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:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,660 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 transmission on my 1998 Honda Accord V6 started failing at 116K miles. The car began missing out and then lurching forward when driving, creating a very unsafe situation. The transmission had to be rebuilt at a cost of $2,200. I have learned that this is a very common problem with '98 Honda, as well as the 200 and 2001 models.
1998 Honda Accord had transmission problems with only 67,000 miles. Started slipping from first to second. Had the transmission serviced several times but the problem just got worst over time. We finally had to have the transmission rebuilt. Out of all the cars I've had, new or old, never had a transmission problem.
I have a 1998 Honda Accord with transmission problems.. after startin the car in the morning as I drive down the street the transmission revs higher then normal when shifting from first to second (driving normaly) like it suppose to shift at 3000 RPM but when it gets to 3K it shifts but then the RPM's just climb for 1K more then the car just lags a lil as it goes into second after the car is warmed up that problem disapears. The other problem is when slowin down to make a turn and if no cars are comin I gently step on the gas to go (not completly stoped) the transmission slipps and then stutters till 2K RPM then it cathes and launches the car forward. I have talked to the Honda dealership and they wont do anythin and want to charge me 4K for a new transmission. I read of several other people are having this problem..
I have a 1998 Honda Accord V6 with 103000 miles on it and suspected problems with the transmission since 93000 miles. The transmission slips at 20, 30, and 40 mph. I called the Honda Corp in ca and told them my Honda Accord ex V6 transmission was having problem and they told me to take it to a Honda dealer to check it before I can make a claim on it. The Honda dealer looked at it said I need a new transmission and there will be a $90 fee. The dealer and I called the Honda Corp to put in a claim and he explained that I have completed all recommended maintenance schedule and a day later the Honda Corp called the dealer and denied to assist in any way with my claim. I did not even receive a phone call back from the Honda Corp. The dealer called me to tell me the news and they gave me a transmission for over $4200. I call the Honda Corp and spoke with kevin brown and he said can not do anything to help and sorry your case it closed. How is my case closed only after one day of evaluation. Kevin brown also said that the Honda Corp has assisted other people with 98 V6 Accord with more miles than I have, but he said those cases were different. How are other cases so different when I have taken good care of my car. After reading other websites and forums, I can see this is a more common problem then I thought and now I have read over 100 complaints with Honda Accord V6 98 and 99 transmissions on the site. Some action needs to be taken now!!!!!!!!! the consumer disputes NHTSA's assessment of the 1998 Honda Accord transmission failures. The consumer found several issues which were very similar to his vehicle. The consumer requested a replacement transmission.
Subject: 1. infrequent stalling when coming to a slow stop, and starts up again and I continue driving. 2. twice, it has stalled when making a slow left turn. However, starts up again when I turn the key and I continue driving.
- Southfield, MI, USA
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Automatic transmission failure on a 1998 Honda Accord ex-V6. Transmission is dead at 99,000 miles. Other cases have been documented (www.automotivetalk.net/showmessages.php?id=720). It is an apparent manufacturing defect that needs to be recalled. Honda will not pay to have my transmission re-built.
1998 Honda Accord 4dr 4 cylinder automatic transmission started slipping at 50000 miles, very dangerous the first time it slipped from 4th gear into 2nd doing 75 mph almost lost control of the car. Honda refused to resolve the issue. Estimates form transmission shops $2000-$4000 for the repair.
My 1998 Honda Accord's maintenance has always been maintained regularly and serviced at Honda. I only have 49,000 actual miles on my 98 Honda. The vehicle will lunge when going from reverse to drive. Also, when at a complete stop and then begin to accelerate, the car will lunge. Furthermore, when accelerating at a low speed, the vehicle will seem as though it is in neutral. It will not accelerate. I have to release the gas pedal and keep pressing and releasing the gas pedal until the gear will move. Honda has now informed me that I need a new transmission. Can you believe this; a new transmission on a vehicle with only 49,000 miles" Honda has agreed to replace my transmission for no charge of the transmission, but I have to pay for the labor costs. Honda obviously knows there is a huge problem with these transmissions, why should I be responsible for the labor costs"I hope I'm not going to get the same faulty transmission replaced in my Honda. This website contains a lot of complaints for a problem that could be very dangerous and should be taken seriously. Hopefully, and in the near future, there will be an investigation into this serious problem before there is fatalities.
When car is turned off and parking brake is engaged. Consumers key will not release from the ignition. The consumers transmission had to be replaced in which he incurred the labor charge of $572.40. The consumer stated the problem with the ignition happened after the vehicle was returned to him. The consumer has a Honda CR-V that had a transmission problem as well.
While driving the vehicle stopped. Consumer restarted the vehicle, however it would only go 20 miles per hour. Dealer stated the transmission gear was defective the manufacturer stated they will look into the problem.
Heard "thumping" type noise in 1998 Honda Accord with approximately 58,000 miles. Took vehicle to Honda dealer where all routine maintenance had been performed. Originally told that wheel bearing had failed but then informed that bearing in transmission had failed and that transmission would have to be replaced at owner's expense despite the vehicle's impeccable service records, low miles, and excellent condition. Remanufactured Honda transmission was installed at owner's expense, but the premature transmission failure rate associated with this vehicle needs to be addressed and those owners affected by this failure deserve full reimbursement from Honda.
Transmission fluid leak and lurching when shifting gears. Diagnosed as a bearing failure due to possible ground strap failure. Transmission rebuilt and torque converter rebuilt. Ground strap, 1 set of differential carrier bearings replaced.
1998 Honda Accord ex- had to replace automatic transmission due to failure of transfer bearing. Problem first appeared at approx 85,000 mi. Have records listing all suggested maintenance. Why did Honda offer to reimburse transmission replacements in 2000 - 2002 Accord and not earlier models if the same transmissions were used in 1998 & 1999 model years?
Transmission is leaking and new replacement is needed at 76000 miles. Concerned about the safety while driving in the highway, and apprently I am not alone for the transmission failure at this low mileage.
The transmission is starting to fail, it sometimes takes about 5 seconds to catch into a gear, and often hits the gear hard causing rapid deceleration. Hen the car stops, it slams into first gear.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Tomball, TX, USA