1998 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
1998 · All trims · All engines
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1998 Honda Accord has 10 documented known issues, with 7 rated critical. The most serious are Ignition Switch Can Wear Out and Cause the Engine to Stall (Recall 02V120000), 1998-2000 Accord Coupe and Sedan — NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000), Honda Accord front lower ball joint wear and separation — NHTSA safety recall 99V069000, Ignition Distributor Internal Failure (Igniter/Coil) - Stalling and No-Start ($120-$500 repair), Timing Belt Neglect on Interference Engine (Catastrophic Valve Damage) ($500-$900 repair), Automatic Transmission Slipping / Failure (4-Speed, V6 Worst) ($1,800-$3,500 repair) and Ignition Switch Wear & Park-Shift Interlock Defect (NHTSA Recalls) ($0-$400 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $3,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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 WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1998 Honda Accord has 10 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Ignition Switch Can Wear Out and Cause the Engine to Stall (Recall 02V120000), 1998-2000 Accord Coupe and Sedan — NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000), Honda Accord front lower ball joint wear and separation — NHTSA safety recall 99V069000. Of these, 7 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 1998 Honda Accord has 10 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 7 issues are rated critical: Ignition Switch Can Wear Out and Cause the Engine to Stall (Recall 02V120000) and 1998-2000 Accord Coupe and Sedan — NADI Driver Airbag Inflator Recall (NHTSA 20V026000) and Honda Accord front lower ball joint wear and separation — NHTSA safety recall 99V069000 and Ignition Distributor Internal Failure (Igniter/Coil) - Stalling and No-Start and Timing Belt Neglect on Interference Engine (Catastrophic Valve Damage) and Automatic Transmission Slipping / Failure (4-Speed, V6 Worst) and Ignition Switch Wear & Park-Shift Interlock Defect (NHTSA Recalls). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Honda Accord issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
1997-1999 Honda Accords are among the vehicles named in NHTSA recall 02V120000. The problem is wear inside the ignition switch: the high electrical current that flows through the switch each time the Accord is started degrades its electrical contacts. Degraded contacts can cut po… Severity: high.
Both body styles of the 1998-2000 Honda Accord — Coupe and Sedan — are named in NHTSA recall 20V026000. These Accords use a Non-Azide Driver airbag Inflator (NADI) for the driver frontal airbag. NADI inflators contain no phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant, so thi… Severity: high.
Recall 99V069000 covers 1997 and 1998 Honda Accords for a front suspension lower ball joint that can wear out prematurely. The worst-case outcome named in the recall is the ball joint separating, which lets the front suspension collapse. From behind the wheel, NHTSA says the cond… Severity: high.
Four-cylinder 5th/6th-gen Accords use a cam-driven distributor that houses the ignition coil, igniter (ignition control module/ICM), and pickup inside one unit. The internal igniter and coil are heat-sensitive and commonly break down as the engine warms, causing intermittent misf… Repairs typically run $120-$500. Severity: high.
Every 1990s Accord four-cylinder (F22/F23) and the J30 V6 uses a rubber timing belt, and all are INTERFERENCE engines: if the belt snaps or jumps, pistons strike open valves and cause major internal damage (bent valves, often piston/head damage). The four-cylinders also drive a s… Repairs typically run $500-$900. Severity: high.
The Honda 4-speed automatic in the mid-to-late 1990s Accord is prone to slipping and outright failure, typically around/after 100,000 miles. As the internal clutch material wears, debris circulates in the fluid and clogs the shift solenoids, causing harsh or delayed shifts, flari… Repairs typically run $1,800-$3,500. Severity: high.
Electrical contacts inside the ignition switch wear prematurely and can overheat/malfunction, causing intermittent stalling, accessory loss, or no-crank. Separately (and the subject of a formal safety recall on automatics), worn ignition-cylinder/interlock components let the driv… Repairs typically run $0-$400. Severity: high.
Some 1998-2003 Accord engine blocks were cast with microscopic porosity in the aluminum, allowing engine oil (and in some cases coolant) to weep through the block casting itself. Because the leak is through the casting rather than a gasket, it can be hard to pinpoint and reappear… Repairs typically run $200-$2,500. Severity: medium.
The PGM-FI main relay powers the fuel pump and ECU. On these cars the relay's internal printed-circuit-board solder joints develop hairline cracks with age and heat. When the engine bay or cabin gets hot, the board expands and the cracked joints open, cutting power to the fuel pu… Repairs typically run $50-$250. Severity: medium.
High-mileage 1990s Accord four-cylinders commonly develop a puff of blue smoke on cold startup: worn valve-stem seals let oil seep past the valves into the combustion chamber while the car sits, and it burns off the first minute after start. Separately, the valve-cover gasket har… Repairs typically run $150-$1,200. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
