The 1998 Honda Accord has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,162,626 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1,429 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS20V0260002020-01-171,439,841 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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…
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND PREVENT PROPER INTERLOCK OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."
Consequence
IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT SHIFT TO "PARK" BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF CYLINDER BODY WEAR. IF SIGNIFICANT WEAR IS INDICATED, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CYLINDER BODY, COLLAR, AND LATCH PLATE. IF NO SIGNS OF WEAR ARE INDICATED, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LATCH PLATE WITH A REDESIGNED PART. OWNER NOTIFICATION…
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.
Consequence
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.
SUSPENSION99V0690001999-05-10124,875 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
POWER TRAIN98V0180001998-02-1033,966 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES (HONDA ACCORD SEDANS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 18, 1997 TO JANUARY 10, 1998; COUPES MANUFACTURED DECEMBER 11, DECEMBER 15, 1997, AND JANUARY 5, 1998; ACURA 2.3CL MANUFACTURED OCTOBER 22, 1997 THROUGH JANUARY 7, 1998). DURING MANUFACTURING, THE CASTING DIE CAUSED AN…
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN AN INCLINE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED IN "PARK," INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COLLAR ON THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL TO ENSURE PROPER MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATION LEVER.
SEAT BELTS97V2200001997-12-1683 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MOUNTING BRACKET WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE BRACKET TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE BODY IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THESE VEHICLES.
Complaints by component
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
204
7crashes5injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
143
5crashes1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
98
4crashes3injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
50
3crashes
AIR BAGS
49
19crashes21injuries2deaths
STRUCTURE:BODY
41
2crashes4injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
41
14crashes6injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
33
2crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
33
SUSPENSION
31
2crashes2injuries
Total complaints1,429
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“When I was driving my 98 honda accord lx . I notice it shuts off itself if hitting a hard bump . Then I noticed online they had folks saying that the ignition switch was beginning to be a big issue . I nearly died after picking my 2 kids up from school the car shut off in the middleof the…”
“The contact owns an evenflo car seat, model number: 36412348, model type: nurture max, manufactured date: 8/17/2022. The car seat was being utilized in a 1998 honda accord. The contact stated that she noticed that the latches on the left and right side of the safety seat failed to attach as…”
“The contact owns a 1998 honda accord sedan. The contact stated stopped at a traffic light, a second vehicle crashed full onto the rear bumper of her vehicle. The contact stated that her trunk and side rear panels were crushed. The contact stated that the second vehicle crashed her vehicle twice in…”
“The contact owns a 1998 honda accord. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. Additionally, the battery had to be recharged on several occasions in order to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was…”
“Honda refuses to replace recalled airbags. I've been trying for a year and even when they "order" the part they don't have it when I arrive. This has happened repeatedly. I was in a car accident today and the airbags didn't deploy and they should have. After reading all the online complaints I…”
“During the normal speed on the 40 mile per hour street transmission suddenly stack and the vehicle did not accelerate more than 30 mile per hour .after that date this condition continues on and off .on the other side the transmission changes the speed only in 1st and 2nd gear. All nesessary…”
“During the normal speed on the 40 mile per hour street transmission suddenly stack and the vehicle did not accelerate more than 30 mile per hour .after that date this condition continues on and off .on the other side the transmission changes the speed only in 1st and 2nd gear. All nesessary…”
“05/12/1999 manufacturer safety elated recall issued , nhtsa #99v-069 recall # k59 1997-98 honda ball joint safety recall. When I took my vehicle in for the repairs to be made , service agent told me it was be 5 days to get part. Service ask me if I wanted to wait, I replied yes 12/07/2020,today…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA03017 Opened 2003-09-09 · closed 2003-12-17
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
SIX OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE OF HONDA COMPLAINTS, AS WELL AS FOUR OF THE CRASHES.THE ONE INJURY OCCURRED WHEN A ROLLAWAY VEHICLE STRUCK THE EXITING OPERATOR WHO HAD INADVERTENTLY PARKED THE VEHICLE IN AN UNSECURED STATE (NOT IN PARK, BRAKE NOT ENGAGED).HONDA IDENTIFIED THE WARRANTY CLAIMS FROM COMPLAINT…
InvestigationEA03017 Opened 2003-09-09 · closed 2003-12-17
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
SIX OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE OF HONDA COMPLAINTS, AS WELL AS FOUR OF THE CRASHES.THE ONE INJURY OCCURRED WHEN A ROLLAWAY VEHICLE STRUCK THE EXITING OPERATOR WHO HAD INADVERTENTLY PARKED THE VEHICLE IN AN UNSECURED STATE (NOT IN PARK, BRAKE NOT ENGAGED).HONDA IDENTIFIED THE WARRANTY CLAIMS FROM COMPLAINT…
InvestigationPE02072 Opened 2002-10-02 · closed 2003-03-28
SEAT FRAME BRACKET FAILURE
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON 10 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS IN THE ODI DATABASE ALLEGING THAT THE POWER ASSISTED SEATS WERE FAILING IN CERTAIN 1998-2002 HONDA ACCORD VEHICLES.FAILURES ARE CONCENTRATED IN THE 1998-99 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES.THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT BOTTOM TO THE SEAT BASE IS FRACTURING DUE TO: 1-THE WELD…
InvestigationPE03014 Opened 2003-04-15 · closed 2003-09-05
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM
SIX OF THE ODI COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE OF THE MANUFACTURER COMPLAINTS, AS WELL AS FOUR OF THE CRASHES.THE NOTED INJURY OCCURRED WHEN A ROLLAWAY VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN INADVERTENTLY PARKED IN NEUTRAL STRUCK THE EXITING OPERATOR.THE WARRANTY CLAIM COUNT SHOWN FOR OTHER REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE HONDA'S ANALYSIS OF…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Honda Accord as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.