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:
14 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
15,463 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.

1998 Honda Accord engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Honda Accord:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1998 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #21

May 252001

Accord

  • miles

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

Was in a 35 mph zone and was to stop for red light and to turn left. Service road between me and flat-back big truck that had already stopped for light. Put on brakes and started accelerating, and had no brakes or steering. Was raining. Probably hydroplaned. Picked up speed and went head-on into back of parked truck. I am injured and am under doctors care. Bag should have deployed but didn't. whole front of my car was smashed. Have pictures.

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #20

Apr 082001

Accord

  • miles
Consumer's mother was driving and getting ready to pull into a parking space when vehicle accelerated rapidly, crashing into a concrete pole, and causing $7110.30 in damage. Insurance investigator informed consumer that throttle assembly appeared to be working properly. Honda auto body mechanics stated that they would check vehicle to determine cause of the defect. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #19

Feb 142001

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission slipped out of gear and vehicle jumped forward. Lost control of vehicle and hit tree.

- Holt, MI, USA

problem #18

Oct 212000

Accord

  • miles

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

While consumer was attempting to park the vehicle it suddenly accelerated causing the consumer to run into a house across the street(attorney for client). Nlm

- New Orlean, LA, USA

problem #17

Oct 212000

Accord

  • miles
While consumer was attempting to park the vehicle it suddenly accelerated causing the consumer to run into a house across the street(attorney for client). Nlm

- New Orlean, LA, USA

problem #16

Jul 072000

(reported on)

Accord

  • miles
When driving at low or high speeds and applying normal braking procedure, vehicle will shake possibly due to rotors warping. 2. after disengaging cruise control by applying brakes, it will not resume due to brake pedal sticking.

- Kingsville, TX, USA

problem #15

Jan 102000

Accord

  • miles

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

When taking off at low speeds the car will hesitate and then take off. At around 45 mph it will also hesitate. This has happend hunderds of times. The dealer spent a whole weekend with the car and found nothing. My wife went there drove it and it happened again. Th kept the car for a week and did not find anything, the dealer claims that that is the way the car works. My 91 Accord has neevr done this.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #14

Jan 312000

Accord

  • miles
On 3 occasions the car has died while accelerating up a hill. All the indicators light up on the dash. The car loses power steering and braking ability. There is no problem starting the car after this occurs. The car is also often hesitant to accelerate.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #13

Feb 181998

Accord

  • miles
While in neutral position and on a flat surface vehicle acclerated forward which may have caused a crash. Dealer could not determine the cause of the problem.

- Plantation, FL, USA

problem #12

Jan 052000

Accord

  • miles
The vehicle self accelerated when the driver stepped on the brake resulting in damage to the vehicle due to loss of control and accident.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #11

Jan 052000

Accord

  • miles

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

On Jan 5, 2000, at approximately 10:30 am I backed my car out of the garage and applied the brakes before entering the street. Applying the brakes caused the uncontrollable acceleration of the car, causing it to cross the street/sideswipe a neighbor's house/ run over another neighbor's fence, and knock down a street sign. I do not know if the accelerator got stuck, but any amount of pressure on the breaks failed to slow the car. All of this occurred in a matter of seconds before finally coming to rest in the center of the street. Damage to the car and a neighbro's house was extensive.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #10

Nov 011999

Accord

  • miles
On November 1st, I got in my car and immediately after turning the ignition the tachometer jumped up to 2000 RPM and was sustained for minutes. Then, the car accelerator began surging between 1000 to 1500 RPM while still in the "park" gear. I did not know what to do so I kept my foot on the brake and kept it there while I shifted the car in to reverse to back out of a parking stall. The car was accelerating in reverse without depressing the gas pedal. Then, when I shifted the car into "drive", the transmission jumped immediately into 2nd gear and began accelerating at 30 mph without decompression of the gas pedal. This continued on my entired drive into work (15 miles). When I got off work, I started to drive home when I notices my "check engine light" was illuminated on the dash board. I then drove to the dealership to report the problem. The preliminary cause from the dealer ship was noted as an "electrical problem". I believe this problem is dangerous enough to investigate since the acceleration of the car was affected. I am willing to offer more information to the ntsa on the outcome of this problem. The car as of 11/2/99 is at the dealership being repaired. Sincerely, Virginia L. glen

- Riverside, RI, USA

problem #9

Nov 011997

Accord

  • miles
I have asked the dealer to repair a problem with a sticky accelorator on three occasions with no success. They admit it is a problem with this model car but offer no remedy. It is extremely dangerous and has almost resulted in two accidents! please demand that Honda remedy this serious defect immediately. My dealer's incompetent service manager claims he cannot duplicate the problem in my car. However, one of his technicians did. I've given up trying to have them repair the car and hope you can convince the manufacturer to recall this car. Someone, somewhere will be killed if this is not repaired. Thank you. Please call me directly if I can offer any additional information.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #8

Feb 011999

(reported on)

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission makes noise and experiences power surge when engaged in reverse.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #7

Mar 141999

Accord

  • miles
All of a sudden while driver had foot on brake vehicle accelerated to a very high speed, causing owner to crash into a tree. There was no deployment of air bags. The problem was reported to the manufacturer. The vehicle was towed to a body shop.

- Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #6

Aug 111998

Accord

  • miles
Vehicle experiencing sudden acceleration dealer could not duplicate the problem.

- Woodside, CA, USA

problem #5

May 261998

(reported on)

Accord

  • miles
Sudden acceleration resulting in vehicle collision, no deployment of air bag during collision.

- Sunnyside, NY, USA

problem #4

Oct 041998

Accord

  • miles
Consumer was driving approximately 5-10 mph when she began to park the vehicle, experienced sudden acceleration. The vehicle plunged 4 ft. Forward, resulting in a crash. This is a daily problem. The air bags did not deploy.

- Falls Ch, VA, USA

problem #3

Mar 091998

Accord

  • miles
Vehicle was struck in the rear and experienced sudden acceleration.

- Natick, MA, USA

problem #2

Mar 011998

Accord 6-cyl

  • miles
While stopping in traffic with foot on brake was hit from behind and vehicle accelerated out of control, resulting in a collision. Vehicle sustained extensive damage.

- Natic, MA, USA

Read the next 1 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?