1998 Honda Civic acceleration problems

Filed Jan 27, 2010 · Acceleration · 35,000 miles · PA

While driving on and approaching one of if not the largest socal freeway interchanges, driving at about 70mph or so, back to la from san diego; our 1998 civic lx took control of itself and the speed increased to over 105mph, shaking and thumping. After weaving around pockets of traffic, including using the small shoulders, and all 5 or so lanes, as we approached the massive merging of freeways, panicked, we stomped and banged the floor, dash, everything. As shock wore off we thought we were dead, somehow put car (auto trans) into neutral, I believe we may have turned off the car at some point, the brakes finally started to work. Gas pedal was absolutely not stuck (this model was already repaired due to a floor matt recall), feet were not even on the gas as it started to happen (not in cruise, just shock). The car simply took off. We are forever traumatized by this experience and never thought to report until recent news reports. Approx date is really unknown but the year was 2002 as I soon after bought another car.

Filed Jun 15, 2005 · Acceleration · 68,408 miles · PA

My daughter set the cruise control at 65/67 MPH and the car continued to accelerate. After attempting to tap the brakes and turn the cruise control button off, the car was traveling at 90 MPH. When trying to stop the vehicle she had to desperately press on the brakes using two feet to bring the car to a stop. After the car was stopped, she put the car in neutral with RPM's racing at 7500, she then disengaged the power. She then attempted to restart the vehicle 4 times and the RPM's were still racing at the same level. She had to to be towed for the amount of $325.00 from nj to pa. It was towed to the dealership. Piazza honda told me that she got dirty fuel and it caused a deposit on the throttle body and stretched the cable. They also told me that is she turned the car off it would reset. That was not the case because as stated before the car produced the same response whenever the vehicle was turned on. No deaths - no injuries - no crash but she could of been killed if there was a lot of traffic. Thank god this happened after 8:20 p.m. When there was not much traffic.

Filed Mar 14, 2005 · Acceleration · 30,000 miles · MA

While driving on the highway at approximately 55 MPH driver applied the cruise control and set it on 55 MPH. However, when applying, cruise control vehicle continued to accelerate. Driver had to turn the key off in order to get the vehicle to slow to a stop. Owner contacted the manufacturer, who urged consumer to take vehicle into a dealership. There may or may not be a charge.

Filed Jan 26, 2005 · Acceleration · 52,000 miles · NY · crash

Regarding my 1998 honda passport - stop and go traffic. Put foot on brake and car suddenly accelerated. Put both feet on brake, engine sounded like it had been kicked into passing gear. Brakes were squealing. Rear ended vehicle in front of me. Vehicle I hit jumped forward and my passport continued to rev and lurch forward striking the vehicle again. After the 2nd strike the engine kicked back down. I'm seeing similar reports regarding the passport and it's sister/brother the rodeo. This is dangerous. Thankfully no one was injured this time. This car can't be trusted.

Filed Apr 19, 2004 · Acceleration · 3,570 miles · CA

My accelerator pedal gets stuck and cannot be pressed unless a lot of force is used. When the pedal comes unstuck the car then jumps forward. This makes it very difficult and dangerous to drive, especially in slow traffic and when it rains. I have taken the car to the dealer eight times to repair from june 1998 to november 2002, but they could not repair it, even though honda had a safety recall for this problem. The floor mat never caused the sticking. Now honda says there is nothing wrong with the car and that any possible problems are due to lack of proper maintenance (improper oil and transmission fluids used).

Filed Nov 12, 2003 · Acceleration · 20,000 miles · MA

The vehicle sticks in full throttle and accelerates at a high speed when cruise control is engaged. The dealership replaced a part (part unknown), but the problem recurred. Please provide more details.

Filed Dec 24, 2002 · Acceleration, Airbags · 58,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

I was traveling on a wet road at 40mph. When applied brakes, the body of the vehicle jerked forward abruptly and the brakes locked up on me, causing the vehicle to skid off road. The vehicle hit concrete blocks and totaled the front end. The air bags failed to deploy. Ts

Filed Sep 13, 2001 · Acceleration · NY

When accelerating, pedal left drivers' foot and went down to the floor into a full open position. Vehicle continue to accelerate, even after brakes were applied. After vehicle was put into park, the accelerator went to a close position.

Filed Aug 7, 2001 · Acceleration · WA

When at idle engine revs from 500rpm up to 1500 -2000rpm also when on a hill at a stop the car will roll backwards before engaging and going forward. On above date the car revved up to 4000 RPM before finally engaging and I was able to proceed from the stop. When the car was taken in for servicing I discovered that there had been a "service bulletin" mailed to dealers about this very problem. Honda knew about this particular problem and not made it public. If I had known that this was a symptom of a faulty transmission I would have certainly brought the car in. My waranty has expired 6 mos ago and the repair will not be covered. I have been accused of faulty maintenance because I did not bring in the car to the dealership for oil changes. I feel that this is a potentially dangerous situation as well as costly and that since honda knows that it exists that there should be a recall or at least information made public about this problem.

Filed Sep 18, 2000 · Acceleration, Transmission · CA

Due to a defective transmission system, vehicle slips while driving which causes rpms to go up. This may cause a crash. Dealer said they need to replace transmission. Please provide further information.