1998 Honda Accord: recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1998 Honda Accord. The newest campaign is 20V026000. NHTSA received the report on 17 Jan 2020. The NHTSA record gives the component Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module. NHTSA has 1,200 complaints on file for this model year. 3 NHTSA investigations name this model year.

The NHTSA recall file shows no do-not-drive advisory and no park-outside advisory on these campaigns.

This page cannot show if a recall applies to one vehicle. The NHTSA VIN lookup shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle.

Remedy of the newest campaign, 20V026000, in the NHTSA record

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.

NHTSA VIN lookup

Complaint information entered into NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation vehicle owner's complaint database is used with other data sources to identify safety issues that warrant investigation and to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists.
NHTSA publishes these words. Source: NHTSA Datasets and APIs, section Complaints, read on 1 Oct 2026. Complaint file through 30 Sep 2026. Recall file through 30 Sep 2026.

Since the last update

No tracked figure of this page changed in a data update. What the log tracks

All updates to the register

Recall campaigns

6 campaigns, newest first. 3,162,626 units in total.

20V02600017 Jan 2020Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module
03V42300027 Oct 2003Electrical System / Ignition / Switch
02V12000016 May 2002Electrical System / Ignition / Switch
99V06900010 May 1999Suspension / Front / Control Arm / Lower Ball Joint
98V01800010 Feb 1998Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
97V22000016 Dec 1997Seat Belts / Front / Anchorage

20V026000Received 17 Jan 2020. 1,439,841 units.
Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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 NHTSA record
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, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.). Manufacturer campaign number D8J, Z8G. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 1 Oct 2020.
03V423000Received 27 Oct 2003. 563,861 units.
Electrical System / Ignition / Switch
Defect, in the NHTSA record
On certain passenger vehicles and mini vans, the ignition switch may wear excessively and prevent proper interlock operation, making it possible to turn the ignition key to the "off" position and remove the key without shifting the transmission to "park."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the vehicle operator does not shift to "park" before removing the key and fails to engage the parking brake, the vehicle could roll and a crash could occur.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will perform an inspection procedure that determines the amount of cylinder body wear. If significant wear is indicated, the dealer will replace the cylinder body, collar, and latch plate. If no signs of wear are indicated, dealers will replace the latch plate with a redesigned part. Owner notification began december 8, 2003. Owners should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238.
Report filed by AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.. Manufacturer campaign number 03-088/03-034. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 8 Dec 2003.
02V120000Received 16 May 2002. 1,000,000 units.
Electrical System / Ignition / Switch
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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, in the NHTSA record
Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
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.
Report filed by AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Jun 2002.
99V069000Received 10 May 1999. 124,875 units.
Suspension / Front / Control Arm / Lower Ball Joint
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain vehicles were manufactured with ball joints that can prematurely wear out and, in the worse case, the ball joint would separate causing the front suspension to collapse.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
This condition would result in vehicle deceleration and a sudden loss of power. Also steering controllability would be reduced.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.
Report filed by AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 17 May 1999.
98V018000Received 10 Feb 1998. 33,966 units.
Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles (honda accord sedans manufactured from september 18, 1997 to january 10, 1998; coupes manufactured december 11, december 15, 1997, and january 5, 1998; acura 2.3cl manufactured october 22, 1997 through january 7, 1998). During manufacturing, the casting die caused an irregularity in the right-side transmission cover. This irregularity can limit the movement of the parking pawl actuation level and prevent adequate engagement of the parking gear pawl. This does not comply with fmvs no. 114, "theft protection."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
This condition can cause the vehicle to roll down an incline when the transmission is locked in "park," increasing the risk of personal injury and/or property damage.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will install a collar on the transmission parking pawl to ensure proper movement of the actuation lever.
Report filed by AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 Feb 1998.
97V220000Received 16 Dec 1997. 83 units.
Seat Belts / Front / Anchorage
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front passenger seat belt retractor mounting bracket was improperly welded.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
This condition can cause the bracket to separate from the vehicle body in a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will inspect and repair these vehicles.
Report filed by AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO..

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

Complaints by component

1,200 complaints, 1,429 component mentions.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

1998 Honda Accord
All 1998 vehicles

1998 Honda Accord: complaints by component, per 1,000 component mentions
Component	1998 Accord	All 1998 vehicles	Accord, all years	Mentions
Electrical System	223.2	82.5	130	319
Power Train	196.6	90.4	119.7	281
Engine and Engine Cooling	98	123.7	37.3	140
Air Bags	55.3	50.6	127.8	79
Structure	53.9	45.8	33.7	77
Vehicle Speed Control	48.3	43.2	37.1	69
Suspension	45.5	82.6	19.8	65
Unknown or Other	35	21.9	55.1	50
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	32.9	106.9	50.8	47
Fuel System, Other	28	7.4	2.5	40

The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 29.

Complaints that report a crash: 100
Complaints that report a fire: 3
Injuries in the complaints: 65
Deaths in the complaints: 2
Date of the newest complaint: 23 May 2023

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Complaints about the 1998 Honda Accord, by the year NHTSA received them. The largest year is 1999, with 187 complaints.

Investigations

NHTSA investigations that name the 1998 Honda Accord
Number	Type	Subject	Component	Opened	Closed	Campaign
EA03017	Engineering analysis	IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK	Electrical System / Ignition / Switch	9 Sep 2003	17 Dec 2003	03V423000
PE03014	Preliminary evaluation	IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK SYSTEM	Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Gear Position Indication (Prndl)	15 Apr 2003	5 Sep 2003
PE02072	Preliminary evaluation	SEAT FRAME BRACKET FAILURE	Seats	2 Oct 2002	28 Mar 2003

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

Other model years

The number under each year is the number of recall campaigns.

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

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Official channels

NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
NHTSA page of the 1998 Honda AccordThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

Cite this page

Recall Register. 1998 Honda Accord: recalls and complaints. https://recallregister.com/vehicle/honda/accord/1998/. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall, complaint and investigation files. Data through 30 Sep 2026.

Sources

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Licence: US government work, public domain
Recall file through: 30 Sep 2026
Complaint file through: 30 Sep 2026
First complaint in the file: 1 Jan 1995
Manufacturer in the recall file: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

The NHTSA record is the authority. A complaint count is the number of different complaint numbers for the make, the model and the model year. How the register is made. Report an error.

Questions

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 1998 Honda Accord?: 3,162,626 units in 6 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.
How many recall campaigns does the Honda Accord have for all model years?: NHTSA lists 80 recall campaigns for the Honda Accord, model years 1976 to 2026. 6 of them name the 1998 model year.
Which component do the complaints about the 1998 Honda Accord name most often?: Electrical System: 319 of 1,429 component mentions, or 223.2 per 1,000. For all 1998 vehicles the figure is 82.5 per 1,000.
Is an NHTSA investigation of the 1998 Honda Accord open?: No. Each of the 3 investigations that name this model year has a closing date in the NHTSA file.