1998 Honda Accord: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Feb 13, 2009 · Acceleration · 90,000 miles · MO · crash

I was trying to park my 1998 honda accord into a parking spot in front of a hallmark store and right before I tried to put the car in park and shut off the ignition, my car accelerated suddenly on its own and went through the plate glass windows in the front of the store. I had my foot on the brake and was trying to get it to stop and it went through the plate glass window in a split second. I did not have time to think, it happened so fast. I was not hurt and the employees were not hurt, but seconds before the crash, the employees were standing behind the counter waiting on a customer and they had just went out on the floor right before it crashed through their window and up to their registers. They missed being hurt by a few seconds. I reported the incident to our insurance company, so they can investigate further. I also called 1-800-honda and reported the incident and their response was that my extended warranty had run out and what did I expect them to do about it. I told them they should investigate and maybe keep someone from getting killed or seriously injured. We found a website called allworldauto.com that lists several incidents having to do with the vehicle speed control that suddenly accelerated on its own causing numerous accidents around the u.s. Honda's mechanics just said all the incidents were due to driver error, but everyone that wrote in about their incidents know, the same as I do, that is was not caused by driver's error at all. Police tried to say my foot was also on the edge of the foot feet as well as on the brake and I know that was not true. I was almost completely stopped when my car accelerated on its own and I had my foot on the brake as hard as I could.

Filed Jan 31, 2007 · Transmission · 93,122 miles · FL

Tl* - the contact stated that while driving the 1998 honda accord at 45 MPH the engine light came on, and the contact pulled to the side of the road. The vehicle hesitated then surged forward. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, who ran a diagnostic test on the vehicle and recommended a new transmission. The failure had occurred 45 times.

Filed Sep 14, 2005 · Acceleration, Brakes · 70,000 miles · MN · crash

Dt: the consumer was easing into a parking space with the brakes depressed when the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a cement wall. This accident occurred on june 7, 2005. The consumer stated that she had previous problems with the vehicle surging forward at a stop light. The consumer had not taken vehicle to the dealership before for this problem. After the accident consumer took vehicle to the dealer be repaired. They did not tell her what had caused the accident. When the consumer contacted the manufacture they told her that she should get a diagnostic test at her own expense.

Filed Jun 23, 2004 · Acceleration, Airbags · 43,456 miles · TX · crash

While pulling inside of a parking lot, the vehicle surged forward. The consumer applied the brakes, the vehicle continued to speed, and crashed into a brick wall. Upon impact, both air bags deployed. *ak

Filed Jan 30, 2004 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · CA · crash

Upon exiting a parking lot at 15 MPH engine revved and vehicle surged forward, and was rear ended by another vehicle. Dealership determined that transmission failure caused the problem. However, dealership didn't specify the specific failure, they just said that transmission needed to be replaced.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 62,000 miles · WI · crash

This is my mothers car (1998 honda accord ex-vl) which was totaled in an accident due to a sudden unintended acceleration.my wife was the first owner of the vehicle and my mother has had the car for about 2 years. She had stopped, put the car into park, got out to open a parking lot gate, got back in, stepped on the brake, and shifted the car into gear. It immediately went into a high rev and accelerated uncontrollably resulting in the car smashing into a wall about 60' away. Luckily the air bags worked and neither her or my step father were seriously hurt. Her foot was definitely on the brake pedal as there is a lockout mechanism that prevents the car from being taken out of park if the brake pedal is not pushed. This may or may not be related, but she was having difficulty getting the handle to move. The problem with it not moving had occurred previously, usually on a slight incline, but the honda dealer looked at it and told her nothing was wrong. My mother is a retired bus driver with a perfect driving record, no accidents, and only uses one foot to control the vehicle.

Filed Oct 1, 2003 · Acceleration, Transmission · MA

The clutch engaged and would not shift out of gear until vehicle died. Brakes had to be applied firmly because vehicle was moving erratically. Consumer went into web side, and found the same problem she had as stated in complaint #8013574, filed on june 1, 2002. Also, vehicle experienced suddenly acceleration.

Filed Sep 27, 2002 · Transmission · RI

Consumer states that when starting the vehicle with a remote starter the vehicle surged forward into a bush. The vehicle was in park. Contacted dealer and the dealer is taking a look at the vehicle.

Filed Jul 18, 2002 · Acceleration · SC

While driving vehicle jerks constantly at speed of 45mph and higher. Vehicle was checked by dealer who stated engine was fine. Consumer very concerned that vehicle will suddenly accelerate and cause a collision.

Filed May 2, 2002 · Acceleration · NY · crash

Consumer states, was pulling out in reverse, vehicle went out of control forwards and backards and was stopped by a concrete wall. Dealer has not been contacted.*jbthis sudden acceleration happened once prior to previous accident. Consumer reported incident but to no avail. Consumer was backing out slowly when with out warning, vehicle accelerated out of control.

Filed Dec 28, 2001 · Acceleration · IN

Gas pedal sticks continually after cold starts or short periods of not running. Excessive and hard pressure must be applied to gas pedal, evidently to engage the throttle plate and/or throttle linkage. The surprising result to the driver is that the vehicle will lunge forward, often squealing tires, in a speedy and dangerously uncontrolled manner. Can be a potential safety problem, especially if driving in confined areas, parking lots or around predestrians. Our son recently purchased a 1998 honda accord, which had developed the same problem. Honda customer relations office admits a service bulletin was released to its dealers about this problem but will not acknowledge it being a safety issue. I have owned 1981, 1987, still own a 1993 honda accord among other makes and models and have never experienced gas pedals that bind and stick like the one in this 1998 honda accord.

Filed Dec 14, 2001 · Acceleration · IN

When the engine is first started after the vehicle has sat for a breif period of time, the gas pedal sticks causing the vehicle to lunge forward. I feel that this is a safety concern because it may endanger citizens in parking lots and other areas when trying to gently manuever the vehicle. Honda was contacted and they felt that is was not a safety concern and refused to pay for the problem caused by this faulty throttle box. Thank you, [xxx]. *ak parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).