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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,967 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.
While driving, the vehicle cut off and the steering became stiff. The consumer stated that at this time he can no longer steer the vehicle. He stated that there was no warning sound. He stated that this has happened at least 8 times. He has taken this vehicle to the dealer and was told that there was nothing wrong.
This is my mothers car (1998 Honda Accord ex-vl) which was totaled in an accident due to a sudden unintended acceleration.my wife was the first owner of the vehicle and my mother has had the car for about 2 years. She had stopped, put the car into park, got out to open a parking lot gate, got back in, stepped on the brake, and shifted the car into gear. It immediately went into a high rev and accelerated uncontrollably resulting in the car smashing into a wall about 60' away. Luckily the air bags worked and neither her or my step father were seriously hurt. Her foot was definitely on the brake pedal as there is a lockout mechanism that prevents the car from being taken out of park if the brake pedal is not pushed. This may or may not be related, but she was having difficulty getting the handle to move. The problem with it not moving had occurred previously, usually on a slight incline, but the Honda dealer looked at it and told her nothing was wrong. My mother is a retired bus driver with a perfect driving record, no accidents, and only uses one foot to control the vehicle.
Upon slowing down with brakes on, engine starts to buck and wants to quit, also happens when starting from a stop position. Does not happen all the time but has caused a few situations whereby a collison almost occurred. Dealer advised, checked out by dealer, stated nothing found would not go any further. Note-above dates approx., have dealer invoice if needed.
The engine completely blew out one day. I was on the way to work and there was an explosion under my hood. Honda put in a re-built engine and I have had nothing but problems since then. A few months later...the paint gradually started to fade away on the roof. It has only gotten worse and will get much worse. It is a 1998 Honda!! this stuff shouldn't be happening!
Vehicle stalled, and all the warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. Consumer had started the vehicle, and drove it for 15 minutes when this occurred.
- Springfield, VA, USA
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I have a 1998 Accord ex with 113,000miles and have had the same check engine light problem 2 times. Each time the dealership told me I have to replce catalytic converter and gave me an estimate of about $1,000. I took it to have it check ed by a muffeler shop and they said nothing wrong with my catalytic converter. They also said catalytic converter on Honda never goes bad. Not sure waht to do?
I have been experiencing a 'check engine' light on intermittently in my 1998 Honda Accord ex-L 4 cylinder for the last couple of thousand miles. I have been doing some reading up on it and there are so many others with the same problem and I have reached the conclusion that Honda should be doing something about it. I would like to see some sort of investigation into what the problem is and what they can do to fix it.
The vehicle check engine light illuminated three times in the last two months. A code (P0401) pointed to an egr problem but when the technician cleaned the egr ports the light illuminated again within hours.
The check engine light constantly illuminated since the vehicle was purchased. The first service dealer advised that there was a defect with the light. A different service dealer advised that there was a manufacturer's defect with the "catalyst" that could cause vehicle to stall without warning.
The consumer stated that while driving at any speed and no warning, the vehicle will stall and will become difficult for the consumer to control the vehicle. The dealer has been notified. Ts the stalling is continuous. The consumer requests that the problem, as well as other problem(s) be repaired at no charge. Scc
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Oakdale, MN, USA