Total Complaints
502 filings
HONDA CIVIC · model year
502 NHTSA complaints, 92 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998HONDACIVIC carries 502 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 92 crashes, 3 fires, 60 injuries, and 1 fatality. 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 CIVIC is air bags:frontal with 61 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (40) and electrical system:ignition:switch (38). 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 CIVIC. 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.
Total Complaints
502 filings
Crashes Reported
92 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 61 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 40 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 38 |
| AIR BAGS | 32 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 22 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 17 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 16 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 15 |
| TIRES | 13 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 13 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 11 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 10 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 9 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 8 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 7 |
1998 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO 20V-026. THE CONSUMER STATED HE IS STILL AWAITING PARTS FOR THE RECALL.
The contactâs daughter owns a 1998 Honda Civic equipped with Continental tires, Tire Line: General Altimax RT43, Tire Size: 185/65/R14, DOT Number: 6Y6LWBLJ1221. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driverâs side front tire had a blowout. The contact stated that the tread and tire belt had detached, causing the vehicle to drive on the driverâs side front rim. The contact replaced the driverâs side front tire with the spare tire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who inspected all four tires. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall for the tire. The failure mileage was approximately 123,679.
Mileage: 123,679
FOR RECALL ON A 1998 HONDA CIVIC DX REPLACE AIR BAG ,FUEL TANKERS, IGNITION SWITCH,FLOOR MAT.
FOR RECALL ON A 1998 HONDA CIVIC DX REPLACE AIR BAG ,FUEL TANKERS, IGNITION SWITCH,FLOOR MAT.
FOR RECALL ON A 1998 HONDA CIVIC DX REPLACE AIR BAG ,FUEL TANKERS, IGNITION SWITCH,FLOOR MAT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 HONDA CIVIC COUPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, WHEN SHE CRASHED INTO A TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED COLLARBONE, LEFT KNEE AND RIGHT SHOULDER WAS BRUISED. THE CONTACT DID SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR HER COLLARBONE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE TOWING COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE WAS LOSS. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) AND RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE BACK IN OCTOBER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
WE WERE ON A CITY STREET, APPROACHED AN UNKNOWN DIP IN THE ROAD. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE HEADLINER IS SHREDDED. THERE IS NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER, FENDERS OR HOOD. THE SRS SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON. THE DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK FROM THE FOB. THE SEATBELTS DO APPEAR TO BE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. I HAVE WAITED FOR THE RECALL TO INCLUDE 98'S KNOWING THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE INCLUDED BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO MINE. I DON'T HAVE PICTURES AT THIS TIME BUT WILL PROVIDE.
Mileage: 150,000
WE WERE ON A CITY STREET, APPROACHED AN UNKNOWN DIP IN THE ROAD. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE HEADLINER IS SHREDDED. THERE IS NO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER, FENDERS OR HOOD. THE SRS SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON. THE DOOR LOCKS WON'T WORK FROM THE FOB. THE SEATBELTS DO APPEAR TO BE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. I HAVE WAITED FOR THE RECALL TO INCLUDE 98'S KNOWING THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE INCLUDED BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO MINE. I DON'T HAVE PICTURES AT THIS TIME BUT WILL PROVIDE.
Mileage: 150,000
I RECEIVED THIS RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH ATTACHED, ON MY HONDA CIVIC THAT IS IN EVERYDAY USE AND HAS 160000 MILES ON IT. VIN [XXX], NHTSA RECALL 20V-02600 I CREATED A CASE #[XXX] WITH HONDA AND ATTEMPTED TO HAVE UPDATED INFO ON RECALL REPAIR. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 6 MONTHS SINCE RECALL ANNOUNCED. WITH MULTIPLE CALLS TO HONDA REGARDING THE CASE, I FEEL THAT HONDA IS NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO 1998 VEHICLE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH IT IS VERY MUCH IN USE. I HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY SPECIFIC TIME FRAME FOR REPLACEMENT AIRBAG. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY WHILE DRIVING IT. I AM WRITING TO YOU AS I WAS ADVISED TO BRING IT UP TO NHTSA FOR SPEEDY RESOLUTION. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB
NO FIX AVAILABLE FOR RECALL ON DRIVERS AIR BAG AND SRS LIGHT ON DUE TO DRIVERS AIRBAG
Mileage: 140,000
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. HONDA CITY (501 GRUMMAN RD W, BETHPAGE, NY 11714 (516) 717-4766) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE REMEDY PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED HONDA OF MILFORD LOCATED IN MILFORD, CT, 203-877-2888 AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED THROUGH EMISSIONS THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION HONDA TUCSON AUTO MALL (810 W WETMORE RD, TUCSON, AZ 85705) WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC COUPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED ARROWHEAD HONDA LOCATED AT (8380 W BELL RD, PEORIA, AZ 85382, 623 974-9700) AND STATED THAT THE DEALER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MY AUTO MOBILE DIVISION, ABOUT AN AUTO MOBILE RECALL .
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.