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:
repaint entire car (66 reports)
not sure (33 reports)
Honda should fix/repaint or reimburse owners for lost value (15 reports)
to keep me as a honda owner i want re-embursement (5 reports)
I have been told by the Honda Dealer that there is definitly a problem in the undercoat from the manufacturer. When I called the Service Mgr and I told him about the paint problem and the fact that it was a 1998 Honda Accord EX he interrupted me and said quote "I BET THE COLOR OF YOUR CAR IS GREEN". Then I asked him why did you say that. He told me that numerous customers had been in with the same type problem and they had a 1998 Honda and it was green. He also told me because of the number of complaints he actually had someone to come down from the manufacturer to see a car that had problems like mine. The Svc Mgr said that the person that came down from the manufacturer admitted that Honda realized that there was a definite problem with the paint jobs and that since that time they had corrected the problem on the more recent Hondas. I was given a toll free number to report my complaint to the Mfg by the Svc Mgr and his words were "I wish the Mfg would do something about the problem". I have since called them a filed a complaint and a case number was assigned. I was told to take it by the Honda Dealer and let the Svc Mgr visually look at my car and report to them what he saw. When I took it by for him to look at it he said it was definitly a paint problem from the mfg. I bought my car brand new and I have always loved it until this problem arose. I truly think that Honda needs to do something about this. I certainly do not have $4,000 for a new paint job. If something isn't done my car will continue to depreciate in value because this problem is like a virus it continues to spread.
THE PAINT IS COMING OFF MY ROOF AND THE TRUNK, IT MAKES THE VALUE OF THE CAR VERY LOW, AND ITS STILL A GOOD CAR. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX WHAT HONDA SHOULD FIX
My 1998 Honda Accord V6 2dr coup starting showing signs of clearly what is a Manuf paint defect. The clear coat peeling started on the roof and now has progressed to the hood/trunk/sides. I received an estimate of $5,000 (8/24/06) to have the whole car repainted. On another website at least 50 other 1998 owners are all having the same problem with little luck from Honda America. Anyone else?
- lauraohio,
Dublin, OH, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have been told by the Honda Dealer that there is definitly a problem in the undercoat from the manufacturer. When I called the Service Mgr and I told him about the paint problem and the fact that it was a 1998 Honda Accord EX he interrupted me and said quote "I BET THE COLOR OF YOUR CAR IS GREEN". Then I asked him why did you say that. He told me that numerous customers had been in with the same type problem and they had a 1998 Honda and it was green. He also told me because of the number of complaints he actually had someone to come down from the manufacturer to see a car that had problems like mine. The Svc Mgr said that the person that came down from the manufacturer admitted that Honda realized that there was a definite problem with the paint jobs and that since that time they had corrected the problem on the more recent Hondas. I was given a toll free number to report my complaint to the Mfg by the Svc Mgr and his words were "I wish the Mfg would do something about the problem". I have since called them a filed a complaint and a case number was assigned. I was told to take it by the Honda Dealer and let the Svc Mgr visually look at my car and report to them what he saw. When I took it by for him to look at it he said it was definitly a paint problem from the mfg. I bought my car brand new and I have always loved it until this problem arose. I truly think that Honda needs to do something about this. I certainly do not have $4,000 for a new paint job. If something isn't done my car will continue to depreciate in value because this problem is like a virus it continues to spread.
- Linda P., Warner Robins, GA, US