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.
Follow-up to previous complaint. Had catylitic converter replaced after check engine light problems, light came back on after only 30 miles with different error code. I wonder how long Honda will let this problem go with out recognizing there is a obd computer problem! if this is not fixed soon I will never buy another Honda.
Problems began when I took my 1998 Accord ex in to have the 30,000 mile service. I was told that the brake pads needed to be replaced. I had them replaced and went in for another major service check a year later and was told the car needed new brake pads again, that's only 18,000 miles later. The Honda dealership mechanic told me replacing the pads every 20,000 miles is not uncommon for these cars. I, then, took the car to a non-Honda repair shop who replaced the pads and guaranteed them for 48,000 miles. When I took the car in for the second major service check my car horn was working. After leaving Honda's service shop the horn has not worked properly again. When I turn the engine on the horn turns off. As long as the engine's off the horn works without a problem. I took it back to Honda who told me that the problem is probably related to a cable in the steering column and would cost me over $200 to repair. They also told me that it could be the key switch and there has been a recall on the switch but my car was not included. Again they estimate $200 to repair. This car has not had excessive wear, it is a 1998 and has less than 48,000 miles on it today. I have no confidence in what they are telling me and am very displeased with my Honda and the service that I am getting.
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.
I purchased a 98 Honda Accord in October of 2001. It has been in the shop approximately eight times since it was purchased for numerous problems. The brakes had to be replaced about four months after buying the car. The paint has faded on the roof and is now fading on the trunk lid. The key has gotten stuck in the ignition twice and would not come out until the next day. The gas pedal has gotten stuck after cranking the car and pedal had to be "punched" to get it to accelerate. The cd player has been replaced. The doors would not lock using keyless entry or manually and the door accuator was replaced. The keyless entry has also been replaced. These are some of the things that are going on. Currently, the back window is vibrating and it is unclear whether it is loose or not. I do feel this is a lemon.
Alternator died, with only warning was ABS light on, could not even make it to the shop 10 miles away. Car died completely. I was told that Honda should have recalled these alternators for the 1999 and 1998 models.
- Kennesaw, GA, USA
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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!
In July 1998, I purchased a 1998 Honda Accord V6 ex. In February 2000 the first problem with the engine check and egr defect occurred. The problem was resolved with the replacement of the intake manifold and repositioning of the PCV valve and hose in accordance with Honda recall instructions and resetting the "check engine" light indicator at no cost to me. Service occurred at dealer. In April 2000, the second problem with the egr valve as manifested by the "check engine" light occurred. The problem was resolved by replacement of the PCV hose in accordance with Honda recall instructions and resetting the "check engine" light indicator at no cost to me. Service occurred at dealer. In October 2000, the third occurrence of the egr valve failure occurred. This problem was resolved by cleaning the egr port and valve. This was performed at a cost of $66 plus tax. Service occurred at dealer. In January 2001, a related occurrence of the egr problem occurred with an idle air controller (iac) motor failing. The egr port and valve were not checked, however the symptoms of the problem were resolved by replacement of the iac motor and clearing of the check engine light indicator. This resulted in a cost to me of $226.69. Service occurred at dealer. In November 2001, I was sent a notice by american Honda concerning the egr failures and extending the warranty to 80,000 miles. Service occurred at dealer. In May 2002, the fourth egr problem occurred with the check engine light indicating a problem. The problem was diagnosed to be the egr valve failure and the catalytic converter failure. This repair has been estimated to be $800. Honda?S district service manager has denied the claim, since the failure occurred at 81,000 miles, it has been considered to be out-of-warranty by Honda and therefore repairs would be at my cost. Service occurred at dealer in tucson, AZ. As a further point, Honda has denied all claims for work done under warranty.
In January 2000, I took my Honda in to the tricket dealership to have a sticking gas pedal repaired. The mileage at that time was 35, 187. The pedal would stick and require a hard punch with the foot to come loose. The dealer cleaned the throttle and told me it was caused by a Honda floor mat. This resolved the problem at that time. I removed the floor mat. On January 16, 2002 I took the Honda into the same dealership and reported my gas pedal was sticking again even though I used no floor mat on the driver's side. The dealership cleaned the throttle again with a charge to me of $35.18 which seemed to take care of the problem. When I asked why this element had failed twice, at first I was told it was bad gas, then the dealership admitted 98-99 Honda Accord had recurring problems with the gas pedal sticking. The dealership told me this was not dangerous because the gas pedal did not normally stick wide open. I guess dangerous is a matter of opinion. A gas pedal stuck half way down could potentially cause an accident. When I called the national Honda customer service, I was told to get the throttle cleaned as part of my normal maintenance. I would like to know if other Honda owners are experiencing this dilemma. It appears to me to be an obvious design flaw and Honda should be correcting it. I am also concerned about later model Honda Accord. I certainly don't want to purchase a new problem. Any assistance you could provide would be appreciated. By the way, my Honda is a "LX" model.
In January 2000, I took my Honda in to the tricket dealership to have a sticking gas pedal repair. The mileage at that time was 35, 187. The pedal would stick and require a hard punch with the foot to come loose. The dealer cleaned the throttle and told me it was caused by a Honda floor mat. This resolved the problem at that time. I removed the floor mat. On January 16, 2002 I took the Honda into the same dealership and reported my gas pedal was sticking again even though I used no floor mat on the drivers side. The dealership cleaned the throttle again with a charge to me of $35.18 which seemed to take care of the problem. When I asked why this element had failed twice, at first I was told it was bad gas, then the dealerrship admitted 98-99 Honda Accord had recurring problems with the gas pedal sticking. The dealership told me this was not dangerous because the gas pedal did not normally stick wide open. I guess dangerous is a matter of opinion. A gas pedal stuck half way down could potentially cause an accident. When I called the national Honda customer service, I was told to get the throttle cleaned as part of my normal maintenance. I would like to know if other Honda owners are experiencing this dilemma. It appears to me to be an obvious design flaw and Honda should be correcting it. I am also concerned about later model Honda Accord. I certainly don't want to purchase a new problem. Any assistance you could provide would be appreciated. By the way, my Honda is a "LX" model.
Engine check light stays on after having recall done for egr valve. Consumer has taken vehicle into repair shop, and diagnostic reading showed no problem. Consumer has been advised to please attach a copy of recall information with complaint form.
Vehicle accelerates uncontrollably; consumer pulled into driveway, had foot on brakes, and vehicle accelerated on its own. Driver had to swerve into a field. Sometimes had to put in neutral to slow vehicle down. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated it could be the floor mats. Please add VIN #.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Conyers, GA, USA