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.
I have a 1998 Accord V6 with 78K miles and slipping transmission like many many others. Honda has extended the warranty only on 2000-2002 models as they would be under warranty anyway. But this is design/quality control issue and the transmisions from 98-02 are all the same. So 1998 & 1999 cars should also be included in this recall as they all have the same problems. You can go to complaintstation. Come for some people's post on these transmission failures, and many other internet sites as great many people are affected by this. This is greatly a safety issue as well, because you can never rely on your car to accelerate when you need to, and transmission downshifts on its' own in highway from D4 to D2 causing an immediate engine braking.
Consumer stated there was transmission fluid leaking through the bearings when driving. The manufacturer had not extended the warranty on the year make and model. Mr the leak was discovered while the vehicle was in for it's routine maintenance. The manufacturer informed consumer that this fault was not a defect problem for the model and year of the vehicle.
- East Meadow, NY, USA
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Transmission unexpectedly shifts into a lower gear at high speed causing loss of vehicle control. D4 light commences flashing indicating transmission malfunction. Vehicle changes gears at random speeds up or down without warning. Honda dealerships are unable to fix the problem. Manufacturer issued problem report NO12002-08-2800-1311 and assigned case officer, ron robbins. Inspite of multiple phone calls since August 2002 they are not responding. Nlm
Consumer states that when starting the vehicle with a remote starter the vehicle surged forward into a bush. The vehicle was in park. Contacted dealer and the dealer is taking a look at the vehicle.
Transmission is not working properly. Transmission will shift into gear while consumer is driving. Contacted dealer, and dealer is not willing to do anything.
Transmission unexpectedly shifts into a lower gear at high speed, causing loss of vehicle control. D4 light commences flashing, indicating transmission malfunction. Vehicle changes gears at random speeds up or down without warning
As transmission shifts from first to second gear vehicle lunges forward and RPM's go up. Vehicle has not been examined by dealer. Please add further information.
The car hesitates upon acceleration primarily as it shifts from 1st to 2nd gear. This hesitation can and does occasionally cause the vehicle to lose speed in traffic.
Recall 98V018000;while vehicle was parked and turned off it started to roll back and picking up speed. Finally stopped by running into someone's yard. Contacted dealer, and dealer noted that VIN number does not match.
At 60000 miles transmission started leaking bad took it to dealer they put new seals in it and it continued to leak took it back at 65000 miles and they said it needs a new transmission. Honda has many transmission failures but refuses to stand behind thier product.
At 17,000 miles first reported a "rumbling, rotational noise" to dealer. Dealer was unable to locate. At 52,729 problem with rotational noise again reported -- this time louder. Dealer again unable to locate. At 57,000 again reported. Mechanic unable to hear during test drive. At 70,000 miles, the problem turned into a severe grinding which makes owner believe failure is imminent. Cost for and wait fo rebuilt transmissions extremely long; only other option used with 34,000 miles (from accident) -- unacceptable. Owner decided to trade in vehicle at a considerable financial loss rather than experience catastrophic failure.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- W. Windsor, NJ, USA