: ignition: switch

  On certain passenger vehicles and mini vans, the ignition switch may wear excessively and prevent proper interlock operation, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to "park."

  If the vehicle operator does not shift to "park" before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur.

  Remedy

  Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that determines the amount of cylinder body wear. If significant wear is indicated, the dealer will replace the cylinder body, collar, and latch plate. If no signs of wear are indicated, dealers will replace the latch plate with a redesigned part. Owner notification began december 8, 2003. Owners should contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 or Acura at 1-800-382-2238.

• NHTSA recall #02V120000May 16, 20021,000,000 vehicles affected

  electrical system: ignition: switch

  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.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #99V069000May 10, 1999124,875 vehicles affected

  suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain vehicles were manufactured with ball joints that Can prematurely wear out and, in the worse case, the ball joint would separate causing the front suspension to collapse.

  This condition would result in vehicle deceleration and a sudden loss of power. Also steering controllability would be reduced.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.

• NHTSA recall #98V018000February 10, 199833,966 vehicles affected

  power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles (Honda Accord sedans manufactured from september 18, 1997 to january 10, 1998; coupes manufactured december 11, december 15, 1997, and january 5, 1998; Acura 2.3CL manufactured october 22, 1997 through january 7, 1998). During manufacturing, the casting die caused an irregularity in the right-side transmission cover. This irregularity Can limit the movement of the parking pawl actuation level and prevent adequate engagement of the parking gear pawl. This does not comply with fmvs no. 114, "theft protection."

  This condition Can cause the vehicle to roll down an incline when the transmission is locked in "park," increasing the risk of personal injury and/or property damage.

  Remedy

  Dealers will install a collar on the transmission parking pawl to ensure proper movement of the actuation lever.

• NHTSA recall #97V220000December 16, 199783 vehicles affected

  seat belts: front: anchorage

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front passenger seat belt retractor mounting bracket was improperly welded.

  This condition Can cause the bracket to separate from the vehicle body in a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect and repair these vehicles.

Other model years

• 1986 54
• 1987 111
• 1988 88
• 1989 86
• 1990 192
• 1991 212
• 1992 206
• 1993 186
• 1994 369
• 1995 543
• 1996 472
• 1997 460
• 1998
• 1999 1,135
• 2000 1,183
• 2001 922
• 2002 1,050
• 2003 1,987
• 2004 1,018
• 2005 656
• 2006 433
• 2007 524
• 2008 1,521
• 2009 727
• 2010 581
• 2011 296
• 2012 373
• 2013 1,427
• 2014 982
• 2015 601
• 2016 612
• 2017 540
• 2018 1,897
• 2019 698
• 2020 366
• 2021 245
• 2022 261
• 2023 88
• 2024 153
• 2025 96