1998 Honda ACCORD problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
934 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 491 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 179 of 934 complaints (19.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 199 | 21.3% |
| Engine operation | 113 | 12.1% |
| Braking behavior | 78 | 8.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 70 | 7.5% |
| Steering behavior | 48 | 5.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 13 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 179 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 142 |
| Electrical System | 97 |
| Air Bags | 45 |
| Structure:Body | 38 |
| Unknown Or Other | 34 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 33 |
| Suspension | 31 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 179; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 142; Electrical System: 97; Air Bags: 45; Structure:Body: 38; Unknown Or Other: 34; Engine And Engine Cooling: 33; Suspension: 31
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 32 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 74 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 112 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 141 |
| 150,000 and above | 114 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 32; 50,000 to 74,999: 74; 75,000 to 99,999: 112; 100,000 to 149,999: 141; 150,000 and above: 114
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (141). 443 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 57 |
| 2001 | 62 |
| 2002 | 148 |
| 2003 | 126 |
| 2004 | 126 |
| 2005 | 39 |
| 2006 | 34 |
| 2007 | 28 |
| 2008 | 41 |
| 2009 | 36 |
| 2010 | 34 |
| 2011 | 26 |
| 2012 | 22 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2014 | 33 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 22 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2000: 57; 2001: 62; 2002: 148; 2003: 126; 2004: 126; 2005: 39; 2006: 34; 2007: 28; 2008: 41; 2009: 36; 2010: 34; 2011: 26; 2012: 22; 2013: 19; 2014: 33; 2015: 31; 2016: 13; 2017: 13; 2018: 12; 2019: 3; 2020: 22; 2021: 5; 2022: 2; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 199 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 113 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 78 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001912 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH ONLY 54,168 MILES ON VEHICLE. MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE PUMP ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND SECONDARY SHAFT TO OVERHEAR AND WEAR OUT. CONSUMER HAD 52,500 MILE SERVICE PERFORMED ON VEHICLE BY DEALER WHO DID NOT DISCOVER ANY TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT THAT TIME. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 54,168 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001912 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002373 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE PARKWAY, CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED LOOSING POWER. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER STATES ONE WEEK LATER VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE, HARD TO SWITCH GEARS, AND THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004192 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CONSUMER STATES ONCE YOU SLOW DOWN TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006050 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)
NAR 1/29/2003. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR STALLING AND SPUTTERING ISSUES. HONDA ISSUED A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THE CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW WOULD NOT WORK WHEN THE CONTROL PANEL WAS USED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003957 · 2002-12-21 (December 21, 2002)
WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF AND PARKING BRAKE IS ENGAGED. CONSUMERS KEY WILL NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONSUMERS TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED IN WHICH HE INCURRED THE LABOR CHARGE OF $572.40. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION HAPPENED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO HIM. THE CONSUMER HAS A HONDA CR-V THAT HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AS WELL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006041 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
NAR 1/31/2003. THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED AND THEN HESITATED WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006041 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021516 · 2003-06-12 (June 12, 2003)
REFERENCE COMPLAINT #10008215: NHTSA ASSISTED IN ARRANGING A MEETING WITH MIKE MONELL PART/SERVICE DIRECTOR FOR NORM REEVES HONDA AND ERIC CATHERINE, DISTRICT PARTS/SERVICE MGR. FOR AMERICAN HONDA. THE MEETING TOOK PLACE ON 3/24/03 AND I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MY 2003 HYBRID AND MY 1998 ACCORD. THE PRIMARY CONCERN ABOUT THE ACCORD WAS THE RECALL OF ELECTRICAL PORTION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. NORM REEVES HAD CLAIMED TO INSTALL A COMPLETE IGNITION SWITCH ON THE INSTRUCTIONS OF AMERICAN HONDA. AFTER THE ALLEGED REPAIR, THE VEHICLE C…
Owner-reported narrative. 53,008 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021516 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033072 · 2003-08-18 (August 18, 2003)
THIS COMPLAINT IS SIMILAR TO INVESTIGATION NUMBER PE 03-014. MY WIFE'S 1998 HONDA ACCORD (4 CYLINDER WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) ROLLED AWAY FROM THE SPOT WHERE SHE HAD PARKED IT. APPARENTLY SHE HAD LEFT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, BUT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. WHEN SHE RETURNED FROM HER ERRAND, THE CAR WAS NO LONGER IN THE PARKING SPOT WHERE SHE HAD LEFT IT. THE CAR HAD ROLLED ABOUT 75 FEET AWAY, SOMEHOW MANAGING TO MISS SEVERAL OTHER CARS IN THE PARKING LOT. THANKFULLY, SHE AND OUR BABY WEREN'T HALFWAY OUT THE CAR DOOR WHE…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033072 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004654 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED AN IGNITION SWITCH AND STEERING RECALL WITH THIS VEHICLE. (RECALL # FOR THE IGNITION PROBLEM IS-02V120000) SCC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004654 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014623 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
THE VEHICLE HAD NO STEERING, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BECOME HARD TO CONTROL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10112952 · 2005-02-16 (February 16, 2005)
CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE FUEL INJECTOR REPLACED ON 1998 HONDA ACCORD. *BF ALTHOUGH EACH COMPONENT WAS REPLACED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY WITH A SENSOR. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10112952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10118234 · 2005-04-21 (April 21, 2005)
I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND HAVE HAD TWO AXLES REPLACED, AS WELL AS ROTORS AND BREAKS REPLACED TWICE. THE BRAKES WEAR, THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE HORN DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN PUSHED. RECENTLY I WENT TO GET AN INSPECTION STICKER AND FAILED BECAUSE OF THE EMISSIONS PART. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE A BULB IS MALFUNCTIONING WHICH MEANS THERE IS NO SENSOR, MY THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THERE IS SUPPOSEDLY A PROBLEM WITH MY FUEL TANK EVAPORATIVE EMISSION VALVE. RECENTLY MY CAR H…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10118234 at NHTSA ↗