AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
1998 Honda Accord
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 1,200 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Honda Accord, most frequently naming the electrical, transmission and engine categories. 19 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 255 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2014 | 2 | 1,094 |
| Nov 2014 | 2 | 1,096 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 1,097 |
| Jan 2015 | 3 | 1,100 |
| Feb 2015 | 2 | 1,102 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 1,103 |
| Apr 2015 | 3 | 1,106 |
| May 2015 | 2 | 1,108 |
| Jun 2015 | 3 | 1,111 |
| Jul 2015 | 4 | 1,115 |
| Aug 2015 | 3 | 1,118 |
| Sep 2015 | 3 | 1,121 |
| Oct 2015 | 4 | 1,125 |
| Nov 2015 | 3 | 1,128 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 1,129 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 1,130 |
| Apr 2016 | 2 | 1,132 |
| May 2016 | 3 | 1,135 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 1,136 |
| Jul 2016 | 2 | 1,138 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 1,139 |
| Sep 2016 | 1 | 1,140 |
| Nov 2016 | 1 | 1,141 |
| Jan 2017 | 2 | 1,143 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 1,144 |
| Mar 2017 | 2 | 1,146 |
| Apr 2017 | 2 | 1,148 |
| May 2017 | 1 | 1,149 |
| Jun 2017 | 1 | 1,150 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 1,151 |
| Oct 2017 | 2 | 1,153 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 1,154 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 1,155 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 1,156 |
| Mar 2018 | 2 | 1,158 |
| May 2018 | 1 | 1,159 |
| Jul 2018 | 2 | 1,161 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 1,162 |
| Sep 2018 | 2 | 1,164 |
| Nov 2018 | 1 | 1,165 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 1,166 |
| Feb 2019 | 1 | 1,167 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 1,168 |
| Aug 2019 | 1 | 1,169 |
| Mar 2020 | 1 | 1,170 |
| Apr 2020 | 1 | 1,171 |
| May 2020 | 4 | 1,175 |
| Jun 2020 | 4 | 1,179 |
| Jul 2020 | 1 | 1,180 |
| Aug 2020 | 3 | 1,183 |
| Sep 2020 | 4 | 1,187 |
| Oct 2020 | 2 | 1,189 |
| Dec 2020 | 2 | 1,191 |
| Jan 2021 | 3 | 1,194 |
| Feb 2021 | 1 | 1,195 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 1,196 |
| Aug 2022 | 1 | 1,197 |
| Sep 2022 | 1 | 1,198 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 1,199 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 1,200 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical31323.3%
- Transmission24818.5%
- Engine15311.4%
- Fuel system826.1%
- Airbags795.9%
- Body & structure775.7%
- Driver assistance695.1%
- Suspension624.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
19 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
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 DESCRIPTIONS THAT CONTENDED THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY.HONDA PRESENTED THE RESULTS OF THEIR INVESTIGATION INTO INTERLOCK SYSTEM FAILURES AT AN OCTOBER 16, 2003 MEETING WITH ODI IN WHICH HONDA IDENTIFIED A SUPPLIER AND AN ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION CHANGE FOR THE IGNITION CYLINDER BODY (CB), A SUBCOMPONENT OF THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY.RESULTS FROM HONDA?S ANALYSIS DEMONSTRATED A STRONG CORRELATION BETWEEN THE PRODUCTION DATE RANGE OF VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCED HIGHER INTERLOCK WARRANTY CLAIM RATES AND THE IMPLEMENTATION DATES OF THE CHANGES.AN ENGINEERING SPECIFICATION FOR A SURFACE TREATMENT PROCESS FOR THE CB WAS ELIMINATED AT THE BEGINNING OF MY 1998.THE SUPPLIER OF THE CB WAS CHANGED IN FEBRUARY 1999.VEHICLES BUILT WITHIN THIS TIME PERIOD CONTAIN A CB WITH POOR SURFACE HARDNESS THAT CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.AS THE WEAR PROGRESSES, THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM BECOMES INCAPABLE OF PREVENTING KEY REMOVAL WHEN THE SHIFTER IS IN A NON-PARK POSITION.INTERLOCK FAILURE INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ROLLAWAY AND SUBSEQUENT CRASH OR INJURY WHEN VEHICLES ARE PARKED UNSECURED.HONDA ACCORD VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS CHANGE INCLUDE MY 1998 AND MY 1999 THROUGH FEBRUARY 1999 PRODUCTION.VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER THIS DATE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS CONDITION AND THUS ARE NOT CONSIDERED AT RISK FOR FAILURE.ODI NOTES THAT 12 OF THE 13 VOQ REPORTS FALL WITHIN THIS PRODUCTION RANGE (THE 13TH DOES NOT HAVE A VIN AND CANNOT BE VERIFIED).THE ABOVE POPULATION REPRESENTS THE NUMBER OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES TO BE RECALLED.HONDA ALSO REPORTED THAT CERTAIN ODYSSEY AND ACURA CL AND TL MODELS WERE AFFECTED AND WOULD ALSO BE RECALLED.A TOTAL OF 570,120 VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED.UNDER RECALL 03V-423, HONDA WILL INSPECT VEHICLES AND REPLACE COMPONENTS (INCLUDING THE CB) ON VEHICLES WITH EXCESSIVE WEAR.VEHICLES NOT SHOWING WEAR WILL HAVE A REDESIGNED PART INSTALLED WHICH PREVENTS WEAR.
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 CLAIM DETAIL INDICATES THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM UTILIZES A LEVER TO BLOCK IGNITION KEY REMOVAL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT IN PARK.HONDA HAS IDENTIFIED A WEAR CONDITION OF THE INTERLOCK LEVER THAT CAN CAUSE THE SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION; WHEN WEAR OCCURS THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE SHIFTER IS IN A NON-PARK POSITION.HONDA DOCUMENTS INDICATE THAT A MANUFACTURING PROCESS MAY BE THE CAUSE OF INTERLOCK LEVER WEAR, AND THAT THIS PROCESS WAS REVISED IN JANUARY OF 2001.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WILL BE OPENED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN AND ITS SCOPE.
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 CONDITION OF BRACKET, 2-THE DRIVERS WEIGHT, AND 3-THE IMPACT ON THE SEAT WHEN THE DRIVER ENTERS THE VEHICLE AND SITS DOWN.OVER TIME THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT MAY FAIL AT THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF THE SEAT BOTTOM.THE OTHER 3 POINTS OF ATTACHMENT OF THE SEAT BOTTOM TO THE SEAT BASE STAY ATTACHED AND THE SEAT MOVEMENT IS LIMITED.THE ATTACHMENT OF THE SEAT BOTTOM TO THE SEAT BACK DOES NOT FAIL.THE CONDITION IS MOST APPARENT DURING RAPID ACCELERATION CAUSING THE SEAT TO TILT REARWARD.ALTHOUGH A FEW COMPLAINTS REPORT CONCERN OVER LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, NO LOSS OF CONTROL INCIDENTS, CRASHES OR INJURIES ARE REPORTED.IN RESPONSE TO CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS, HONDA WILL PROVIDE OWNERS OF 1998 AND SOME 1999 ACCORDS A NO-COST REINFORCEMENT FOR THE SEAT AT THE LEFT FRONT CORNER.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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 intersection.it’s even a recall on the insurance app about the same part . Do I need to call Honda myself and I shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for this . Everything shuts off no lies no throttle until I shift in nuetral to crank vehicle up
- NHTSA ID
- 11523565
- Incident
- May 22, 2023
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 designed. Additionally, the pull latch snapped from the safety seat. The safety seat was not inspected or replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the car seat was still in use, just without the base. The manufacturer instructed the contact to destroy the defective seat once the replacement arrived.
- NHTSA ID
- 11510760
- Incident
- Mar 7, 2023
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 rear due to the second vehicle had still been accelerating. The second impact sent the contact's vehicle forward, a second time, into the street curb. The front bumper and the driver-side front tire suffered damage. The bumper was crushed and the driver-side tire had been deflated. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The contact said she hit the steering wheel with her chest and was rendered unconscious, she had bruises on both feet, shins, and knees. The contact had not been able to move her arms without pain and had pain in her chest, and collar bones. The contact thinks she had hit the side and roof of her vehicle with her head because the top of her head and the left side hurt. The contact stated that her son was bruised on both legs, knees, and shins. She said that he had back pain as well. The contact and son were driven by a friend to the Emergency Room. There were no police on the scene. The second vehicle, which was a light truck, had suffered no damage and drove away. The contact had the vehicle towed to her residence. The vehicle had not been diagnosed by a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11486061
- Incident
- Sep 8, 2022
- Mileage
- 178,000 mi
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 unable to duplicate the failure. No repair was performed and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failures. The failure mileage was 155,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11482235
- Incident
- Mar 1, 2022
- Mileage
- 155,000 mi
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 feel lucky they didn't deploy and extract flying metal pieces. Its inexcusable to have a recall and then refuse to fix the problem. Honda's negligence could have cost me my life today. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
- NHTSA ID
- 11421767
- Incident
- Jun 21, 2021
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 TRANSMISSION ADJUSTMENTS HAS BEEN DONE. ORAL MECHANICAL ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR COSTS $ 2200
- NHTSA ID
- 11395039
- Incident
- Dec 10, 2020
- Mileage
- 140,000 mi
I WAS IN A BAD ACCIDENT I WAS IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE ON THE HIGHWAY I'M GOING 55MPH SOMEONE JUMPED IN FRONT OF ME I USED MY BREAKS THEN MY CAR JERKED RIGHT INTO THE OTHER PERSON CAR CAUSING MY CAR TO SPIN AROUND 2 TIME ON A 6 LANE HIGHWAY . THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED THE STARING WHEEL WAS NOT TURNING LOTS OF FLUIDS LEAKING OUT OF IT BUT IT WAS ALWAYS JERKING FOR SOME REASON EVEN WHEN THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT'S NATURAL..
- NHTSA ID
- 11390856
- Incident
- Mar 29, 2019
- Mileage
- 100,000 mi
I'M IN THE RIGHT LANE ON EXIT 41 HIGHWAY MY CAR KEPT JERKING THEN SOMEONE JUMPED IN FRONT OF ME AS SOON AS I HIT THE BREAKS THE BREAKS SENT OUT AND HIT THE LADY WHO JUMPED IN FRONT OF ME AND THEN THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WHEEL BEFORE THEN MY CAR WAS LEAKING .*DT*JB
- NHTSA ID
- 11390823
- Incident
- Mar 29, 2019
- Mileage
- 100,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Service bulletin - Emission certification labels that were replaced on a small number of vehicles may have been replaced with a label listing incorrect information. The affected emission labels are replacement service parts, and were not installed at the factory; they were installed during postmanufacturing repairs that required replacement of the underlying part. This will cause the vehicle to be non-compliant with emissions regulations.
EQUIPMENT
Dealer message - Today, American Honda is notifying dealers of a voluntary noncompliance recall for a small number of Honda vehicles due to an error on the replacement (service part) underhood emissions labels. American Honda previously notified CARB and the EPA for this action.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
HONDA: TROUBLESHOOTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P1456 AND P1457. DEALERS ARE TO RUN EVAP FUNCTION TEST TO FIND IF THERE IS A LEAK SO THE VEHICLE CAN BE REPAIRED. *KB
SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
REAR STABILIZER LINK IS BROKEN. *TT
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
REPLACEABLE BALL JOINTS. *TT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS FOR DTC P1381. *NM
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 77 | 0 | 0 | 47.2 |
| 2024 | 135 | 3 | 1 | 64.6 |
| 2023 | 83 | 5 | 1 | 70.2 |
| 2022 | 221 | 4 | 1 | 64.0 |
| 2021 | 217 | 4 | 1 | 66.2 |
| 2020 | 345 | 5 | 1 | 64.4 |
| 2019 | 663 | 6 | 2 | 66.2 |
| 2018 | 1,833 | 6 | 2 | 64.5 |
| 2017 | 529 | 3 | 0 | 58.9 |
| 2016 | 594 | 4 | 0 | 58.8 |
| 2015 | 599 | 5 | 2 | 61.7 |
| 2014 | 975 | 4 | 2 | 60.8 |
| 2013 | 1,418 | 5 | 5 | 63.2 |
| 2012 | 372 | 8 | 1 | 64.1 |
| 2011 | 296 | 9 | 0 | 58.9 |
| 2010 | 579 | 13 | 1 | 58.7 |
| 2009 | 720 | 11 | 2 | 59.5 |
| 2008 | 1,520 | 9 | 3 | 59.4 |
| 2007 | 524 | 10 | 4 | 67.5 |
| 2006 | 430 | 17 | 4 | 64.5 |
| 2005 | 656 | 24 | 4 | 65.6 |
| 2004 | 1,016 | 22 | 4 | 65.3 |
| 2003 | 1,987 | 24 | 5 | 64.2 |
| 2002 | 1,050 | 16 | 7 | 67.4 |
| 2001 | 920 | 19 | 10 | 68.0 |
| 2000 | 1,183 | 21 | 5 | 63.5 |
| 1999 | 1,135 | 17 | 5 | 61.4 |
| 1998Viewing | 1,200 | 19 | 3 | 61.3 |
| 1997 | 460 | 15 | 0 | 55.3 |
| 1996 | 472 | 13 | 0 | 55.4 |
| 1995 | 543 | 14 | 2 | 65.0 |
| 1994 | 369 | 13 | 0 | 58.9 |
| 1993 | 186 | 11 | 0 | 58.8 |
| 1992 | 206 | 12 | 0 | 58.9 |
| 1991 | 212 | 13 | 1 | 59.8 |
| 1990 | 192 | 12 | 6 | 63.1 |
| 1989 | 86 | 1 | 1 | 56.3 |
| 1988 | 88 | 2 | 1 | 60.5 |
| 1987 | 111 | 3 | 3 | 63.2 |
| 1986 | 54 | 2 | 6 | 63.4 |
| 1985 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 56.5 |
| 1984 | 22 | 2 | 3 | 54.1 |
| 1983 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 50.0 |
| 1981 | 7 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1980 | 2 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1979 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 1978 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.