HONDA ACCORD · model year

1998 HONDA ACCORD

1429 NHTSA complaints, 133 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1998HONDAACCORD carries 1429 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 133 crashes, 3 fires, 95 injuries, and 3 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 ACCORD is power train:automatic transmission with 204 filings, followed by electrical system:ignition:switch (143) and electrical system (98). 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 11 investigation files overlapping the 1998 ACCORD, 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.

1429
Complaints
133
Crashes
3
Fires
95
Injuries
3
Deaths

Total Complaints

1429 filings

Crashes Reported

133 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION204
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH143
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM98
UNKNOWN OR OTHER50
AIR BAGS49
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL41
STRUCTURE:BODY41
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE33
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING33
SUSPENSION31
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION30
POWER TRAIN28
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL26
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER25
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE23

Recent Complaints

20230523ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

20230308CHILD SEAT:LATCH CONNECTOR/CLIP

The contact owns an Evenflo Car Seat, Model Number: 36412348, Model Type: Nurture Max, Manufactured Date: 8/17/2022. The car seat was being utilized in a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact stated that she noticed that the latches on the left and right side of the safety seat failed to attach as designed. Additionally, the pull latch snapped from the safety seat. The safety seat was not inspected or replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the car seat was still in use, just without the base. The manufacturer instructed the contact to destroy the defective seat once the replacement arrived.

20220923CrashAIR BAGS

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 stated that the air bags did not deploy. The contact said she hit the steering wheel with her chest and was rendered unconscious, she had bruises on both feet, shins, and knees. The contact had not been able to move her arms without pain and had pain in her chest, and collar bones. The contact thinks she had hit the side and roof of her vehicle with her head because the top of her head and the left

Mileage: 178,000

20220831ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 155,000

20210622CrashAIR BAGS

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

20210207POWER TRAIN

DURING THE NORMAL SPEED ON THE 40 MILE PER HOUR STREET TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY STACK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 30 MILE PER HOUR .AFTER THAT DATE THIS CONDITION CONTINUES ON AND OFF .ON THE OTHER SIDE THE TRANSMISSION CHANGES THE SPEED ONLY IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. ALL NESESSARY TRANSMISSION ADJUSTMENTS HAS BEEN DONE. ORAL MECHANICAL ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR COSTS $ 2200

Mileage: 140,000

20210207VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DURING THE NORMAL SPEED ON THE 40 MILE PER HOUR STREET TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY STACK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 30 MILE PER HOUR .AFTER THAT DATE THIS CONDITION CONTINUES ON AND OFF .ON THE OTHER SIDE THE TRANSMISSION CHANGES THE SPEED ONLY IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. ALL NESESSARY TRANSMISSION ADJUSTMENTS HAS BEEN DONE. ORAL MECHANICAL ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR COSTS $ 2200

Mileage: 140,000

20210131CrashAIR BAGS

I WAS IN A BAD ACCIDENT I WAS IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE ON THE HIGHWAY I'M GOING 55MPH SOMEONE JUMPED IN FRONT OF ME I USED MY BREAKS THEN MY CAR JERKED RIGHT INTO THE OTHER PERSON CAR CAUSING MY CAR TO SPIN AROUND 2 TIME ON A 6 LANE HIGHWAY . THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED THE STARING WHEEL WAS NOT TURNING LOTS OF FLUIDS LEAKING OUT OF IT BUT IT WAS ALWAYS JERKING FOR SOME REASON EVEN WHEN THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT'S NATURAL..

Mileage: 100,000

20210131CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS IN A BAD ACCIDENT I WAS IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE ON THE HIGHWAY I'M GOING 55MPH SOMEONE JUMPED IN FRONT OF ME I USED MY BREAKS THEN MY CAR JERKED RIGHT INTO THE OTHER PERSON CAR CAUSING MY CAR TO SPIN AROUND 2 TIME ON A 6 LANE HIGHWAY . THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED THE STARING WHEEL WAS NOT TURNING LOTS OF FLUIDS LEAKING OUT OF IT BUT IT WAS ALWAYS JERKING FOR SOME REASON EVEN WHEN THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT'S NATURAL..

Mileage: 100,000

20210131CrashSTEERING

I WAS IN A BAD ACCIDENT I WAS IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE ON THE HIGHWAY I'M GOING 55MPH SOMEONE JUMPED IN FRONT OF ME I USED MY BREAKS THEN MY CAR JERKED RIGHT INTO THE OTHER PERSON CAR CAUSING MY CAR TO SPIN AROUND 2 TIME ON A 6 LANE HIGHWAY . THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED THE STARING WHEEL WAS NOT TURNING LOTS OF FLUIDS LEAKING OUT OF IT BUT IT WAS ALWAYS JERKING FOR SOME REASON EVEN WHEN THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT'S NATURAL..

Mileage: 100,000

20210130CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

MY CAR KEPT JERKING IT ALSO HAD STOP WHILE MY FEET WAS ON THE METAL WHILE ON EXIT 41 MY CAR SPIN AROUND AND ALMOST COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER CAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT

Mileage: 100,000

20210130CrashSERVICE BRAKES

MY CAR KEPT JERKING IT ALSO HAD STOP WHILE MY FEET WAS ON THE METAL WHILE ON EXIT 41 MY CAR SPIN AROUND AND ALMOST COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER CAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT

Mileage: 100,000

20210130CrashWHEELS

MY CAR KEPT JERKING IT ALSO HAD STOP WHILE MY FEET WAS ON THE METAL WHILE ON EXIT 41 MY CAR SPIN AROUND AND ALMOST COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER CAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT

Mileage: 100,000

20210130CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

I'M IN THE RIGHT LANE ON EXIT 41 HIGHWAY MY CAR KEPT JERKING THEN SOMEONE JUMPED IN FRONT OF ME AS SOON AS I HIT THE BREAKS THE BREAKS SENT OUT AND HIT THE LADY WHO JUMPED IN FRONT OF ME AND THEN THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WHEEL BEFORE THEN MY CAR WAS LEAKING .*DT*JB

Mileage: 100,000

20210130CrashSERVICE BRAKES

I'M IN THE RIGHT LANE ON EXIT 41 HIGHWAY MY CAR KEPT JERKING THEN SOMEONE JUMPED IN FRONT OF ME AS SOON AS I HIT THE BREAKS THE BREAKS SENT OUT AND HIT THE LADY WHO JUMPED IN FRONT OF ME AND THEN THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WHEEL BEFORE THEN MY CAR WAS LEAKING .*DT*JB

Mileage: 100,000

20210130CrashWHEELS

I'M IN THE RIGHT LANE ON EXIT 41 HIGHWAY MY CAR KEPT JERKING THEN SOMEONE JUMPED IN FRONT OF ME AS SOON AS I HIT THE BREAKS THE BREAKS SENT OUT AND HIT THE LADY WHO JUMPED IN FRONT OF ME AND THEN THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WHEEL BEFORE THEN MY CAR WAS LEAKING .*DT*JB

Mileage: 100,000

20201215SUSPENSION

05/12/1999 MANUFACTURER SAFETY ELATED RECALL ISSUED , NHTSA #99V-069 RECALL # K59 1997-98 HONDA BALL JOINT SAFETY RECALL. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE MADE , SERVICE AGENT TOLD ME IT WAS BE 5 DAYS TO GET PART. SERVICE ASK ME IF I WANTED TO WAIT, I REPLIED YES 12/07/2020,TODAY 12/15/2020 I WAS TOLD IT COULD NOT BE DONE , I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT IT MAYBE IMPOSSIBLE TO RECEIVE PARTS FOR REPLACING THOSE BALL JOINTS AND THAT MY VEHICLE HAD AFTER MARKET PARTS , AND REGRETTABLY THAT DEALERSHIP COULD NOT PERFORM THOSE RECALLS , I AM CURRENTLY OUT OF TOWN WHERE I LEFT MY VEHICLE . THE DEALERSHIP MIGHT NOT EVEN HAVE A REPORT OF MY REPAIRS FOR THOSE RECALLS , 12/15/2020 WAS TOLD IT ITS WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP WITHOUT THOSE REPAIRS , I ALSO OFFERED TO PAY FOR MY OWN REPAIRS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT EVEN POSSIBLE FOR THAT DEALERSHIP TO PERFORM THOSE REPAIRS. *DT*JB

20201210AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED HUGGINS HONDA (7551 NE LOOP 820, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX 76180, (855) 902-9103) AND WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE, AND PLACED ON A WAITING LIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20201028CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE HEAD ON AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY UPON IMPACT BUT FAILED TO INFLATE AS NEEDED. DUE TO THE AIR BAG FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS AIRLIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE SHE WAS TREATED FOR A BROKEN RIGHT RIB, A FRACTURED LEFT FIBULA, AND OTHER SEVERE INJURIES TO HER LEFT LEG AND ARM THAT REQUIRED SURGERY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AFTER BEING DEEMED TOTALED AT THE SCENE. LATER ON, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) WHICH SHE THEN LINKED TO HER FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MATTER AND WAS INFORMED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CALL HER BACK; THE CONTACT HAD YET TO HEAR FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.*DT*JB

Mileage: 170,000

20201013AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO SCHOLFIELD HONDA (7017 E KELLOGG DR, WICHITA, KS 67207; (316) 688-6400) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Compare 1998HONDAACCORD to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1998 HONDA ACCORD have?
The 1998 HONDA ACCORD has 1429 NHTSA complaints, 133 crashes, 3 fires, 95 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 HONDA ACCORD?
The most-complained component for the 1998 HONDA ACCORD is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 204 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 1998 HONDA ACCORD 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.