1998 honda civic. Consumer writes in regard to 20v‑026. The consumer stated he is still awaiting parts for the recall.
The worst 1998 Honda Civic problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags96
- Electrical88
- Engine56
- Transmission48
- Acceleration29
- Body26
- Visibility24
- Tires18
- Brakes11
- Fuel system11
- Seat belts10
- Suspension9
- Lights7
- Steering7
- Seats6
- Driver assistance2
- Locks2
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Honda Civic
No deployment 47Stalling 42Transmission failure 11Check engine light 9Tire blowout 9Slipping 8Adaptive cruise 7Airbag light 6Jerking 6Loss of power 6Won't start 6Headlights 5Sudden acceleration 5
Recalls 4
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1‑888‑234‑2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1‑800‑255‑6727.
Recall number 20V026000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain compressed natural gas (cng) vehicles, in the event of a severe interior fire in the area of the rear seat, the cng tank may be heated unevenly, preventing the pressure relief device from venting the contents of the tank as designed.
- Risk
- This could result in a tank rupture, explosion, and ejection of the tank from the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a heat insulator material to the rear seat back. An interim owner letter was mailed to owners beginning november 26, 2007. When parts are available, owners will be renotified asking them to bring in their vehicle for repair. Owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 07V512000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started.
- Risk
- Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began june 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009 or acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 02V120000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front passenger air bag modules have been improperly assembled. The cloth flaps covering the folded air bag may have been tucked in too far.
- Risk
- This condition could prevent proper deployment of the air bag. In a crash, an improper air bag deployment could increase the risk of injury to a front seat passenger.
- Remedy
- Dealers will repair the front passenger's air bag module to prevent this problem from occurring.
Recall number 97V193000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 1998 Honda Civic
Defect investigations
Condenser fan motor inoperative
See resume for details.
SQ98012
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Honda Civic 140
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- For vehicles with sci compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel tanks, honda is no longer replacing the fuel tank...
- Due to the floor design, a mispositioned floor mat could prevent the accelerator pedal from returning to...
- Service news article
- Dealer message - this is to inform you that honda service bulletin 06-015, natural gas fuel tank and fuel...
- The fuel tank in all honda natural gas vehicles must be inspected for deterioration or damage every 3...
- Honda: troubleshooting of diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P1456 and P1457
- Honda: the fuel tank and solenoid valve are no longer being replaced together and if fuel tank solenoid...
- Honda: fuel tank assembly warranty information
- Natural gas fuel tank inspection
- Troubleshooting tips for DTC P1381
1998 Honda Civic fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4‑cyl | FWD | 24-30 | 31-39 | 27-34 |
What 1998 Honda Civic owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact’s 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 driver’s side front tire had a blowout. The contact stated that the tread and tire belt had detached, causing the vehicle to drive on the driver’s side front rim. The contact replaced the driver’s 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.
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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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.
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], the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency for speedy resolution. Thanks [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 honda civic. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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
No fix available for recall on drivers air bag and SRS light on due to drivers airbag
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 honda civic. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.
Compare the 1998 Honda Civic
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Other model years
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Questions about the 1998 Honda Civic
Is the 1998 Honda Civic reliable?
Owners have filed 434 complaints about the 1998 Honda Civic, close to a typical Civic model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Honda Civic?
Airbags, with 96 complaints, typically around 140,000 miles. Next is electrical (88).
How many recalls does the 1998 Honda Civic have?
4 recalls, covering air bags, fuel system, other and electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Honda Civic airbags?
Yes, 2 recalls: 20V026000, 97V193000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Honda Civic have bad airbags?
The Honda Civic model years with the most airbags complaints are 2001 (310 complaints), 2002 (242 complaints) and 2006 (181 complaints).
Is there a class action lawsuit over the Honda Civic?
Yes. Class action says Honda and Acura keyless entry makes cars easy to steal and asks for theft protection (November 12, 2026).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Honda Civic get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Honda Civic range from 27 to 34 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 24-30 city and 31-39 highway.
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