Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1998 Honda Civic. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Air Bag Inflators May Rupture or Underinflate Bag
- Summary
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
- Consequence
- In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.
CNG FUEL TANK THERMAL INSULATOR
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES, IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE INTERIOR FIRE IN THE AREA OF THE REAR SEAT, THE CNG TANK MAY BE HEATED UNEVENLY, PREVENTING THE PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICE FROM VENTING THE CONTENTS OF THE TANK AS DESIGNED.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD RESULT IN A TANK RUPTURE, EXPLOSION, AND EJECTION OF THE TANK FROM THE VEHICLE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEAT INSULATOR MATERIAL TO THE REAR SEAT BACK. AN INTERIM OWNER LETTER WAS MAILED TO OWNERS BEGINNING NOVEMBER 26, 2007. WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE RENOTIFIED ASKING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
HONDA/IGNITION SWITCH
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.
- Consequence
- WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
AUTOLIV/HONDA/AIR BAG MODULE
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED. THE CLOTH FLAPS COVERING THE FOLDED AIR BAG MAY HAVE BEEN TUCKED IN TOO FAR.
- Consequence
- THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. IN A CRASH, AN IMPROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG MODULE TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (435)
435 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 435 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 96 | 22.1% |
| Electrical system | 88 | 20.2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 53 | 12.2% |
| Power train | 49 | 11.3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 29 | 6.7% |
| Structure | 26 | 6% |
| Visibility | 23 | 5.3% |
| Tires | 18 | 4.1% |
| Unknown or other | 16 | 3.7% |
| Service brakes | 11 | 2.5% |
How 1998 compares with other Civic years
Best and worst Civic years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 135 | 2 |
| 1995 | 199 | 0 |
| 1996 | 305 | 2 |
| 1997 | 373 | 2 |
| 1998 | 435 | 4 |
| 1999 | 338 | 3 |
| 2000 | 287 | 6 |
| 2001 | 1,079 | 14 |
| 2002 | 702 | 11 |
| 2003 | 499 | 11 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 34 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $1,950
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 261 g/mi
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 34 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 / 39 / 34 | $1,950 | 261 |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 35 / 31 | $2,150 | 287 |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 / 34 / 30 | $2,250 | 296 |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 33 / 28 | $2,400 | 317 |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 32 / 28 | $2,400 | 317 |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 31 / 27 | $1,700 | 260 |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 32 / 27 | $2,500 | 329 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1998 Civic for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1998 Honda Civic FAQ
How many recalls does the 1998 Honda Civic have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 20V026000 (air bag), 07V512000 (fuel system), 02V120000 (electrical), 97V193000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1998 Honda Civic problems?
Owners filed 435 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (96), Electrical system (88), Engine and engine cooling (53) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1998 Honda Civic get?
EPA rates the 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 30 city, 39 highway and 34 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1998 Civic compare with other years?
Among the 1994–2003 Honda Civic model years at least five years old, the 1994 drew the fewest complaints (135) and the 2001 the most (1,079). The 1998 drew 435. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.