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.
2.1
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
76,550 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.
(1) my 1998 Honda Accord (V6 coupe) began jerking and failing to accelerate. After repeated occurrence of this, I took my car to the Honda dealership to identify the problem (2) it was determined that transmission, specifically, the torque converter failed and needed to be replaced. (3) the transmission was replaced with a refurbished transmission.
At 66,000 miles the transmission began to slip and shift gears roughly. When I put the car in reverse it would "clunk". then as I accelerated I would have to let off the gas so it could shift each gear. I took it to a midas shop for a transmission service - new filter/flush, etc. They would not do anything because it was leaking fluid. Another mechanic told me I needed two new axles and axle seals to fix the leak. By that time the check engine indicato was on so I wanted Honda to look at it since I had researched the problem and found many instances of transmission failure at low miles. Honda cars of columbia, SC said I needed a new transmission. The computer diagnostic code was PO740 torque converter failure. A Honda Accord with only 66,000 miles should not need a new transmission. I am aware that Honda recalled 2000 and 2001 transmissions but not 1998,1999 or 2002 even though they are the same transmissions. Honda customer relations' good will assistance said they would not replace it since I did not purchase the car from a certified Honda dealer or purchase an extended warranty. The fact that they have "good will assistance" shows that they know they have problems with their cars. They have replaced other owners transmissions, why not mine?
I have a 1998 Honda Accord 4dr ex that is having transmission problem. The vehicle does not seem to drive forward. When it does go forward, seems like the vehicle is having trouble shifting gear. The rpms goes up about 5000 and the car does not seem to move. I took the car to the dealer, it was told that there is something wrong with the torque converter. Is there any recall regarding the transmission torque converter?
Vehicle's transmission bucks or skips at 55 to 60mph under light load. Dealer determined that it was the lock-up converter and stated that it's normal.
- Oriental, NC, USA
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