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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,994 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I have replaced my ignition switch last year and am having the sane problem. I looked online and noticed there is a recall for this part for my vehicle. The vehicle cuts off while im driving or will not turn over all the way when I switch it on. I can tell when the switch catches.
Takata recall? I bought this vehicle from my co worker which stated these issues were already happening for months, firstly the cluster clusters instrument gages do not work (replaced them and nothing happens), only the gage lights turn on. These include the gas gage, RPM, speedometer, temp. Which is another issue, the electrical issues even though you try to brighten the lights with the dim knob they are hardly brightened its hard to see the clock time or any thing that lights up to help see at night, the interior lights dont work, the horn doesnt work, cruise control doesnt work. As if all these are tied together thru the electrical wiring. (checked all fuses and replaced most) my wind shield leaks in the top corners, the trunk fills with water everyone it rains due to a leak. Defects in the sealing my rear view mirror fell off on my way to work today as well which caused the windshield to crack around where the mirror was. The hood latch is hard to close, I have to use pliers to push down the latch before shutting hood, (this is another part I replaced with the same factory part number) it looks to be the spring. Ball joints I am guessing... when barely turning the wheel either way you hear a grinding noise like metal against metal. Its a scary sound when making turns not sure if the wheel is you G to break off while making the turn a costly issue daily I have to add oil to the vehicle the oil pump gasket seal leaks every time the engine is running. Exterior issue the paint looks horrible due to the top clear coat peeling. Now after researching, I realize I'm not the only one who has these issues. Please get these issues fixed
"takata recall I took my car for inspection and it says safety/emissions recall. I wanted to get it fixed but they told me that I would have to take it to a Honda dealer.
I bought this 1998 Honda Accord and I want to know why my car VIN number is not in the recalls for this no warning cutting off while driving and its very dangerous to drive it and sometimes it takes a long time to start up and then continue to cut off I have replaced fuel pump distributor full tuneup and next my ignition coil which is a recall for my year Honda Accord and this cut off problem should be taken care of for my safety because I own this vehicle and would appreciate your support and concern of the recalls on my car please. When I first bought the car the next day I was on the freeway and the car just cut off and I didn't even know it was off until I realize I was slowing down and steering got hard and traffic was yelling at me from their vehicles and I was scared pulling over to the side of freeway.and as of today it does it more frequently and take longer to start back up than it did when I first got the car so I think it is unfair that my VIN number for this can't be taken care of under this unsafe recall that my car is included in onthis recall please help me understand why im not included and that's not ok.
The car just shuts wherever you are, in the middle of the highway. It happened numerous times. Sometimes it wouldn't start. But my daughter was driving the car and it shut off in the middle of the highway. She was very lucky that an accident didn't occur. This part (ignition switch has be on recall) for the 98 Accord but not my particular VIN# which I think is ridiculous. Why would it be on 98 Accord and beyond but not this particular VIN and we had the same issue as the others.
Transmission goes out on all of the Honda brand vehicle. This is very scary and not safe to drive. I was on the highway getting off my exit and crashed because of their faulty transmissions. I looked up what was going with my car and their was several complaints about theses cars. This needs to be a recalled!!!!!!
Vehicle inspected by mechanic who determined that the passenger side of the engine cradle is corroded and will need replacement. Subsequent internet search indicates that this is a common issue prior to a design change in the 2003 model year. Spoke with manufacturer customer service rep (csr) who claimed that they have no record of ever having received a complaint about this issue, though NHTSA complaint ids 10668618, 10632816 and many others indicate that manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Csr stated repeatedly "there is nothing we (Honda) can do", but on further questioning agreed that it was more accurate to state "we [Honda] will not do anything about this". as Honda claims to not be receiving these complaints, a copy of this is being sent usps priority mail with tracking to ensure that they are aware that complaints about this issue are being lodged. Tracking #9505 5000 0753 5133 0002
"have a 1998 Honda Accord 4 cylinder V tec engine manual transmission runs great clean interior clean outside some minor dings nothing big small amount of sun damage car has 158xxx miles if you are interested in it please give me a call at [xxx] my name is [xxx] it also has auto page alarm and a double din stereo " denver.craigslist.org/cto/4241444804.html this I did a carfax report and someone rolled back the miles. Seller says it has 158xxx miles and carfax shows 218,489 last reported odometer reading. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
On my way to work I was driving at 45mph and the car began to slow down and shut off in the middle of traffic. I noticed as it slowed down the ignition key light was flashed. Five mins later the car came back on and I took it to several auto shops and they couldn't determine what was wrong with my car. For a month this problem seemed to stop all together. Recently it did this stopping while I was driving on the highway but didn't come back on. I had the car towed to Goodyear vespia auto shop. Here they determined that something might be wrong with the car's computer. During a test drive the car shut off on the mechanic he place the code indicator to determine what was wrong with the car and here he discovered that car's computer was dead again he waiting 10mins and the car came back on without any indication for its shutting off.
Accord automatic transmission 68,000 miles the date I listed was the date I took it to a body shop for repair. I believe I began noticing it at least a year before but didn't have money to do anything about it then. (on ssd) the roof, trunk, L panel R & L lens & housing, rear bumper had to be repainted/repaired. It started before that particular date. It began with white spots that started peeling and it spread like wildfire. Could not afford a new car and since the mileage was low and I need a car I decided to have it repaired. It runs good, but looked terrible!! the money I spent was an extreme burden on me. I am on a fixed low income. I read here that in '98 they changed the painting process.now I discover many complaints witht same problem on newer years. They apparently started a faulty paint procedure and still use it and are ripping people off. I know cars, no garage, with no peeling, etc. Now less than a year later: There are white spots showing through where it was not painted, R front and rear panel!!!!! Honda should, at the very least reimburse for what I spent and fix the current problem at no charge. When I mentioned it to Honda they just said they didn't do that type of work. At the time I was not aware (but they probably were) that this is a widespread known problem!! anyway, Honda should be sued!. I've already had people thank me for telling them about this saying they won't buy a Honda!!
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact stated that there is a recall on the 2002-2003 Accord. Once the key is removed from the ignition, the vehicle rolls away. The failure has occurred for the past ten years. The dealer could not find any failures with the vehicle. The failure mileage was 115,000.
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the paint is eroding from her vehicle. She called the dealer (american Honda) and sent pictures, but they stated that the failure was due to the weather and acid rain. Her insurance stated that nothing could be done because of the vehicle's age. The claim adjuster stated that the vehicle's paint did not have enough clear coat finish. The engine size is not available. The current mileage is 176,000 and failure mileage was 100,000.
Clearcoat and paint faded on roof. Dealer had repainted. 6 months later same thing happened to trunk. Dealer had repainted again. A few months later clearcoat was coming off the doors. Dealer refused to repaint. Said this has never happened before.
Faulty sealant on black Accord. Premature degradation. Began in small area on roof. Not too bad at first. Over past winter, sealant breaking down in about 15 places. Car has been garaged and not subject to automatic car wash (unless that is what local Honda dealer uses). Considerable devaluation of vehicle advertised as holding its value.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Chicopee, MA, USA