Problems · NHTSA complaints
1998 Honda Accord problems
Owners filed 1,215 complaints about the 1998 Honda Accord with NHTSA between Oct 1997 and May 2023. The most-cited component is electrical system (310).
Complaints
1,215
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
101
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
66
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
5
74
195
57
62
149
126
126
44
34
28
42
36
34
26
22
19
33
31
13
13
12
3
22
5
2
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 5 |
| 1998 | 74 |
| 1999 | 195 |
| 2000 | 57 |
| 2001 | 62 |
| 2002 | 149 |
| 2003 | 126 |
| 2004 | 126 |
| 2005 | 44 |
| 2006 | 34 |
| 2007 | 28 |
| 2008 | 42 |
| 2009 | 36 |
| 2010 | 34 |
| 2011 | 26 |
| 2012 | 22 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2014 | 33 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
310 reports9 crashes3 fires2 related recalls
“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”
Power train
277 reports13 crashes1 related recall
“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”
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”
Air bags
80 reports46 crashes1 related recall
“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…”
Structure
76 reports2 crashes
“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 ACCIDENT”
Vehicle speed control
67 reports22 crashes
“MY 98 HONDA ACCORD LX AUTOMATICALLY DECELERATED TO 0 MPH WHEN I DROVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY (I-10 HOUSTON). THE SIGNAL LIGHTS (MAINTENANCE LIGHT AND THE KEY LIGHT) TURNED ON FIRST AND THEN THE SPEED DROPPED TO ZERO ALL THE SUDDEN BY ITSELF. I TRIED TO PUSH THE ACCELERATION PAD AND NO RESPONSE AT ALL. I WAS ABOUT TO PARK CAR TO THE SIDE. THEN AFTER ABOUT 1-2 MINUTES, IT BECAME NORMAL AGAIN. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. IT WAS A SHOCK TO ME. VERY WORRY ABOUT IF IT DIED ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.