RoadVitals

1998 Honda Civic Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
96
Latest Jan 23, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
22%
of 435 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
64
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
43

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Honda Civic submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 96 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 96, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Jan 23, 2023

1998 HONDA CIVIC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO 20V-026. THE CONSUMER STATED HE IS STILL AWAITING PARTS FOR THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11503173
Incident
Jan 23, 2023
AirbagsFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Feb 11, 2021

FOR RECALL ON A 1998 HONDA CIVIC DX REPLACE AIR BAG ,FUEL TANKERS, IGNITION SWITCH,FLOOR MAT.

NHTSA ID
11395799
Incident
Feb 10, 2001
Airbags
Filed Dec 18, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID
11384123
Incident
Dec 15, 2020
Airbags
Filed Oct 7, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. 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 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.

NHTSA ID
11363251
Incident
Oct 7, 2020
Airbags
Filed Sep 13, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11354740
Incident
May 18, 2018
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 25, 2020

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], NHTSA 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 NHTSA FOR SPEEDY RESOLUTION. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11351190
Incident
Mar 20, 2020
Airbags
Filed Aug 4, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. 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 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. *BF*JB

NHTSA ID
11343163
Incident
Aug 4, 2020
Airbags
Filed Jul 11, 2020

NO FIX AVAILABLE FOR RECALL ON DRIVERS AIR BAG AND SRS LIGHT ON DUE TO DRIVERS AIRBAG

NHTSA ID
11338826
Incident
Jul 6, 2020
Mileage
140,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 15, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID
11329052
Incident
Jan 17, 2020
Airbags
Filed Jun 11, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. 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 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.

NHTSA ID
11328337
Incident
Mar 1, 2020
Airbags
Filed May 29, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11326499
Incident
Sep 11, 2018
Airbags
Filed May 28, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. 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 REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED HONDA OF MILFORD LOCATED IN MILFORD, CT, 203-877-2888 AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11326294
Incident
Jan 17, 2020
Airbags
Filed May 20, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED THROUGH EMISSIONS THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTONATION HONDA TUCSON AUTO MALL (810 W WETMORE RD, TUCSON, AZ 85705) WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB

NHTSA ID
11325309
Incident
Feb 1, 2020
Airbags
Filed Mar 26, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. 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 REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11319311
Incident
Jan 1, 2020
Airbags
Filed Mar 18, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC COUPE. 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 REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED ARROWHEAD HONDA LOCATED AT (8380 W BELL RD, PEORIA, AZ 85382, 623 974-9700) AND STATED THAT THE DEALER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11318620
Incident
Mar 18, 2020
Airbags
Filed Mar 17, 2020

I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MY AUTO MOBILE DIVISION, ABOUT AN AUTO MOBILE RECALL .

NHTSA ID
11318354
Incident
Mar 16, 2020
Airbags
Filed Nov 10, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.

NHTSA ID
10925431
Incident
Nov 4, 2016
Mileage
211,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 20, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE IMPACT DAMAGED THE WINDSHIELD AND SMOKE ESCAPED FROM THE AIR BAGS INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 232,000.

NHTSA ID
10886141
Incident
Jul 18, 2016
Mileage
232,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 2, 2014
Crash reported2 injuries reported

THE IMPACT WAS AT ABOUT 37 MPH, THE IMPACT WAS IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR, THE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAGS TO OPEN AT THE TIME OF THE IMPACT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10651952
Incident
Oct 16, 2014
Mileage
164,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 13, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE, DISSECTED AORTA, AND WAS IN CARDIAC INTENSIVE CARE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10622038
Incident
Jul 31, 2014
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed May 11, 2012
Crash reported

DRIVING AT 55 MPH A FORD FOCUS PULLED STRAIGHT OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND CAME TO A STOP. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 1 CAR LENGTH AWAY WHEN THEY DID THIS SO I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO STOP AND COULD NOT PULL OUT AROUND THEM BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I T-BONED THIS VEHICLE DOING 55 MPH AND THEY WERE STOPPED. MY FRONT END HIT DIRECTLY ON THEIR FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. THEIR FRONT LEFT FENDER AND TIRE WERE BENT IN AND BOTH OF THEIR FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MY WHOLE FRONT END WAS CRUSHED IN AND THE CENTER OF MY HOOD LOOKED LIKE I HIT A TREE. NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. IF I HAD NOT BEEN WEARING MY SEAT BELT I WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE SERIOUSLY INJURED THAN I WAS. WHERE ARE THE SENSORS FOR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT? SHOULDN'T MINE HAVE DEPLOYED? *TR

NHTSA ID
10458149
Incident
Mar 31, 2012
Mileage
230,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 1, 2011

98 HONDA CIVIC DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY DOING ANYWHERE BETWEEN 60-65MPH WHEN PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO SUDDEN STOPS OR POT HOLES TO HAVE CAUSED THIS; THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN A ACCIDENT. THE AIR BAG CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10386088
Incident
Feb 17, 2011
Mileage
180,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 4, 2011
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER WAS REPORTED INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000.

NHTSA ID
10374123
Incident
Dec 29, 2010
Mileage
180,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 2, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BROADSIDE ANOTHER CAR WITH MY FRONT END. THE FRONT OF MY CAR ENDED UP BEING TOTALED AND MY 1998 HONDA CIVIC EX AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I CONTACTED BOTH HONDA CORPORATE AND THEY REFERRED ME TO THERE 2 FIELD SPECIALISTS. THERE REPLY WAS MY SEAT BELT SENSOR TOLD MY AIRBAG SENSOR IT DID NOT NEED TO DEPLOY. HONDA SAID I HAD NO CASE WITH THEM. I THINK ALL I GOT IS THE RUN AROUND. I HONESTLY WANT THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION. ALSO TO KNOW WHY HONDA DOES NOT STAND BEHIND WHAT THEY MAKE. I BELIEVE THE AIRBAG FAILED FOR SOME REASON!! I HAVE HAD 2 PRIOR NECK SURGERIES AND RECEIVED SEVERAL INJURIES FROM THIS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10247490
Incident
Aug 26, 2008
Mileage
114,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 1, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

ON FEB. 10, 2008, I WAS DRIVING MY HONDA CIVIC LX ON HIGHWAY 400, JUNCTION 89, MY CAR LOST CONTROL, AND BECAUSE THERE WERE SNOW ON THE GROUND, I CANNOT STOP THE CAR, I KEEP ON PUMPING THE BRAKE, AS IF I USED THE ABS, I WOULD HAVE SLIDE DOWN TO THE VALLEY. HOWEVER, I WAS NOT ABLE TO HAVE CONTROL OF THE CAR AT ALL AND IT HIT HEAD ON THE GUARD RAIL, THE WHOLE FRONT AND ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY CRUSHED. WITH SUCH KIND OF IMPACT, THE AIR BAG SHOULD DEPLOY, BUT IT DID NOT DEPLOY, THE CAR WAS UNREPAIRABLE AND IS A TOTAL WRITE OFF. THE POLICE AND THE AMBULANCE TOOK ME TO THE HOSPITAL. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AS ONE TIME A WOMAN CAME OUT FROM A PLAZA WITHOUT LOOKING THAT IT IS ALL CLEAR, HER TRUCK HIT THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE RIGHT FRONT OF MY CAR, THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY EITHER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10219782
Incident
Feb 10, 2008
Mileage
186,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .