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:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
116,614 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.

1998 Honda Accord electrical problems

electrical problem

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1998 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #98

May 222023

Accord

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When I was driving my 98 Honda accord lx. I notice it shuts off itself if hitting a hard bump. Then I noticed online they had folks saying that the ignition switch was beginning to be a big issue. I nearly died after picking my 2 kids up from school the car shut off in the middleof the intersection.it-??s even a recall on the insurance app about the same part. Do I need to call Honda myself and I shouldn-??t have to pay out of pocket for this. Everything shuts off no lies no throttle until I shift in nuetral to crank vehicle

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #97

Mar 012022

Accord

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. Additionally, the battery had to be recharged on several occasions in order to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. No repair was performed and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted regarding the failures. The failure mileage was 155,000.

- Eagle Creek, OR, USA

problem #96

Mar 292019

Accord

  • 100,000 miles
I was in a bad accident I was in the far right lane on the highway I'm going 55mph someone jumped in front of me I used my breaks then my car jerked right into the other person car causing my car to spin around 2 time on a 6 lane highway. The airbag never deployed the staring wheel was not turning lots of fluids leaking out of it but it was always jerking for some reason even when the mechanic says that's natural..

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #95

Jan 202020

Accord 4-cyl

  • 160,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have replaced my ignition switch last year and am having the sane problem. I looked online and noticed there is a recall for this part for my vehicle. The vehicle cuts off while im driving or will not turn over all the way when I switch it on. I can tell when the switch catches.

- Chicopee, MA, USA

problem #94

Feb 012019

Accord

  • 187,000 miles
My ignition turns off while im driving.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #93

Dec 012017

Accord

  • 123,000 miles
Takata recall ignition switch failure car won't stay on unless key is hold forward

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #92

Sep 252018

Accord

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car loses power while driving and operating the car. The ignition completely shuts the car off. The car can restart, but the ignition continues to shut off repeatedly

- Starkville, MS, USA

problem #91

Apr 132018

Accord

  • miles
Takata recall? I bought this vehicle from my co worker which stated these issues were already happening for months, firstly the cluster clusters instrument gages do not work (replaced them and nothing happens), only the gage lights turn on. These include the gas gage, RPM, speedometer, temp. Which is another issue, the electrical issues even though you try to brighten the lights with the dim knob they are hardly brightened its hard to see the clock time or any thing that lights up to help see at night, the interior lights dont work, the horn doesnt work, cruise control doesnt work. As if all these are tied together thru the electrical wiring. (checked all fuses and replaced most) my wind shield leaks in the top corners, the trunk fills with water everyone it rains due to a leak. Defects in the sealing my rear view mirror fell off on my way to work today as well which caused the windshield to crack around where the mirror was. The hood latch is hard to close, I have to use pliers to push down the latch before shutting hood, (this is another part I replaced with the same factory part number) it looks to be the spring. Ball joints I am guessing... when barely turning the wheel either way you hear a grinding noise like metal against metal. Its a scary sound when making turns not sure if the wheel is you G to break off while making the turn a costly issue daily I have to add oil to the vehicle the oil pump gasket seal leaks every time the engine is running. Exterior issue the paint looks horrible due to the top clear coat peeling. Now after researching, I realize I'm not the only one who has these issues. Please get these issues fixed

- Bedford, IN, USA

problem #90

Jun 082017

Accord

  • 13 miles
On several occasions, while driving at highway speeds on a multi land road in traffic the engine suddenly shut off. After pulling over I attempted to restart engine. After several attempt of turning the key all indicator lights illuminated and I was able to continue on.

- Superior, WI, USA

problem #89

Feb 262017

Accord

  • 168,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. While driving 10 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle continued to stall multiple times while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.

- Florence, AL, USA

problem #88

Apr 062016

Accord

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My engine switch. Does not want to turn. My key on and off. I been having lots of problems with the key. It started a while ago. My wheel locks on me not letting it. Turn no were causing. An accident.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #87

Jun 022016

Accord

  • 140,000 miles
The engine randomly shuts off while driving. Extremely dangerous! it is not the ignition switch which is the subject of a past recall. Honda does not have a clue about what is causing this issue and if you check the internet all kinds of Honda owners are experiencing this problem. I bet someone has already been killed because of it.

- Spokane, WA, USA

problem #86

Apr 132015

Accord

  • 148,000 miles
The ignition switch is faulty. The car will run and suddenly cut out and has difficulty starting. Most other models of Accord manufactured in this timeframe were covered under an ignition recall in 2002. I owned a different Accord in 2006 that was repaired under the recall. However, I was told by a Honda dealer my particular model is not covered under the recall.

- Papillion, NE, USA

problem #85

Jan 012002

Accord

  • miles
Horn pad on steering wheel has never worked properly. It takes excessive force to operate when and if it does work.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #84

Sep 112015

Accord

  • 393,033 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 393,033.

- Florence, AL, USA

problem #83

Sep 062015

Accord

  • 157,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 02V120000 (electrical system); however, the remedy failed to repair the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.

- Riverdale, GA, USA

problem #82

Aug 302015

Accord

  • 239,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. While driving at 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was repaired, however the failure recurred. The details of the repairs were unknown. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 239,000.

- Lynwood, CA, USA

problem #81

Sep 022002

Accord

  • miles
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled several times without warning. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 02V120000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Downers Grove , IL, USA

problem #80

Jun 012015

Accord

  • 165,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the distributor, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 02V120000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 165,000.

- North Tazewell , VA, USA

problem #79

Jul 102015

Accord

  • 165,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. While at a complete stop, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000.

- Roseville, MI, USA

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