1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,286 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 Civic electrical problems

electrical problem

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1998 Honda Civic Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

May 162017

Civic

  • 168,500 miles

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

Key won't come out of switch when in park. Was told NHTSA 610316 is the fix, but can't find on internet.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #21

Dec 282015

Civic

  • 215,770 miles
There is a recall on 1998 Honda Civics for the ignition. I am being told my car is not in the recall. My car should be part of the recall it is stalling in the middle of traffic due to the ignition losing it's connection. It has almost cost me my life a few times. The car has become unusable due to this problem. When I was driving on the hi way doing 67 miles a hour the car just stopped. Luckily I was able to get it to the side before I was hit. It has done this now every time I try to drive. The mechanic told me what was wrong and told me to check about the recall. I was told my VIN was not covered. It should be.

- Rensselaer, NY, USA

problem #20

May 132002

Civic

  • 190,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Civic. When the ignition was turned to the on position, the contact had to hold the ignition key in order for the vehicle to run. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 02V120000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #19

Mar 012014

Civic

  • 180,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 1998 Honda Civic. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The contact was unsure of what part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 02V120000 (electrical system) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 180,000.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #18

Jan 012013

Civic 4-cyl

  • 150 miles
Car stalls without warning. Have to wait 5 to 10 minutes to restart. Mechanic tried several repairs and finally concluded it's a faulty ignition switch. NHTSA recall # 02V-120. Today, I almost got hit and parked it until problem is fixed. Lucky to have a backup car. Honda customer service line said they won't fix it, because it has 220 miles. I want Honda to act responsibly and fix it. This problem is a recipe for roads disasters especially for people who don't have multiple cars or just taking it for granted. Today, I could have been killed or hurt an innocent person.I am sure there are a lot of Honda owners struggling with the same problem and fear to come out of the shadows with this scary problem and just driving as if everything is ok. Sometimes when accidents happen because of this, the whole truth is unknown.

- Dale , TX, USA

problem #17

Sep 272014

Civic 4-cyl

  • miles
1998 Honda Civic. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch recall and seeks reimbursement for repairs. The consumer stated last year, the vehicle stalled a number of times, while he was wife was driving. It happened about 14 times, over a period of just a few days.

- Brooklyn Park, MN, USA

problem #16

Jan 172015

Civic

  • 153,000 miles

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

On Saturday, 01/17/2015, while driving at approximately 25 mph on busy street car stalled while driving. I had to pull over to middle median lane, and then received help to push car out of busy street/traffic to safety on sidestreet curb. The car would not start, it cranked and tried to turn over but would not start. I had to be pushed home by neighbor. After taking it to mechanic, I have had the coil replaced, distributor replaced, spark plugs and wires replaced as well as a sensor. The car still will not start. I have learned of the recall of the faulty ignition, and would like for this to be replaced by dealer under recall process. Nothing is working so far. Please assist, need car to take child to school and to able to work, take care of business.

- Redford, MI, USA

problem #15

Oct 122012

Civic

  • miles
My car stalls without warning. Speed doesn't matter. All dash lights go out. Headlights barely light at night when it occurs. You lose all power. One day it might do it 4 times, the next it might not do it all. If you turn the key off and try starting it again sometimes it starts right up, other times you might have to sit for a few minutes. I just worry about someone hitting me when it happens. Please let me know something.

- Zanesville, OH, USA

problem #14

Jul 222013

Civic 4-cyl

  • miles
My car cut off for no reason while I was in motion. I had just got a new distributor. I need to make sure my VIN is on the list so I can get my ignition switched replaced. It was a issue when I called Honda. Honda said that my car was never fixed previous but they couldn't help me. I would appreciate it if this matter can be resolved.

- Richmond , VA, USA

problem #13

Mar 222011

Civic 4-cyl

  • miles
Bought used June 2011 with about 169,000ish, was assured that everything was checked out. Drove back home with no problems, and then the problems began. Within two months the battery died, had to replace. In Jan of 2012 car began to overheat and I noticed a 2" crack on the top of the radiator, replaced. Now transmission hesitates and rpms go way up when shifting into fourth gear. I drained and changed the fluid with the recommended Honda fluid, and now the high rpms and slipping are occurring in all forward gears. I feel like a voice in a freaking tornado when it come to any reasonable solution to my problem. This has been a major blow to Honda's reputation for me. This seems to be an issue that needs to be addressed and an immediate safety recall needs to be taken out.

- Murphy, NC, USA

problem #12

Mar 012012

Civic 4-cyl

  • 171,000 miles

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

In compliance with NHTSA campaign id number 02V120000, a technician in the service department of an authorized dealer replaced the ignition switch in 2003. However, due to worn contacts, now this switch causes the engine to stall without warning and thereby increases the risk of a collision.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #11

Feb 232012

Civic

  • 258,000 miles
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Civic. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall sporadically and without warning. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign id number: 03V423000 (electrical system: Ignition: Switch) but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for further repairs. The failure and the current mileage was 258,000.

- Eastover , SC, USA

problem #10

Dec 012010

Civic 4-cyl

  • 135,000 miles
Vehicle stalls intermittently while driving, stopping, and accelerating. It will restart after a time period or after multiple attempts to restart. Vehicle stalled exiting the freeway, approaching a stop, and leaving an intersection, multiple times. Honda refused to repair the ignition switch even though a recall has been issued. Ref Honda recall id #43534, NHTSA #02V120000 I was not contacted by Honda for a repair even though I am the original owner. A search of the internet reveals hundreds of similar safety complaints regarding the ignition switch failure. I am now forced to repair at my own cost.

- Rochester Hills, MI, USA

problem #9

Apr 272011

Civic 4-cyl

  • miles
Just recently purchased my 1998 Honda Civic cx hatchback about 2 months ago, it had 112,608 miles, while reversing out of the dealership it stalled. First sign, I did not no it had a recall the car and just thought it was a fluke. It started right back up.2nd sign, while entering the highway it just quietly stopped running.. this was in February...on April 26, 2011 Tuesday, needed to crank the car two times to get it to started in the mourning, in the afternoon after work at 1:30 pm it needed to be started two times to start. At 5:00 pm car started up fine, six houses down to the stop sign and the car stopped again, parked the car and started the car right up. April 27 2011. Wednesday. 4:30 am car started right up. Stopped at sheetz gas station before work, motor stopped running but all the lights and radio were still on, parked and started it once.went to work. 1:30 pm started car up and was heading home. On the highway driving about 60 - 65 miles an hour car motor stops. First time it ever died while driving at highway speeds..put hazards on and parked on the side.parked and then started it once. Drove home...it is getting scary, I've put new spark plugs, ignition wires, to correct the problem of the motor stopping before I knew about the recalls on this year Civics. Went to Honda web sight and typed in my VIN number. This car had a recall. It said it was fixed. There has been three owners of this car. 1st. The person who bought it. 2nd. The cleveland Honda dealership. 3rd.me. Does a Honda dealership have to fix the recall in order for it to say fixed ? cause it wasn't in the car fax that they gave me..I would really like to know who fixed the ignition problem because it seems like this car is having the same symptoms again...electrical part of the ignition switch...

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #8

Feb 082011

Civic 4-cyl

  • 219,000 miles
My Honda Civic 1998 engine stalled two times in the past several months while driving. It is showing exact symptoms as the 2002 ignition switch recall. Over the last year it has also hiccupped several times like it was going to stall. I checked with Honda and they said my car was not included in the recall. I believe my car has the problem and should be included in the recall. I have not been using the original key so I will start doing that to see if that is the issue.

- Leola, PA, USA

problem #7

Sep 292010

Civic

  • 106,000 miles
Car shuts down at random intervals while being driven. This is an ignition switch failure. Usually restarts immediately. Very dangerous!! has died in oncoming traffic!! ignition switch replaced previously due to recall, evidently this is a recurring defect.

- Madisonville, KY, USA

problem #6

Mar 012010

Civic

  • 110,000 miles
While drving the vehicle, the engine just quits. There is no stuttering, stalling, or engine misfires, it quietly just quits. The radio, heater fan, brake lights still work but not the signal lights. This has happened many times, including while driving on the highway and busy state roads, creating havoc and extremely dangerous stituations as other cars swerve and angrily honk horns to avoid a collision. When I finally come a stop and try to re-start, it immediately re-starts and runs okay. It is impossible to predict when it will quit - weather and road conditions are not consistent when it fails each time. My mechanic first replaced the alternator but the problem continues. I did a web search and saw that there is a Honda recall for this exact same problem and other worktwo Honda dealers had no idea what to do other than to with Honda Civics and other models, including 1998. Unfortunately, my Honda dealer said that my VIN number is not included in the recall, even though the potentially fatal defect my car has with the ignition switch is the same basis for the Honda ignition switch recall issued in 2002.

- Brandon, FL, USA

problem #5

Aug 052009

Civic

  • 171,847 miles
My car falls under the recall for the Honda ignition switch. My VIN# says otherwise. However, my car is having all the same problems. I almost hit a wall on the interstate today because my car "quit". my car has done this a couple times. If it dies with out warning, usually I can put it in neutral and start it again... if it starts. I am having trouble talking with the Honda dealerships around here trying to get this figured out. I drive interstate everyday to work and back. I am worried that this could cause a serious and deadly crash with me and/or my children in the car.

- Council Bluffs, IA, USA

problem #4

Mar 062004

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,000 miles
1998 Honda Civic ex, engine cuts off while driving. No error codes to recover and happens radomly. New ignition coil and module installed and continues to happen. Fuel pressure is good, new plugs and wires installed. Will restart almost instantly.

- Pilot, VA, USA

problem #3

Mar 202004

Civic 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30 miles
While driving in traffic car would cut off with no warning. Ignition switch would not catch right away and cars RPM was down to three notches from zero when idling. Took car to mechanic 3/22/04 and then again 3/24/04 for car to go on diagnostic machine. Diagnostic testing showed electrical problem coming from distributor assembly. Mechanic contacted Honda and this was not a recall. I contacted geico for car to be fixed under mechanical breakdown that is included in my policy. Geico contacted mechanic concerning electrical problem and then authorized for car to be fixed which took from 3/25/04 - 4/1/04.

- Mount Vernon, NY, USA

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