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Research · Midsize Cars

1998 Honda AccordRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 19 safety recalls and 1,215 owner complaints for the 1998 Honda Accord. Most complaints involve electrical system (310) and power train (277). The EPA rates it 21–24 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–24mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
19campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
1,215
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

19 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Air bagsReported Jan 17, 2020NHTSA 20V026000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000
See all 19 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,215 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 1997 – May 2023
  1. Electrical system310
  2. Power train277
  3. Engine and engine cooling132
  4. Air bags80
  5. Structure76
  6. Vehicle speed control67
  7. Suspension61
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic43
  9. Fuel system, other38

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Accord model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996478
1997467
19981,215
19991,144
20001,193
2001932
20021,062
20032,013
20041,018
2005686
2006433
2007524
20081,521
2009727
2010581
2011296
2012381
20131,438
2014984
2015602
2016613
2017540
20181,897
2019698
2020368
2021246
2022262
202388
2024153
202599
202614
Crashes reported
101
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
66
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

310 reports9 crashes3 fires
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 23, 2023Electrical systemODI 11523565

Power train

277 reports13 crashes
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2021Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11395039

Engine and engine cooling

132 reports2 crashes
“THE ENGINE FAILS WHILE DRIVING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE CAR IS RUNNING FINE, THEN AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, THE ENGINE FAILS. ALL BRAKING AND POWER FUNCTIONS FAIL. THIS OCCURS AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND DATES. THERE DOES NOT SEEN TO BE ANY REASON FOR IT. THE ENGINE RUNS FINE WHEN IT IS RE-STARTED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2012Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline, Electrical systemODI 10442859
All 1998 Accord problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Accord
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
212824$2,700370
Accord
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, SOHC-VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
222824$2,700370
Accord
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, SOHC-VTEC · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,800386
Accord
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, SOHC · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,900404
Accord
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC V-6 · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,050423
  • Accord
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, SOHC
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, SOHC-VTEC
    22 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, SOHC-VTEC
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, SOHC
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Accord
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC V-6
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Honda Accord as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 3876Vehicle 3838
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1998 Accord questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Honda Accord have?

19 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1998 Honda Accord problems?

Owners filed 1,215 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (310), power train (277), engine and engine cooling (132). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Honda Accord get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Honda Accord at 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026