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Model Year Problem Record

Honda Civic 1998 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1998 Honda Civic: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

435Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
4Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
1Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
95Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags96 complaints

96 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 20V026000, 97V193000.

Electrical System92 complaints

92 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V120000.

Engine56 complaints

56 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train50 complaints

50 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control29 complaints

29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure28 complaints

28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System11 complaints

11 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 07V512000.

Equipment10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

02V120000Reported May 16, 2002 - 1,000,000 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on May 16, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 1,000,000 vehicles across all affected models.

07V512000Reported November 1, 2007 - 6,545 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on November 1, 2007. The campaign covers an estimated 6,545 vehicles across all affected models.

20V026000Reported January 17, 2020 - 1,439,841 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 17, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 1,439,841 vehicles across all affected models.

97V193000Reported November 1, 1997 - 9,558 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on November 1, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 9,558 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

SQ98012Opened June 30, 1998 - Closed November 2, 1998

CONDENSER FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199835
199980
200033
200136
200269
200332
200434
200518
20065
200716
20088
20096
20108
20119
20127
20134
20145
20157
20164
20171
20181
202014
20211
20221
20231
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.