While braking, car just died (including dashboard electric) and then difficult to restart. After car started no further incident for a few days. Next, while travelling on highway ~50mph at night, car unexpectedly died (no braking involved) and most, not all electric died (emergency flashers worked). No "check engine light" ever came on, before dashboard blanked out. Ignition switch replaced in 2002 with national recall. Mechanic at a loss. Honda headquarters initially denied a problem existed. Car again stalled a few times while braking to slow down or come to a stop, but assumed it might be "bad gas". Evening of 8/3/2011 travelling at ~50mph, car lost all electric 3 times (dashboard blanked out, but headlights worked), but immediately came back on (as though it "blinked off"), without having to restart it. After parking car, took key out of ignition- it was "burning hot". This time when I called honda headquarters they said it "might" be part of a "second recall", but car had to be checked by honda dealer service staff. If it was the ignition switch, it would be replaced free. It was explained to me that this was not part of a nationwide recall. Result- ignition switch was bad and was replaced free. I was lucky I wasn't killed or seriously injured in a bad crash. Please order a nationwide recall- it could save a life or lives.
1998 Honda Accord: headlights failing or too dim
8 of the 1,199 complaints about the 1998 Honda Accord describe headlights failing or too dim.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 0
Headlights failing or too dim by model year
What owners say
I drive a 98 honda accord sedan. The engine and the whole electrical system died on me while I was driving on I-75. There was sudden loss of power, no hydraulic brakes, no power steering, no head lights, it was so scary. It was very difficult to stop the car and get the car to shoulder. This happened to me twice.
There was condensation inside the headlights, which caused the light beam to reflect, which resulted in poor visibility.
While driving at any speed headlight lenses will pop off of the vehicle. Dealer notified.
While driving at night humidity gets inside right front headlight, making it hard to see. Took to dealer and dealer indicated headlight wasn't sealed properly. *ak
Headlights were very dim. Consumer took vehicle to a mechanic, and mechanic replaced battery. Please provide any further information.
Headlights dim (almost flash) when an accessory is activated. Dealer states it is normal.
Consumer can not visibly see high beam indicator light during the daytime.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1998 Honda Accord headlights
Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 1998 Honda Accord?
8 of 1,199 owner complaints about the 1998 Honda Accord (1%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2008.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Honda Accord?
There are 0 recalls and 5 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Honda Accord
Stalling 137Transmission failure 84Check engine light 74Slipping 50Jerking 45Fuel gauge 43No deployment 29Ball joint 25Sudden acceleration 24Won't start 22Hesitation 21Harsh shifting 17Loss of power 16Grinding brakes 13Won't shift 13Airbag light 12Door locks 10Engine failure 10Power steering loss 10Brake failure 9Tire blowout 9Seat belt 8Knocking 7Adaptive cruise 6Overheating 6Fuel leak 5Fuel smell 5Warning lights 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1998 Honda Accord?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history