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.
We just bought a 98 Honda about 3 months ago with 133,000 miles on it. Runs and looks great, except it stalled on us - just completely died while driving down the road - 4 times now!
We took it to a Honda deal. It's had the ignition switch recalled and 'fixed' and they refuse to pay to do it again. If it was defective the first time, it's defective the second time.
I suppose someone has to die with it stalling out, and then sue Honda's butt, to make them act like an honorable company and do the right thing. They like to make the profits, but apparently, they don't care if my daughter's car gets rear-ended during a stall, sending into oncoming traffic, to die tragically at a young age.
I'm sorry - but this is BAD business. Please report them to the Better Business Bureau....
I was notified of the ignition switch recall several years ago, and took my honda in to have the problem fixed.
Now, it seems to have happened again!
I was driving down the freeway and lost power, pulled over, shut off the car, then, restarted.
It seemed fine for about 20 min or so , until, I was stuck in evening traffic.
Then, lost power again at the worst possible spot and could barely get it off the road.
It would not stay running after I tried to restart it, went dead over and over.
After calling roadside assistance, I was waiting there in my car as the traffic began to start moving again.
I was almost run over by several transfer trucks as I sat helplessly waiting.
I have read and been told that this is a common problem with this car.
If I had it replaced already, why am I having to pay for it to be replaced a 2nd time???
This is rediculus and dangerous!
Thanks for the scary experience Honda!
I know that there is a recall for a faulty ignition switch that causes the car to not start and to stall when driving. However, when I called American Honda they denied that the recall applied to our particular model based on the VIN number and, therefore, none of the previous owners were notified of the problem. It makes no sense that we would have this problem if, as American Honda claims, the problem does not exist in our car.
- Leslie B.,
W. Bloomfield, MI, US
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Ignition failed causing the car to turn off on the highway multiple times, turns out there was a Ronda recall I was never told about. Almost caused me to get into an accident on the freeway, unbelievable. I called Honda about the problem at first they told me that it would cost $500 to repair, than I did some research online and checked there was a recall for it. I called the dealership back, asked them to check if there was a recall on my car... at first the lady said no there are no recalls, I asked to speak to the service adviser and told him I saw that there is a recall on the ignition and I need this repaired under the recall from Honda.
He said he will look again and saw that there was indeed a recall, and I could bring in my car for repairs free of charge! But the fact that they did try their best to rip me off for $500 to fix something that was under recall.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
We just bought a 98 Honda about 3 months ago with 133,000 miles on it. Runs and looks great, except it stalled on us - just completely died while driving down the road - 4 times now!
We took it to a Honda deal. It's had the ignition switch recalled and 'fixed' and they refuse to pay to do it again. If it was defective the first time, it's defective the second time.
I suppose someone has to die with it stalling out, and then sue Honda's butt, to make them act like an honorable company and do the right thing. They like to make the profits, but apparently, they don't care if my daughter's car gets rear-ended during a stall, sending into oncoming traffic, to die tragically at a young age.
I'm sorry - but this is BAD business. Please report them to the Better Business Bureau....
- Kay M., Troy, OH, US