10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,909 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 engine problems

engine problem

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1998 Honda Civic Owner Comments

problem #11

Jun 292002

Civic

  • 35,000 miles

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

While driving on and approaching one of if not the largest socal freeway interchanges, driving at about 70mph or so, back to la from san diego; our 1998 Civic LX took control of itself and the speed increased to over 105mph, shaking and thumping. After weaving around pockets of traffic, including using the small shoulders, and all 5 or so lanes, as we approached the massive merging of freeways, panicked, we stomped and banged the floor, dash, everything. As shock wore off we thought we were dead, somehow put car (auto trans) into neutral, I believe we may have turned off the car at some point, the brakes finally started to work. Gas pedal was absolutely not stuck (this model was already repaired due to a floor matt recall), feet were not even on the gas as it started to happen (not in cruise, just shock). The car simply took off. We are forever traumatized by this experience and never thought to report until recent news reports. Approx date is really unknown but the year was 2002 as I soon after bought another car.

- Wynnewood, PA, USA

problem #10

Jan 252005

Civic 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles
Regarding my 1998 Honda passport - stop and go traffic. Put foot on brake and car suddenly accelerated. Put both feet on brake, engine sounded like it had been kicked into passing gear. Brakes were squealing. Rear ended vehicle in front of me. Vehicle I hit jumped forward and my passport continued to rev and lurch forward striking the vehicle again. After the 2nd strike the engine kicked back down. I'm seeing similar reports regarding the passport and it's sister/brother the rodeo. This is dangerous. Thankfully no one was injured this time. This car can't be trusted.

- Berne, NY, USA

problem #9

May 012000

Civic

  • miles
Due to a defective transmission system, vehicle slips while driving which causes rpms to go up. This may cause a crash. Dealer said they need to replace transmission.

- Atascadero, CA, USA

problem #8

Mar 041999

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While driving the vehicle at 60mph in March, the vehicle would not decelerate after brakes were applied. Checked cruise control which was not on. Checked gas pedal to see if stuck. Had guided vehicle to off ramp & manged to turn it off. Shifted into neutral & nothing worked. Took vehicle to dealer & mechanic could not duplicate problem. Vehicle is now jerking also, 6 months later.

- Oaklawn, IL, USA

problem #7

Jul 201999

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 10 mph vehicle continued to accelerate without any warning. Occupant applied the brakes which were inoperative. It resulted in a crash.

- Moscow, PA, USA

problem #6

Jun 071999

(reported on)

Civic

  • miles
Cruise control was set at 55 mph. Consumer went to apply the brakes, and they did not disengage cruise control, causing vehicle not stop. Also, brakes were totally inoperative, causing loss of control.

- Clarksville, OH, USA

problem #5

Jun 021999

Civic

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

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

While driving, cruise control failed to disengage. Consumer attempted to disengage cruise control with the brake pedal several times, consumer finally came to a stop on the side of a road, dealer states there is no problem with the vehicle.

- Clarksville, OH, USA

problem #4

May 271999

Civic

  • miles
While parking, car suddenly accelerated up over two curbs and a grass hill (one curb on each side of the hill), sideswiping another car until the engine finally cut off. Dealer could not duplicate problem and denies that the car could have caused this acceleration.

- Ardmore, PA, USA

problem #3

Feb 131999

Civic

  • miles
While accelerating on to a highway, the accelerator pedal felt as though it was pulled to the floor and the car began accelerating out of control. I was in 5th gear and put the car into neutral, but it kept accelerating. I finally turned the ignition off [key] and coasted to the shoulder. Took car to dealer and was told no problem, that they were 99% sure the car mat must have gotten stuck under the pedal. I don't think so.

- Fair Lawn, NJ, USA

problem #2

Jul 021998

Civic

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Vehicle experinced sudden acceleration resulting in vehicle collision.

- Park Forest, IL, USA

problem #1

Jul 151998

Civic

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving in a parking space, vehicle accelerated and went over concrete in space and hit a wall. Repairs done, both airbags deployed. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.

- Elizabeth, NJ, USA

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