MYRModel Year Report

1998 Honda Accord

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Honda Accord
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1,200
Recalls
19

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

27% of complaints

Complaints per year

1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 22 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1986 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1989: 86 complaints 1990: 193 complaints 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1995: 544 complaints 1996: 472 complaints 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1,200 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2001: 922 complaints 2002: 1,050 complaints 2003: 1,987 complaints 2004: 1,017 complaints 2004 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 431 complaints 2007: 524 complaints 2008: 1,520 complaints 2009: 725 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2010 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2013: 1,421 complaints 2014: 981 complaints 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 608 complaints 2016 2017: 536 complaints 2018: 1,886 complaints 2019: 690 complaints 2020: 360 complaints 2021: 236 complaints 2022: 253 complaints 2022 2023: 88 complaints 2024: 146 complaints 2025: 87 complaints 2026: 10 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1983 1984: 22 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1986 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1989: 86 complaints 1989 1990: 193 complaints 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1995: 544 complaints 1995 1996: 472 complaints 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1,200 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2001: 922 complaints 2001 2002: 1,050 complaints 2003: 1,987 complaints 2004: 1,017 complaints 2004 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 431 complaints 2007: 524 complaints 2007 2008: 1,520 complaints 2009: 725 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2010 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2013: 1,421 complaints 2013 2014: 981 complaints 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 608 complaints 2016 2017: 536 complaints 2018: 1,886 complaints 2019: 690 complaints 2019 2020: 360 complaints 2021: 236 complaints 2022: 253 complaints 2022 2023: 88 complaints 2024: 146 complaints 2025: 87 complaints 2025 2026: 10 complaints
1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1982 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 22 complaints 1984 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 56 complaints 1986 1987: 112 complaints 1988: 90 complaints 1988 1989: 86 complaints 1990: 193 complaints 1990 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 208 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 395 complaints 1994 1995: 544 complaints 1996: 472 complaints 1996 1997: 460 complaints 1998: 1,200 complaints 1998 1,200 1999: 1,135 complaints 2000: 1,183 complaints 2000 2001: 922 complaints 2002: 1,050 complaints 2002 2003: 1,987 complaints 2004: 1,017 complaints 2004 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 431 complaints 2006 2007: 524 complaints 2008: 1,520 complaints 2008 2009: 725 complaints 2010: 580 complaints 2010 2011: 296 complaints 2012: 373 complaints 2012 2013: 1,421 complaints 2014: 981 complaints 2014 2015: 601 complaints 2016: 608 complaints 2016 2017: 536 complaints 2018: 1,886 complaints 2018 2019: 690 complaints 2020: 360 complaints 2020 2021: 236 complaints 2022: 253 complaints 2022 2023: 88 complaints 2024: 146 complaints 2024 2025: 87 complaints 2026: 10 complaints 2026

1998: 1,200 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19817
198210
19837
198422
198513
198656
1987112
198890
198986
1990193
1991212
1992208
1993186
1994395
1995544
1996472
1997460
19981,200
19991,135
20001,183
2001922
20021,050
20031,987
20041,017
2005656
2006431
2007524
20081,520
2009725
2010580
2011296
2012373
20131,421
2014981
2015601
2016608
2017536
20181,886
2019690
2020360
2021236
2022253
202388
2024146
202587
202610

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

27% · 318 reports

Most commonly citing switch and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My car experienced stalling at both highway speeds and slow speed operation. This of course LED to a loss of throttle response and power steering, jeopardizing the safety of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-02

Power train

23% · 281 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I bought the car from a dealership. And it was ok at first than check engines light came on and I got it checked out long story short the dealer replaced it. But I messed up my wrist bc of the jerk from the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-27

My wife parked the vehicle in the k-mart parking lot. She took key out of ignition, locked the vehicle and we went inside to shop. After shopping for 5 - 10 minutes, k-mart intercom asked Honda owner to come forward.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-20

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 139 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASHINJURY

Air bags

7% · 79 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact stated that upon making a left turn at 40 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the vehicle head on at approximately 60 MPH. The air bags did deploy upon impact but failed to inflate as needed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-10-28

Tl* the contact owned a 1998 Honda Accord. While driving 35 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck by another vehicle on the drivers side. The air bags deployed violently cauing injures.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-15

Skidded on gravel and hit a tree--airbags failed to deploy and I, driver-occupant sustained serious personal injury

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-04

Structure

6% · 77 reports

Most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My car kept jerking it also had stop while my feet was on the metal while on exit 41 my car spin around and almost collided with another car after the…

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-01-30

Safety timeline

19 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1997-12-15Seat belts97V220000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front passenger seat belt retractor mounting bracket was improperly welded.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair these vehicles.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 1,200 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    1998-02-12Power train98V018000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a collar on the transmission parking pawl to ensure proper movement of the actuation lever.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1999-05-17Suspension99V069000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2002-06-14Electrical system02V120000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2002-10-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-03-28 Seat frame bracket failure
  7. I
    2003-04-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-09-05 Ignition-park interlock system
  8. I
    2003-09-09Engineering analysisClosed 2003-12-17 Ignition-park interlock
  9. R
    2003-12-08Electrical system03V423000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2006-04-17Exterior lighting06E032000 Certain eagle eyes and sonar headlights and corner lights sold as aftermarket for use on 1988-2005 Honda civic, 1990-2005 Honda Accord, and 1990-2001 Acura integra passenger vehicles listed above.…

    Remedy: Tom motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the purchase of noncompliant lights. The recall began April 17, 2006. Owners may contact tom motorsport at 626-968-4007.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2006-05-02Exterior lighting06E025000 Certain poli-auto combination headlamp assemblies, p/nos. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&c), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730…

    Remedy: Poli-auto will notify owners and offer to repurchase the headlamps at its original purchase price. The recall is expected to begin during April 2006. Owners may contact poli-auto at 305-477-1356.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2006-05-09Exterior lighting06E023000 Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to…

    Remedy: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006. Owners may contact anzo USA at 909-468-3688.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2006-05-10Exterior lighting06E040000 Certain e speed racing combination lamps sold as replacement equipment for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors…

    Remedy: E speed racing will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began May 10, 2006. Owners may contact e speed racing 909-923-3636.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2006-05-10Exterior lighting06E038000 Certain alfaotto combination headlamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to…

    Remedy: Alfaotto will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began on May 10, 2006. Owners may contact alfaotto at 626-656-2992 or visit their website at www.alfaotto.com.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  17. R
    2006-07-10Exterior lighting06E044000 Certain j & a auto accessories combination headlamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side…

    Remedy: J & a auto accessories will notify owners and offer to repurchase the headlamps. The recall began on July 10, 2006. Owners may contact j & a auto accessories at 310-327-4981.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. R
    2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…

    Remedy: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006. Owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  19. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  20. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  21. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  22. R
    2020-10-01Air bags20V026000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  23. R
    Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles.

    Remedy: Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2006. Owners may contact tradesonic at 626-934-8884.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Honda Accord — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 318 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 281 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 139 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 97V220000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 98V018000 · Power train
  • Recall 99V069000 · Suspension
  • Recall 02V120000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 03V423000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E032000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E023000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E040000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E038000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E044000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 20V026000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1998 Honda Accord reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Honda Accord is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Honda Accord?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Honda Accord have?
19 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.