ACURA INTEGRA · model year

1998 ACURA INTEGRA

24 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1998ACURAINTEGRA carries 24 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 INTEGRA is steering: steering wheel/handle bar with 2 filings, followed by electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery (2) and air bags (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 1998 INTEGRA, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

24
Complaints
8
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

24 filings

Crashes Reported

8 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY2
AIR BAGS2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS1
SEAT BELTS1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.1
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN1
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC1

Recent Complaints

20120221CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT. SINCE MY CAR WAS NOT STRAIGHT, I WANTED TO BACK OUT AND PARK AGAIN. I STEPPED ONTO THE BRAKE, AND SWITCHED TO REVERSE GEAR. AS I PREPARE TO DRIVE BACKWARDS, I RELAXED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE. HOWEVER, MY CAR SUDDENLY ROARED AND CHARGED FORWARD. IT RAN OVER THE CURB, AND KEPT GOING. I HAD TRIED TO BRAKE 2 OR 3 TIMES, BUT THE BRAKE BECAME SO STIFF, IT SIMPLY WOULD NOT STOP. IT FINALLY HIT THE FIRE HYDRATE, TURNING 90 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT, THEN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WAS WATER SPILLED ALL OVER, AND STEAM COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON BRAKE. I WANTED TO PARK, THEN GET OUT OF THE CAR. AS I LOOKED DOWN, IT WAS STILL ON THE REVERSE GEAR. I WAS VERY SHOCKED THAT THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE FORWARD WHILE ON THE REVERSE GEAR, AND THE BRAKE WOULD NOT WORK. IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE FIRE HYDRATE, MY CAR WOULD SURELY HAVE RAN INTO THE BUSY STREET AND HIT THE INCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE DRIVEN THIS CAR SINCE 1998, AND TAKEN MY CAR

Mileage: 179,782

20110124LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

THE HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY BECOMES LOOSE OR NO LONGER FUNCTIONS AS NORMAL WHEN CLOSING THE HOOD. THIS PREVENTS THE HOOD FROM CLOSING COMPLETELY AND MAKES IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS SUCH AS HIGHWAYS WITHOUT RISKING THE HOOD FLIPPING UP OR BREAKING OFF THE VEHICLE WHICH CAN CAUSE DANGEROUS ACCIDENTS. *TR

Mileage: 134,935

20050927FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1988 ACURA INTEGRA LS DRIVING WEST ON ADAMS HILL ST. AT FT. SUMTER IN SAN ANTONIO, TEX., ABOUT 6PM, 09/21/05. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STARTED SPURTING (MISSING) AND THE ENGINE STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT FIRER EXTINGUISHER AND FIRE DEPT. THE ENGINE/ELEC.WIRES WAS TOTALED AND BEYOND REPAIR AND NO REPAIRS DONE TO DATE. REPORT TO FARMERS INS., FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND PROCESS REPORTING TO POLICE. THIS IS FIRST ELECTRICAL FIRE ON THIS CARE SINCE OWNED. APPEARS MAIN FUSE BOX IGNITED. SEEMS LIKE MANUFACTURER DEFECT. QUICK ACTION PREVENTED LOSS OF LIFE. THE IGNITER WAS REPLACED IN THIS CAR AS RESULT OF RECALL. *NM

20040501CrashAIR BAGS

WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A SLIGHT TURN TO RIGHT, (BECAUSE OF BEND IN ROAD), THE STEERING LOCKED AND THEN RELEASED WHICH CAUSED AN OVER COMPENSATION TO THE RIGHT AND RESULTED IN A CRASH INTO A FENCE CAUSING EXTENSIVE PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY CAUSING A MINOR HEAD INJURY. *AK

20030807CrashSUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER STATED WITHIN FOUR YEARS THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN TWO ACCIDENTS. THIS DUE TO LOWER CONTROL ARM BREAKAGE AND EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE BALL JOINTS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BOTH TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE BACK IN EACH INSTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF COMPLETE BALL JOINT AND LOWER CONTROL ARM WORK. *PH *TS *JB

Mileage: 162,000

20030107SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

NHTSA#14845-02-E-020-001 APRIL 4/2000 BALL JOINTS:REPLACEMENT FOR STEERING OR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS: THE MATERIAL USED IN THE MANUFACTURER OF THE SEALING BOOT CAN DETERIORATE OVER TIME PERMITTING FOREIGN OBJECTS SUCH AS WATER, DIRT TO INFILTRATE THE SEALING BOOT CAUSE RUST INSIDE THE BALL JOINTS. TS

20021113POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

NO SUMMARY. DT

20020702STEERING

CONSUMER CAN HEAR POPPING NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

20010419CrashSTEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

WHILE FOLLOWING A SLIGHT CURVE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD AND CRASH AGAINST CEMENT BLOCKS WHICH WERE LINED UP ALONG THE EDGE OF THE ROAD, RESULTING IN DAMAGES IN EXCESS OF 5000.00. ACURA DOES NOT WANT TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND DID NOT WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

20000905CrashAIR BAGS

THIS WAS A 45 MPH FRONT END COLLISION AND NEITHER THE DRIVERS OR THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HIT HEAD AND CHEST ON WINDSHIELD AND DASHBOARD (DRIVER WAS WEARING SEAT-BELT). HAVE CONTACTED LOCAL ACURA DEALER WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED AND THEY REFUSE TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY OR ACTION REGARDING THIS MATTER. I HAVE OWNED OTHER CARS WHERE A 15 MPH FRONT END COLLISION HAS CAUSED AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. ACRUA HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.

20000503SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSES TO FIX PROBLEM. CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK

20000407ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

BATTERY LEAKS, OCCURRED TWICE- BY SEPARATE UNITS - COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE BY BURNING HOLE IN CHARCOAL CANISTER (POST EMMISSIONS STORAGE 3-31). SECOND INCIDENT DISCOVERED 9-12, COULD HAVE TRAUMATIC IMPACT ON ABS MOTOR RELAY SYSTEM(WIRE HARNESS DIRECTLY UNDER BATTERY MOUNT).

20000407ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

BATTERY LEAKS, OCCURRED TWICE- BY SEPARATE UNITS - COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE BY BURNING HOLE IN CHARCOAL CANISTER (POST EMMISSIONS STORAGE 3-31). SECOND INCIDENT DISCOVERED 9-12, COULD HAVE TRAUMATIC IMPACT ON ABS MOTOR RELAY SYSTEM(WIRE HARNESS DIRECTLY UNDER BATTERY MOUNT).

20000322ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

PURGE CONTROL VALVE FAILED. YH

19991029VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

SUN ROOF MALFUNCTIONS. YH

19990930ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

HORN FAILED. YH

19990913ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

BATTERY LEAKS, OCCURRED TWICE- BY SEPERATE UNITS - COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE BY BURNING HOLE IN CHARCOAL CANISTER (POST EMMISSIONS STORAGE 3-31). SECOND INCIDENT DISCOVERED 9-12, COULD HAVE TRAUMATIC IMPACT ON ABS MOTOR RELAY SYSTEM(WIRE HARNESS DIRECTLY UNDER BATTERY MOUNT).

19990908VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

WINDOW MOTOR FAILURE.

19990730EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

STEREO CD PLAYER IS NOT WORKING. YH

19990217CrashFatalSTRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

I AM NOT THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER WAS MY NIECE JILLIAN TENNYSON, SHE AND HER SISTER ALLISON TENNYSON WERE BOTH KILLED IN CAR ACCIDENT ON 1/2/99. THEIR CAR WAS SPLIT IN 2 DIRECTLY BEHIND THE FRONT SEATS. THE STATE TROOPERS SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR DO THIS. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR WAS A HOT CUBE OF BUTTER SLICED IN 2. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND ,THE CAR HAS A "UNIBODY" WHICH I UNDERSTAND TO BE ALL ONE PIECE. AFTER THE CAR SPLIT INTO 2. THE DRIVERS SEAT FAILED. IT FELL COMPLETELY BACKWARDS WHICH ALLOWED MY NIECE TO BE EJECTED OUT OF THE BACK OF THE CAR, OR LACK THERE OF. MY INTENT IS NOT TO GO AFTER ACURA. I WANT THE CAR INVESTIGATED TO BE SURE THAT IT WASN'T FAULTY. IF WE FIND IT WAS I ONLY WANT TO HAVE THIS INFORMATION TO AVOID ANY FURTHER SITUATIONS LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR FAMILY. MAYBE A RECALL IS NEEDED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONCIDERATION. *AK

Compare 1998ACURAINTEGRA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1998 ACURA INTEGRA have?
The 1998 ACURA INTEGRA has 24 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 ACURA INTEGRA?
The most-complained component for the 1998 ACURA INTEGRA is STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY and AIR BAGS.
Is the 1998 ACURA INTEGRA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.