1998 Honda Accord: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Aug 23, 2016 · Transmission · WA

This is exactly what happened to our car please see below from the other honda owner's description: at 100,000 miles my 1998 honda accord began jerking and bucking when shifting from first to second gear and also when accelerating in higher gear. I was almost killed by a semi truck behind me when the car bucked and decelerated rapidly. These are dangerous cars! The check engine light came on and in the lower gears the car would go into "limp mode" and I would have to pull off the road and restart the engine in order to drive it. I took the car to a very reputable mechanic and he diagnosed a complete failure of the transmission and told me this was a known issue with this year and model of honda. To replace the transmission would cost $3,400.00. After researching I have come to learn that it is a manufacturing defect in the transmission that honda has been aware of and has done nothing to rectify. I contacted honda and was told that they "sympathize with the problem I had but because they have no recalls or alerts in their system" there was nothing they would do to help. There have been hundreds of complaints about transmission failure in 1998 honda accords and in my case it almost cost me my life. If you have a similar problem, please report it to the national highway safety administration.

Filed May 31, 2009 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · CO

My 1998 honda accord is having transmission problems. I have had it worked on numerous time with nothing actually fixing the problem. It was a huge waste of money and time. It has a hard time shifting. I was pulling out on to a road that went up hill and on coming traffic almost hit me because my car wouldn't go into gear. Just in time it jerked into gear and I floored it getting out of the way just in time. The on coming car was extremely up set with me and I pulled over to the side of the road to gather myself. I had my transmission fluid changed at jiffy lube and about 2 weeks later the transmission began slipping. That event is what started it all. For all of the complains about the 1998 transmission problems I cant believe they don't see a safety issue. I could have easily cause a wreck that day.

Filed Feb 26, 2008 · Transmission · 40 miles · GA

My 1998 honda accord automatic transmission has failed. There are 130k on it. In sept 2007 the transmission started to slip. When I came to a stop it would jump. The more that I drove it would shift hard into every gear. On oct 30 2007 the transmission began to jump from 1st to 3rd gear and then would not shift into 2nd gear at all. The rpms were at 3k in 1st gear and would begin to jump wildly. I have not been able to drive the car since it is a hazard on the road. It will cost around $1200 for a new transmission which I do not have.

Filed Nov 21, 2007 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · CA

I have a 1998 honda accord lx 4 cylinder 4 door automatic . Vehicle will not shift from park to drive so I had to use a flat-head screw driver to manually release the shift lock. This poses a safety concern.

Filed Oct 4, 2006 · Transmission · 112,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

Driving east on toll road 408 in far right lane going aprox. 60 MPH and transmission (b7xa) down shifting locking the front wheels. Lost control of the car and spun backwards across all left lanes of traffic and then back across all right lanes of traffic and almost hit a light pole. Transmission is slipping and will not shift correctly...transmission is faulty and honda knows it but will do nothing about a recall to protect people/owners.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 82,250 miles · CA

The catalytic converter failed but was under some special extended warranty so I didn't have to pay a cent. But, it failed, and I am not pleased. The second problem which is my major complaint is that I am being told that I will have to replace my transmission on a car that only has 83k miles on it! Honda knows that this is a problem with 98 - 01 accord models, but only extended the warranty to 00-01 models. I believe honda should be force to do a recall! It is very dangerous to be driving in southern california I-5 with a car that doesn't shift properly. Please help all us 98-99 honda accord owners.

Filed Jan 6, 2004 · Transmission · TX

Gear shift would not shift out park, causing the consumer to depress the manual release button in order to release the gear shift problem also caused brake lights to be inoperative.*ak

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 Aug 25, 2003 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · TX

I have a 1998 accord ex, only 75000 miles. At first I heard noices under the vehicle at low speed. Later I notice my transmission fluid leaks and then the noice got louder. The gear seems to slip and not shifting properly when accellerating and decelerating, this occurred more especially at cold start. I then brought the car to my family mechanic and was told that the my transmission need to be rebuilt, that I have a broken bearing which caused the fluid to leak and making all the noices. Later he told me that one of the solenoid shift valve was bad in which caused the transmission to shift out of the ordinary and would not shift up and down at low gear per engine rotational speed (RPM). He told me that if I had driven this vehicle longer it would cost me a fortune to replaced the transmission. If this is the problem with honda, why it's not resolving this issue with a recall. I am so skeptical of buying another honda vehicle. My last 1993 toyota 4runner did not have any problem at 189,000 miles. If yall out there know any info, please let me know. Thanks.

Filed Mar 4, 2003 · Transmission · NY

Transmission jumps when coming to a stop and does not shift smoothly through gears when accelerating. March 4 2003, honda dealership found transmission failed internally and car needs new transmission. Also, on august 5,2002 a complaint was made about the transmission jumping when stopping and a transmission service was performed.

Filed Jul 9, 2002 · Transmission · UT

While stopping at traffic light clutch will engage without warning, causing vehicle to "jump" into intersection and stall. This occurred 1-2 times a day. Vehicle has been checked by dealer. *ak this only happens when vehicle is in 1st gear and reverse. The clutch engages and will not shift out of gear until the vehicle has died. The brakes must be applied firmly because of the vehicle moving irradically. The pressure plate master cylinder and slave cylinder have been replaced.

Filed Sep 17, 2001 · Transmission · WA

When applying clutch it went to the floor and vehicle jumped light. Clutch stuck to floor ,and vehicle was stuck in first gear. Technician told consumer about clutch being faulty. Contacted honda, and honda was suppose to call back, but has not responded.