CarComplaints.com Notes: The 1998 Honda Accord suffers from widespread transmission failure, peeling paint, & subframe rust. We recommend avoiding this model year like the plague.

The transmission begins slipping & eventually has to be replaced, typically soon after 100,000 miles & with a repair cost of over $2,000.

Peeling paint has also been a huge issue for these Accords. Most of the complaints are with darker paint colors -- especially green & blue.

Subframe rust near the front passenger side wheel has become a problem recently, due to the poorly positioned A/C drain hose directly above that area. Repair cost to the subframe is over $2,000.

8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,490
Average Mileage:
108,650 miles
Total Complaints:
126 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. repaint entire car (66 reports)
  2. not sure (33 reports)
  3. Honda should fix/repaint or reimburse owners for lost value (15 reports)
  4. to keep me as a honda owner i want re-embursement (5 reports)
  5. Honda paid to repaint the entire car (4 reports)
  6. repaint only roof and hood (2 reports)
1998 Honda Accord body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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1998 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 1 of 7)

problem #126

Sep 012017

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The separation of the paint from the metal and the clear coat flaking is occurring on all surfaces of the car. This damage is easily visible and detracts from the appearance and decreases the value of the vehicle.

- Kelly R., Plano, TX, US

problem #125

Jan 032017

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200,000 miles

click to see larger images

clear coat is peeling from hood, roof, and/or trunk clear coat is peeling from hood, roof, and/or trunk clear coat is peeling from hood, roof, and/or trunk

My Honda has been an excellent car, but the appearance of the car decreases the value of the car greatly. Its embarrassing for me to drive this car. I have researched and this year of car does have issues with it's paint longevity that Honda is aware of. I feel as if Honda should stand behind the quality of their initial painting for this chipping and painting issue shouldn't have happened yet. This is no fault of my own for the painting and chipping to be happening. From the photos it is peeling not only from the hood but from the sides of the car and I am concerned for the problem to expand, we need to get this issue resolved and fixed asap.

- elizbryant, Harrisburg, US

problem #124

Jan 152005

Accord EX V4

  • Manual transmission
  • 85,000 miles

I have been diligent in the care of this Accord. I waxed it annually since my purchase. It has gotten very bad.

I only drive it when i absolutley have to. At this point it's too costly to have it repainted.All that time invested in waxing was a wast of time. Very dissapointed. Bought this car when my Daughter was born. I won't let it go because of this.

- kalouis, Concord, US

problem #123

Sep 012010

Accord LX 2.4L 4cly

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,807 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bought the car in 2013 with 122,000km. Clear coat was already failing and got worse - covered as much of it in vinyl as a good a i didn't want it to start to affect the sheet metal and rust

- John S., vancouver, BC, Canada

problem #122

Jul 212004

Accord LX

  • Manual transmission
  • 60,000 miles

I love the Honda, the way it drives, the stability, gas mileage. It is just embarrassing to look like a trash car

- skindsfater, Bilings, MT, US

problem #121

Jun 012007

Accord LX 2.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Clearcoat started peeling back in 2005....I dealt with it until 2007 and paid myself to have it repainted. 8 years later and same issue. I do not believe it is a problem with the paint....it must be the metal used for these cars. It's pretty annoying to say the least. I love Honda's, but would never buy another Accord.

- John S., Winston-Salem, NC, US

problem #120

May 012012

Accord EX V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 180,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The paint job on this car is definitely a Honda issue and should be fixed by Honda. I still drive the car but it bothers me to see it getting worse each day with the paint and clear coat peeling away - it's awful. Honda indicates there is no recall on this item and there is nothing they will do. Shame on you Honda.

- kyenne, Columbus, US

problem #119

Feb 012004

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

This is a problem that Honda knows of and will not address. It is not normal wear and tear.

- Todd B., Washington, DC, US

problem #118

Mar 222001

Accord LX 3.2L

  • Manual transmission
  • 88,000 miles

Clear coat and paint began to peel after a few years of purchase. Never fixed the issue. Only writing this because I'm pissed that I will have to drop the price of this car because of the paint. Just pulled it out of storage to sell it. Everything else on the car works and works well because I always took care of it.

- Chris B., Midland, TX, US

problem #117

Jan 012006

Accord EX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

click to see larger images

clear coat is peeling from hood, roof, and/or trunk clear coat is peeling from hood, roof, and/or trunk clear coat is peeling from hood, roof, and/or trunk clear coat is peeling from hood, roof, and/or trunk clear coat is peeling from hood, roof, and/or trunk

This paint thing is not exclusive to this car. I had a 1994 black Accord with the same issue. Are the cars supposed to just stay out of the sun? I see other cars of that vintage that don't have this issue--plus, I live in western New York, what sun?

It's ridiculous if this isn't considered a manufacturing defect.

- Will F., Rochester, NY, US

problem #116

Oct 012013

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

WELL, ITS REALLY ANNOYING THAT THE PAINT IS COMING OFF. IT LOOKS REALLY AWFUL. YOU CAN SEE BIG SPOTS WHERE THE CAR HAS NO MORE PAINT . MY HOOD HAS A BIG HOLE THAT DOESN'T HAVE PAINT. IT USED TO BE WITH PAINT THERE BUT IT KEEPS FALLING APART .. SOON THE CAR IS NOT GONNA HAVE ANY PAINT LEFT.. I CANT BELIEVE HONDA WOULD USE CHEAP PAINT TO PAINT A CAR.. IF THEIRE NOT GIVING AWAY A CAR FOR FREE, THEIR SELLING IT................ REALLY UPSET MY CARS PAINT IS HORRIBLE ..HAVE YOU EVER SEE A SNAIL IN WATER ? WELL THAT'S WHATS HAPPENING TO THIS CAR IS AXIDED..OXIDADO......... QUE ASCO DE PINTURA QUE SOLO SE ESTA CALLENDO .. Y MI POBRE CARRO SE VE COMO SI SE ESTUVIERA PUDRIENDO...

- Cristina G., Hacienda Heights, CA, US

problem #115

Nov 012007

Accord LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200,000 miles

Car runs well looks like hell. Looks like someone poured white acid on the roof, hood, and below the windows on the doors. I had a bra on the front and that paint looks original. I should have put one on the whole car. Who would have thought it would looks like that. We had other Honda's and none look this crappy and I have a 1993 Civic White in color and the paint is still good. So I guess if you get one get a white one. I could not believe it will cost me $1600.00 to get it painted.

- clarreeseleckey, Jersey Shore, PA, US

problem #114

Jul 012008

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

This issue with peeling clear coat was a major surprise given that the car in question is a Honda Accord! Did not know what it was for the longest time and could not understand what exactly was going on. The car color is dark green and as a matter of fact, it has been really well-maintained. In fact, my other car is a Toyota Camry SE - 1993 that has been maintained in a similar fashion and except for a few dents and scratches still looks fabulous.

This issue with the clear coat peeling, as some of the blogs go, cannot be attributed to poor waxing jobs, excessive washing, or sun damage. In my opinion, Honda needs to own up to this and fix the problem. As a professional person, it is embarrassing to drive this car.

Guess, this can be one reason why the winter weather and snowfall is a good thing!!!! In conclusion, I have owned many cars and many makes and have always taken particular care to maintain them - have never been exposed to this type of issue that makes your car look like crap.

Hope you can get HONDA to own up to this and fix the problem.

- smk, Mystic, CT, US

problem #113

Aug 182010

Accord LX I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 154,000 miles

click to see larger images

clear coat is peeling from hood, roof, and/or trunk clear coat is peeling from hood, roof, and/or trunk

This paint job on this car was beautiful when I purchased it, then after several hand washes in the driveway, I noticed a small white patch on the trunk, which was nothing at the time, two years later and never taking it through a car wash, the paint is gone to the core now, and is spreading fast, from the trunk, to the roof, and down the doors.

- mglendon, Vacaville, CA, US

problem #112

May 182013

Accord LX 2.3L 4 cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 160,678 miles

click to see larger images

clear coat is peeling from hood, roof, and/or trunk clear coat is peeling from hood, roof, and/or trunk clear coat is peeling from hood, roof, and/or trunk clear coat is peeling from hood, roof, and/or trunk clear coat is peeling from hood, roof, and/or trunk clear coat is peeling from hood, roof, and/or trunk

This is the first time I have bought a Honda, I have a 1997 Toyota Camry LE, with 117,000 miles and the paint it's in excellent condition. I have been a Toyota person since 1966, until I took a chance and bought the 1998 Honda Accord

This is a 1998 Honda Accord LX with 160,678 miles and the paint and clear coat are deplorable (peeling off), this discourages anyone from buying Honda's in the future and for sure. I would not feel good to recommend anyone or friends on buying Honda's, because we don't know what to expect from them.

Honda, knew that here was a problem on their paint/clear coat and have not come forward to correct it.

My car would need to be paint totally.

- marcoscandanedo, Spring, TX, US

problem #111

May 012012

Accord EX 4 cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 214,000 miles

I have a Honda Accord EX that I bought brand new. This is the second Accord that I bought brand new. It had the clearcoat and rust-proofing done by the manufacturer. I had been thinking about handing this one down to my daughter and purchasing a new one, but the car looks AWFUL! In the past year the clearcoat has been peeling off and it looks like it's been subjected to 20 years in the Sahara Desert. Our previous Honda Accord NEVER had this problem and it had more mileage and was older than this one. I've looked around and noticed the same year body style and it looks like this problem is pretty widespread. Since I had re-located from St Louis up to Indiana a few years ago, it is definitely a manufacturer problem as my car was purchased from a different dealership several hundred miles away. This is a black-eye for Honda. Hondas have always been reliable cars, but they're slipping. I feel that Honda should stand behind their products and if their short-cuts come back to haunt them, then make it right in order to retain a loyal customer. As of right now, my daughter is disappointed to be given this car for her first car as it looks like it's a beater when it's a very reliable car otherwise. Resale is even worthless when a buyer drives up and is immediately turned off by the outside aesthetics and most likely won't get past the paint defects to hear about the new clutch, brakes, ball joints, timing belt, etc that would otherwise make this car well-maintained.

- Kevin B., Fishers, IN, US

problem #110

May 022011

Accord EX Beige 4 Cyl Vtech

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

I take care of my vehicles, all 5 used to get compliments on the hondas appearance. People thought I had it repainted but I just keep my vehicles clean inside and out. Now that the clear coat is peeling from the car like a cancer has attacked it nobody even gives it a second look. It is definitely a honda issue with the clear coat application or product. I see so many 1998 green honda accords with the same problem. If it was acid rain it would affect all my cars since none are garaged, but only the accord has the cancerous clear coat. Honda needs to step up and correct the problem instead of ducking the real issue. Its a shame to have a car that runs so good but looks so bad.

- gs23116, Mechanicsville, VA, US

problem #109

Jan 012011

Accord EX 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

The paint looked good on the car when I bought it used in 2010(it is a 1998 so I expected some blemishes) but after having the car for about a year I started to notice the clear coat peeling on the hood first,then the roof and trunk.I also own a 1999 Mazda 626 and the paint is holding up much better than the paint on my Honda. I went with the Honda because of the reputation of reliability but after replacing a heater temp nob, heater fan and the paint issue(none of which have had to be replaced in the Mazda) I am beginning to rethink my opinion of Honda.

- ozzy0201, Hanson, MA, US

problem #108

Jan 012008

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

The paint job on this car stinks. I've owned 4 Hondas and have never seen the likes of this. Although it has been a huge problem over the past few years, it started with small spots sometime in 2006. It's bad enough that I have made my mind up that I am finished with Honda. The car runs great but is a total embarrassment to drive. I am in the market for a new car now and will consider a Hundai or Kia.

- sgay33, St Augustine, FL, US

problem #107

May 062012

Accord EX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

I love my Honda and I expect Honda to assist with the repainting of my car!

- jerryth02427656, Milledgeville, GA, US

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