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:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
87,463 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.
The clear coat on my black 1998 Honda Accord peeled off leaving the car looking like it has a skin disorder. The problem is most prevalent on the hood, roof and trunk, while the doors, bumpers and quarterpanels seem unaffected. The problem has persisted for years, and I had it also with a previous 1994 Accord. The paint just fails after 6 or 8 years--very disappointing performance.
Failed clear coat and faded paint were the first problems to occur with my silver Honda Accord. Next was the gas tank leak, where fumes and leaked gas could be smelled and seen on the ground when filling the tank more than half full. Finally my passenger side front subframe rear cross member rusted thru and now the car isn't safe to drive and won't pass inspection without major repairs to the frame. None of the rest of the under body is rusted, just that section. Not happy!
Was driving vehicle (1998 Accord LX 4 cylinder) when a loud thump was heard from the front passenger side suspension. Put the vehicle up on ramps to inspect and the front subframe on the right side holding the sway bar was completely separated and rotted/rusted out. Prior visual inspection never showed the issue as the rusting was taking place from on top of the subframe. After some quick research this issue is a design flaw where the ac condenser empties directly above the subframe causing premature failure of the subframe. The vehicle only has 49,765 miles on it and the frame should not be failing in this magnitude.
The Accord models from 1998 to 2002 have been having a crucial rust problem. The sub- frame has been rotting out due to a misplaced air conditioning condensation drain. Honda claims that there are not enough complaints out this problem and that is coincidence that there are a rust problem. Here's the deal, all these cars have a major rust problem on the foundation of the car. Honda also, claimed that the A/C drain was not the problem for it. Well then tell me why all these cars have this problem only on the passengers side of the vehicle directly under the A/C drain. Honda needs to recalls this model because if that structure breaks on the road the passenger side wheel could come off or the rack of the power-steering could split and cause the driver to lose control of their car. Not to mention the engine could drop out the bottom or even more devastating things that could hurt people! www.youtube.com/watch"V=bcqzuddas-G www.youtube.com/watch"V=eefxsqpr0pq www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/investigations/center-for-auto-safety-requesting-recall-of-1-5-million-Honda-Accord-for-rust-issue-in-sub-frame.
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while at the dealer for a safety inspection, the technician stated that the front frame was corroded and the front passenger side axle shaft boost was fractured. As a result, the frame and axle needed to be replaced. The technician advised the contact that the vehicle should not be driven. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
- Clarksdale, MS, USA
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Accord automatic transmission 68,000 miles the date I listed was the date I took it to a body shop for repair. I believe I began noticing it at least a year before but didn't have money to do anything about it then. (on ssd) the roof, trunk, L panel R & L lens & housing, rear bumper had to be repainted/repaired. It started before that particular date. It began with white spots that started peeling and it spread like wildfire. Could not afford a new car and since the mileage was low and I need a car I decided to have it repaired. It runs good, but looked terrible!! the money I spent was an extreme burden on me. I am on a fixed low income. I read here that in '98 they changed the painting process.now I discover many complaints witht same problem on newer years. They apparently started a faulty paint procedure and still use it and are ripping people off. I know cars, no garage, with no peeling, etc. Now less than a year later: There are white spots showing through where it was not painted, R front and rear panel!!!!! Honda should, at the very least reimburse for what I spent and fix the current problem at no charge. When I mentioned it to Honda they just said they didn't do that type of work. At the time I was not aware (but they probably were) that this is a widespread known problem!! anyway, Honda should be sued!. I've already had people thank me for telling them about this saying they won't buy a Honda!!
The front subframe of my 1998 Honda Accord LX has rusted through due to salt accumulation at only ~95K miles making it a safety hazard. This is the only rusting on the car, either than that spot the car is rust free.
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact observed that the exterior body clear coat paint was peeling severely on the roof, hood and trunk lid area. The vehicle was taken to three different body collision shops where they recommended that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer because the failure was a common issue for the model. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 46,527.
- the contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the trunk on the vehicle kept opening at any time. The vehicle was taken to the shop for repair; they found that the gist of the frame was broken. The current and failure mileage, and the dealer information wasn't available.
Clearcoat and paint faded on roof. Dealer had repainted. 6 months later same thing happened to trunk. Dealer had repainted again. A few months later clearcoat was coming off the doors. Dealer refused to repaint. Said this has never happened before.
Clear coat paint fading and peelling on roof, hood, and trunk of 1998 Honda Accord ex. Seems to be a common problem with the black and the green 98 Accord.
There is a leak in the trunk area. When it is raining, water drips from the area near the rear speakers, onto the trunk floor. I first noticed this problem a few years ago, but it seems to have gotten worse recently (this may be due to the car no longer being parked in the garage).
I have a 1998 hunter green Honda Accord ex and the paint is fading on the top of the car. Is this a factory defect because I have seen several hunter green Accord with its paint fading in the same area as mine or either on the trunk.
I have had a stroke. My leg is getting better and my legs are 34". I did't realize that the 1998 car does not have as much room as the19 89(my previos car). I would like NHTSA to approve modififying my car, so I can have enough room to drive. Thank you.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rochester, NY, USA