Model year record

1998 Honda Civic

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 502 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V026000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Vehicles affected
1,439,841
Reported to NHTSA
2020-01-17
Owners notified
2020-10-01

Defect description

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V512000

Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Vehicles affected
6,545
Reported to NHTSA
2007-11-01
Owners notified
2007-11-15

Defect description

ON CERTAIN COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) VEHICLES, IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE INTERIOR FIRE IN THE AREA OF THE REAR SEAT, THE CNG TANK MAY BE HEATED UNEVENLY, PREVENTING THE PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICE FROM VENTING THE CONTENTS OF THE TANK AS DESIGNED.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN A TANK RUPTURE, EXPLOSION, AND EJECTION OF THE TANK FROM THE VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A HEAT INSULATOR MATERIAL TO THE REAR SEAT BACK. AN INTERIM OWNER LETTER WAS MAILED TO OWNERS BEGINNING NOVEMBER 26, 2007. WHEN PARTS ARE AVAILABLE, OWNERS WILL BE RENOTIFIED ASKING THEM TO BRING IN THEIR VEHICLE FOR REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V120000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
1,000,000
Reported to NHTSA
2002-05-16
Owners notified
2002-06-14

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

Safety risk

WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V193000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
9,558
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-01
Owners notified
1997-10-25

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED. THE CLOTH FLAPS COVERING THE FOLDED AIR BAG MAY HAVE BEEN TUCKED IN TOO FAR.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. IN A CRASH, AN IMPROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG MODULE TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal6165,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission4067,200 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch38118,000 mi
Air bags32150,000 mi
Electrical system22168,500 mi
Unknown or other1760,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1679,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition1581,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1375,000 mi
Tires1315,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1135,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1089,940 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline9
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal83,570 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator745,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls795,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner6
Power train: manual transmission6
Vehicle speed control: cruise control630,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly592,000 mi
Structure: frame and members5
Suspension545 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4
Structure: body4230,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers4
Structure: body: door4
Structure: body: trunk lid4
Tires: tread/belt430,000 mi
Visibility: windshield4
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module391,891 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3
Electrical system: ignition: module3
Engine3160,000 mi
Equipment3
Exterior lighting335,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery3
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap3
Seats345 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner365,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
Steering396,702 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages3
Visibility: glass, side/rear3
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices3
Electrical system: wiring240,137 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Electronic stability control (ESC)2153,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2100,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights255,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2115,000 mi
Interior lighting2
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2150,000 mi
Power train2
Seat belts: front2
Service brakes2115,000 mi
Structure2173,000 mi
Structure: body: hood2
Suspension: rear2
Vehicle speed control: cables2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior2
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor2
Air bags: on-off switch assembly1
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1134,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk160,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)111,950 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump134,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, other1162,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift153,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Seat belts1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1109,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump189,940 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments1
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: rear: shock absorber111,591 mi
Tires: sidewall186,000 mi
Tires: valve1
Visibility/wiper1110,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.