1998 Honda Civic airbags problems

96 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 140,000. 64 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 96
of this car's complaints: 22%
typical mileage: 140,000
crashes: 64
recalls: 2

Which part fails

Frontal
60
Frontal: sensor/control module
3
On-off switch assembly
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Honda Civic airbags problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Honda Civic airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

No deployment 47 Airbag light 6

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported January 17, 2020 · 1,439,841 vehicles affected

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

Air bags: frontalReported November 1, 1997 · 9,558 vehicles affected

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

What 1998 Honda Civic owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 23, 2023 · Airbags · MI

1998 honda civic. Consumer writes in regard to 20v‑026. The consumer stated he is still awaiting parts for the recall.

Filed Feb 11, 2021 · Airbags, Fuel system · CA

For recall on a 1998 honda civic dx replace air bag ,fuel tankers, ignition switch,floor mat.

Filed Dec 18, 2020 · Airbags · NC · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Oct 7, 2020 · Airbags · CA

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.

Filed Sep 13, 2020 · Airbags · 150,000 miles · WA

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.

Filed Aug 25, 2020 · Airbags · NC

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).

Filed Aug 4, 2020 · Airbags · TX

Filed Jul 11, 2020 · Airbags · 140,000 miles · AR

No fix available for recall on drivers air bag and SRS light on due to drivers airbag

Filed Jun 15, 2020 · Airbags · NY

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.

Filed Jun 11, 2020 · Airbags · CT

Tl* 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 the part was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Questions about the 1998 Honda Civic airbags

Does the 1998 Honda Civic have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 96 complaints about the airbags of the 1998 Honda Civic, 22% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1998 Honda Civic airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 140,000 miles.

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).