Every recall campaign and owner complaint the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration holds for the 1998 Honda Accord. Nothing on this page is written from memory — it is all imported from NHTSA's public database.
6 recall campaigns filed by Honda for the 1998 Accord, newest first.
| Campaign | Component | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|
| 20V026000 2020-01-17 |
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…
Risk: 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. Fix: 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… |
| 02V120000 2002-05-16 |
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.
Risk: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Fix: 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. |
| 03V423000 2003-10-27 |
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."
Risk: 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. Fix: 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. … |
| 98V018000 1998-02-10 |
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…
Risk: 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. Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COLLAR ON THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL TO ENSURE PROPER MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATION LEVER. |
| 97V220000 1997-12-16 |
Seat Belts Front Anchorage |
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MOUNTING BRACKET WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE BRACKET TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE BODY IN A CRASH. Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. |
| 99V069000 1999-05-10 |
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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED. Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS. |
Summaries are quoted verbatim from NHTSA's official campaign records. A single campaign often covers dozens of model years and several nameplates, so a summary may name vehicles other than the 1998 Accord — that is normal. Every record listed here carries this vehicle's own make, model and model year in NHTSA's database. Whether a recall is still open on a particular car can only be determined by VIN.
1239 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Accord, grouped by the component owners reported. Counts reflect how many owners complained, not how often the fault actually occurs.
| Reported component | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System 5 crash, 3 fire |
270 | |
| Power Train 10 crash, 3 injured |
258 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 111 | |
| Air Bags 34 crash, 24 injured, 1 fatal |
60 | |
| Structure 1 injured |
47 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control 12 crash, 2 injured |
47 | |
| Suspension 1 crash, 1 injured |
42 | |
| Fuel System, Other | 35 | |
| Unknown Or Other 1 crash |
29 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic 1 crash, 1 injured |
28 | |
| Visibility | 25 | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 24 |
A complaint is an unverified owner report. It is a signal about where to look, not proof of a defect.
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaint filings on this model year. These are the owners' own words, not our diagnosis, and each one is a single unverified report.
When I was driving my 98 Honda accord lx . I notice it shuts off itself if hitting a hard bump . Then I noticed online they had folks saying that the ignition switch was beginning to be a big issue . I nearly died after picking my 2 kids up from school the car shut off in the middleof the intersection.it’s even a recall on the insurance app about the same part . Do I need to call Honda myself and I shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for this . Everything shuts off no lies no throttle until I shift in nuetral to crank vehicle up
filed 05/23/2023 · ODI 11523565
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. Additionally, the battery had to be recharged on several occasions in order to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. No repair was performed and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failures. The failure mileage was 155,000.
filed 08/31/2022 · ODI 11482235
TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. IT IS SLIPPING BETWEEN SHIFTS, WHICH LEADS TO SPIKED RPMS BECAUSE OF THE DELAYED SHIFT. THE SHIFT IS ALSO VERY HARSH, WHERE IT JERKS, SHAKES, AND RUMBLES THE CAR. GEARS ALSO GRIND OCCASIONALLY BETWEEN STOP AND FIRST GEAR.
filed 04/01/2017 · ODI 10969836
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR CAR PLEASE SEE BELOW FROM THE OTHER HONDA OWNER'S DESCRIPTION: AT 100,000 MILES MY 1998 HONDA ACCORD BEGAN JERKING AND BUCKING WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AND ALSO WHEN ACCELERATING IN HIGHER GEAR. I WAS ALMOST KILLED BY A SEMI TRUCK BEHIND ME WHEN THE CAR BUCKED AND DECELERATED RAPIDLY. THESE ARE DANGEROUS CARS! THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IN THE LOWER GEARS THE CAR WOULD GO INTO "LIMP MODE" AND I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO DRIVE IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A VERY REPUTABLE MECHANIC AND HE DIAGNOSED A
filed 08/23/2016 · ODI 10898023
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ADDING OIL TO THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED OIL LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND AND NONE APPEARED ON THE DIPSTICK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE OIL SEAL HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT ENGINE SEALS AND ALL PUMPS SEALS WITH AN UPGRADED SEAL RETAINER AS WELL AS THE TIMING BELTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
filed 03/10/2011 · ODI 10389760
THE ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHEN GOING AT SLOW SPEEDS. *TR
filed 08/23/2010 · ODI 10351268
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord Sedan. The contact stated stopped at a traffic light, a second vehicle crashed full onto the rear bumper of her vehicle. The contact stated that her trunk and side rear panels were crushed. The contact stated that the second vehicle crashed her vehicle twice in the rear due to the second vehicle had still been accelerating. The second impact sent the contact's vehicle forward, a second time, into the street curb. The front bumper and the driver-side front tire suffered damage. The bumper was crushed and the driver-side tire had been deflated. The contact st Crash reported
filed 09/23/2022 · ODI 11486061
Honda refuses to replace recalled airbags. I've been trying for a year and even when they "order" the part they don't have it when I arrive. This has happened repeatedly. I was in a car accident today and the airbags didn't deploy and they should have. After reading all the online complaints I feel lucky they didn't deploy and extract flying metal pieces. Its inexcusable to have a recall and then refuse to fix the problem. Honda's negligence could have cost me my life today. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS Crash reported
filed 06/22/2021 · ODI 11421767
A recall only matters if it is open on your car. The lists above are for the model year as a whole; the free official lookup below tells you what applies to your specific 17-character VIN.
Free, official, and takes about thirty seconds. No account needed.
Yes. NHTSA records 6 recall campaigns filed by Honda for the 1998 Accord. The most recent is campaign 20V026000, filed 2020-01-17, covering Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module.
Yes. 1 of the 6 campaigns on record for this model year involve the airbag system. The fix is a free inflator replacement at an authorised dealer.
The most-reported component is Electrical System with 270 of the 1239 owner complaints on file, including 5 reports involving a crash. Complaint counts show where owners report trouble; they are not proof of a defect.
1239 complaints with NHTSA for the 1998 Accord, spread across 112 reported component groups.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's free recall lookup. Recalls are applied per vehicle, so the model-year lists above cannot tell you whether your particular car is covered.