RoadVitals

1998 Honda Civic Visibility Problems

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

Data refreshed

Visibility 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.
24
Latest Jun 14, 2012
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.
6%
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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. 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. 24 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 visibility

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Visibility
Filed Jun 14, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CIVIC EX. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS CAME OUT OF THE ROLLING TRACK CONSTANTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE DOOR PANEL IN ORDER TO PUT THE WINDOW BACK ON THE RAIL AND RESOLVE THE ISSUE EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE MECHANISM THAT ALLOWED THE WINDOWS TO BE OPENED OR CLOSED NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MADE THE REPAIR BUT FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10461711
Incident
Dec 1, 2009
Mileage
110,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 21, 2008

DRIVER'S DOOR MANUAL WINDOW REGULATOR BINDS FORCING WINDOW OUT OF TRACK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10235238
Incident
Nov 1, 2007
Mileage
95,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 30, 2006

THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE WINDOW HAS A HARD TIME OPENING AND CLOSING. SOMETIMES THE WINDOW WOULD GET STUCK WHILE IN OPERATION AND THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP WINDOW MOVING IS TO CONSTANTLY SWITCH THE WINDOW SWITCH BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN OPENING AND CLOSING. WORST IS WHEN THE WINDOW WOULD SLIP OUT OF ITS SLIDING BRACKET. WHEN THIS HAPPENS,THE WINDOW IS TOTALLY STUCK AND THE DOOR HAS TO BE TAKEN APART SO THAT THE WINDOW CAN BE PUT BACK INTO ITS BRACKET. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10174841
Incident
Feb 25, 2006
Mileage
166,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 13, 2005

1998 HONDA CIVIC EX COUPE- GREAT CAR EXCEPT FOR THE POWER WINDOWS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THEM PROFESSIONALLY FIXED BECAUSE OF THE COST. THEY HAVE BEEN STUCK IN THE UP POSITION FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. THEY COME OFF TRACK IF I TRY TO ROLL THEM DOWN AND THE GLASS LITERALLY FALLS INTO THE DOOR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10110470
Incident
Nov 10, 2004
Mileage
90,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 24, 2002

DRIVER WINDOW PULLEY SYSTEM BROKE, MY DAUGHTER'S REAR LEFT PASSENGER WINDOW SYSTEM BROKE AND WE HAVE THE SAME CAR PURCHASED AT THE SAME DEALER. PULLY. NLM

NHTSA ID
767636
Incident
Apr 1, 2002
Visibility
Filed May 24, 2002

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT TURN OFF DUE TO A FAULTY SWITCH IN THE WIPER MOTOR. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *YH

NHTSA ID
8010443
Incident
Mar 20, 2002
Visibility
Filed Apr 21, 2002

A LOCAL NEW YORK STATE AND AAA APPROVED AUTO REPAIR SHOP HAS INFORMATION FROM A NATIONAL DATABASE "ALLDATA" , THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT PARK OR SHUT OFF IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN MY PARTICULAR HONDA YEAR AND MODEL. DURING A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF RAIN OR SPLASHING OF WATER FROM OTHER VEHICLES THE CONTINUING WIPERS SMUDGES THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING ALMOST ZERO VISIBILITY. FAULTY OPERATING WINDSHIELD WIPERS/MOTOR WILL NOT PASS NEW YORK STATE INSPECTION, THEREFORE NHTSA SHOULD CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND PROCEED WITH A RECALL.*AK

NHTSA ID
760975
Incident
Mar 20, 2002
Visibility
Filed Jun 12, 2001

CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FOR TWO HOURS IN HOT SUN, REAR WINDOW BLEWOUT. *AK

NHTSA ID
746694
Incident
Jun 9, 2001
Visibility
Filed May 22, 2001

WINDSHIELD WIPERS CONTINUED OPERATING EVEN WHEN SWITCH WERE IN OFF MODE. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY, AND NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER . *AK

NHTSA ID
888907
Incident
May 21, 2001
Powertrain (other)Visibility
Filed Jan 22, 2001

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER NOTICED PIECES OF METAL COMING FROM CAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WENT OUT.*AK BLOWER MOTOR FOR VENTILATION FAN HAS FAILED TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR . CONSUMER REPLACED TWO BLOWER UNITS AT HIS COST. *YH

NHTSA ID
878759
Incident
Jan 17, 2001
Visibility
Filed Oct 4, 2000

WHILE SITTING A STOP LIGHT REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED INTO A MILLION PIECES, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
872199
Visibility
Filed Jun 15, 2000

SUN ROOF BLEW UP (SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED) WITHOUT ANYTHING HITTING IT. THE DEALER WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ID
724049
Incident
Jun 8, 2000
Driver assistanceTransmissionVisibility
Filed Mar 17, 2000

TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPS,IN MOTION AND IDLE POSITION--IDLE SPEED IS ERRATIC--IN REVERSE,CAR MAKES A WHINING NOISE-WINDOWS DON'T ALWAYS WORK

NHTSA ID
720247
Visibility
Filed Oct 29, 1999

AT SPEED OF 60 MPH OR MORE, THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR SHAKES CAUSING SAFETY PROBLEM FOR THE DRIVER. YH

NHTSA ID
549384
Visibility
Filed Sep 8, 1999

DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR.

NHTSA ID
609517
Incident
May 1, 1998
Visibility
Filed Aug 16, 1999

POWER MIRRORS ADJUSTMENT FAILED. YH

NHTSA ID
609945
Incident
Mar 1, 1998
Visibility
Filed Mar 11, 1999

WINDSHELD IS ANGLED SO MANY STONES HIT WINDSHIELD. 3 CURRENT STONE BREAKS

NHTSA ID
704318
Incident
Jan 1, 1998
Visibility
Filed Feb 1, 1999

WINDSHIELD FAILED TWICE. YH

NHTSA ID
608933
Incident
May 12, 1998
Visibility
Filed Feb 1, 1999

GLASSES FOR ALL WINDOWS DO NOT APPEAR NORMAL (RESIDUE) CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. YH

NHTSA ID
608808
Incident
Jul 1, 1998
Visibility
Filed Feb 1, 1999

WINDOW MOTOR FAILED.

NHTSA ID
607707
Visibility
Filed Feb 1, 1999

LEFT REAR WINDOW DOES NOT WORK. *YC

NHTSA ID
606771
Incident
Nov 1, 1998
Visibility
Filed Feb 1, 1999

MIRROR FAILED. YH

NHTSA ID
606715
Incident
Mar 1, 1998
Visibility
Filed Feb 1, 1999

SUNROOF RUBBER MOLDING DOESN'T FIT. YH

NHTSA ID
606705
Incident
Apr 27, 1998
Visibility
Filed Jul 23, 1998

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OR ABOVE THE EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR IS EXTREMELY LOOSE WHICH CAUSES IT TO SHAKE. DEALER REPLACED THE MIRROR WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
825796

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 .