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:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,660 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.

1998 Honda Accord transmission problems

transmission problem

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1998 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 7 of 11)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #84

Aug 232003

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

98 Honda Accord, transmission fluid leakage and transmission slipping, dealer told me that the seals are damaged because the internal cv joint bearing is damaged, causing metal to ruin transmission valve body. Estimate to repair$5,000. I called american Honda and I was told to" assume responsibility for my car". the car started acting up at 103,000 miles. I currently have 110,000 and hope it will last long enough to scrape up the money to buy something else. Note pleased with the atitude of any representative of Honda.

- Lorain, OH, USA

problem #83

Sep 192003

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,000 miles
I have a 1998 Honda Accord 4dr ex that is having transmission problem. The vehicle does not seem to drive forward. When it does go forward, seems like the vehicle is having trouble shifting gear. The rpms goes up about 5000 and the car does not seem to move. I took the car to the dealer, it was told that there is something wrong with the torque converter. Is there any recall regarding the transmission torque converter?

- Norcross, GA, USA

problem #82

May 272003

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles
The bearings went bad in the output shaft causing transmission fluid to leak. Had to replace the transmission at 89,000 miles. Honda paid for 50% of the repair cost, but after reviewing similar complaints, I believe this should be seriously considered for a recall.

- Ashland, MO, USA

problem #81

Jul 172003

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles

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

1998 Honda Accord V6 transmission failed. Had all dealer prescribed maintenance at dealer and I suddenly have a transmission that is beyond repair, according to them. Less than 5 years old - 114,000 miles. Honda website did have transmission recall on similar model Accord (same body type, later year), but not mine.

- Somerset, NJ, USA

problem #80

Oct 202002

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles
I have now had the transmission replaced on this car twice. After doing some research via the internet. I have found that I am not the only one with this problem. Were the consumers had to replace the transmission prematurely.

- Rio Linda, CA, USA

problem #79

Jun 292003

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,201 miles
Transmission started to jerk then failed in all but low gear daeler says Honda has so many request for replacement transmissions than none are available.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #78

Jul 012003

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

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

Automatic transmission in '1998 Accord LX(2.3L) does not up/downshift properly when coldonce engine/trans get up to full operating temp all feels ok. No useful response from Honda dealer to on going problem (@ last year+).

- Elkhart, IN, USA

problem #77

Jul 012003

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
The transmission was rough in shifting when we first bought the car, and now the transmission has failed totally. I was driving down the highway one day and the transmission all of a sudden switched down to first gear while I was going 55 mph. I though this was very dangerous, so I took it to the dealer. They're telling me I need a new transmission. I have 8ok miles, but I feel Honda has made a defective product and now I have to come up with the money for a new transmission.

- Vienna, VA, USA

problem #76

Jun 252003

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles
Transmission failure at 85,000 on 1998, Honda, Accord. Dealer says new transmission necessary at $5000.

- Charlottesville, VA, USA

problem #75

Jun 012002

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles
In 2002, we began having problems with the axle seals leaking on our 1998 Honda Accord. We have always followed Honda's recommended maintenance schedule, and thus took the car to the local dealership. They have seen the car for this problem 3 times, replacing the seals at least once. They now advise us that by diagnosing the symptoms (they cannot dissemble the transmission) they feel the leaking is due to worn differential bearings and the only solution is a new transmission. We have reported to Honda North american who advises they can do nothing as this is a maintenance problem. If so, why wasn't this caught during one of the many visits to the dealership? when the problems began, this car only had 75,000 miles on it. With the leak, there has also been clunking and slopping shifting, almost since the first day we owned the car.

- St Charles, IL, USA

problem #74

May 012003

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 995,000 miles

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

Automatic transmission is slipping even though less than 100,000 miles on car.

- Carpentersville, IL, USA

problem #73

May 082003

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
Automatic transmission rebuilt @ 55000 miles on my 1998 Accord ex buy aamco transmission. I have a 2001 odessey and received recall for the same problem I had with my 1998 Accord.

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #72

Jan 152003

Accord

  • miles
Consumer states that while driving the vehicle and no warning the vehicle would accelerate dealer notified.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #71

Apr 112003

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The automatic transmission failed to shift properly.

- Easton, PA, USA

problem #70

Mar 042003

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission jumps when coming to a stop and does not shift smoothly through gears when accelerating. March 4 2003, Honda dealership found transmission failed internally and car needs new transmission. Also, on August 5,2002 a complaint was made about the transmission jumping when stopping and a transmission service was performed.

- Brooklyn , NY, USA

problem #69

May 062002

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles
I purchase a 1998 Honda Accord with the intentions of keeping it for a lifetime at 30,000 unfortunately at 50,000 the transmission began to jerk when you began to brake. It seems the car didnt know what gear it was in. After hundreds of dollars attempting to find the problem Honda Corp. Assured me they have never seen such a problem in any of their cars and had not had any complaints on any of their 1998 Accord. They then charged me 1,500 dollar for the repair not counting the hundreds of dollars I paid them to simply find the problem. Now just 6 months later my transmission feels as if it's slipping when I park on a hill. Again they don't want to admitt to any knowledge of any past problems. Now I'm sure they are aware of past problems because it was explained to me the transmission I received 6 months ago was a repaired transmission from another Accord. What can I do to help myself"???" anyone please help!

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #68

Jan 302003

Accord 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,770 miles
I own a 1998 Honda Accord with 44,000 miles. I purchased the car new in 1998. I am now having serious transmission problems with the car - lurching and bumping. When I presented the problem to Honda, they said that I must pay for a new transmission because the car is out of warranty. Can Honda get away with this? I can't believe this is the Honda car company. I purchased the car because of Honda's track-record of reliability.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #67

Jan 082003

(reported on)

Accord

  • miles
While driving down the parkway, consumer stated vehicle suddenly started loosing power. Took to dealer and they stated transmission was replaced. Consumer states one week later vehicle started to vibrate, hard to switch gears, and there was a burning smell.

- Hicksville, NY, USA

problem #66

Nov 242002

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,168 miles
Consumer states original transmission failed with only 54,168 miles on vehicle. Mechanic advised that the pump assembly failed causing the torque converter and secondary shaft to overhear and wear out. Consumer had 52,500 mile service performed on vehicle by dealer who did not discover any transmission problems at that time.

- West Windsor, NJ, USA

problem #65

Oct 012002

Accord

  • miles
While traveling on the highway without prior warning there is a loud knocking noise coming from underneath the vehicle. Please provide additional information dealer is aware of the problem.

- Merced, CA, USA

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