The 1998 Honda CR-V has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,540,732 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 136 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. 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 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN IMPROPERLY ROUTED UNDER DASH WIRE HARNESS COULD BE DAMAGED BY CONTACT WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A BLOWN FUSE. IF THIS OCCURS, OPERATION OF A CRITICAL COMPONENT CAN BE LOST, INCLUDING WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LAMPS,…
Consequence
A SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LIGHTING OR A FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN BAD WEATHER, COULD BE HAZARDOUS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A 70MM PROTECTIVE, CORRUGATED PLASTIC TUBE OVER THE WIRE HARNESS, IN THE AREA OF THE BRAKE STOP SWITCH. IF ANY WIRE OR WIRES ARE DAMAGED, THEY WILL BE REPAIRED.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
18
AIR BAGS
13
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
13
ENGINE
6
1crashes
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
6
TIRES
6
1crashes
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
5
5crashes4injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
4
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints136
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I was driving normally, going 47mph & accelerating as I was about to merge into traffic on high way, when my cars engine suddenly died. I dident even notice at first because it happened suddenly and quietly. I only noticed because the steering locked up and I found it very difficult to turn the…”
“I was driving normally, going 47mph & accelerating as I was about to merge into traffic on high way, when my cars engine suddenly died. I dident even notice at first because it happened suddenly and quietly. I only noticed because the steering locked up and I found it very difficult to turn the…”
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 honda cr-v. The contact received notification of nhtsa 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…”
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 honda cr-v. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 honda cr-v. The contact stated the vehicle was serviced under nhtsa campaign number: 02v120000 (electrical system), however the failure recurred. The contact stated that while vehicle was at a stand still, she was unable to insert the key in the ignition. The vehicle…”
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 honda cr-v. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called cardinal honda (531 ct-12, groton, ct 06340; [REDACTED]) where it was confirmed that…”
“The airbags in the 1998 honda crv's have been found to be defective with no remedy, which is absolutely unacceptable in a vehicle over 20 years old. This vehicle is used to transport my family and it is unbelievable that honda can allow such a fatal problem to go unsolved for so many years. They…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 honda cr-v. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer lee's summit honda located at 401 ne colbern rd, lee's summit, mo 64806 was contacted and…”
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 CR-V as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.