Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here.
Owners have filed 1,239 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Honda Accord, and it carries 19 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 270 | 22% |
| Power train | 258 | 21% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 111 | 9% |
| Air bags | 60 | 5% |
| Structure | 47 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 47 | 4% |
| Suspension | 42 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 35 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 29 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 28 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
When I was driving my 98 Honda accord lx . I notice it shuts off itself if hitting a hard bump . Then I noticed online they had folks saying that the ignition switch was beginning to be a big issue . I nearly died after
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns an Evenflo Car Seat, Model Number: 36412348, Model Type: Nurture Max, Manufactured Date: 8/17/2022. The car seat was being utilized in a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact stated that she noticed that the la
NHTSA complaint: Child seat
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord Sedan. The contact stated stopped at a traffic light, a second vehicle crashed full onto the rear bumper of her vehicle. The contact stated that her trunk and side rear panels were cr
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. Additionally, the battery had to be recharged on several occasions in o
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Honda refuses to replace recalled airbags. I've been trying for a year and even when they "order" the part they don't have it when I arrive. This has happened repeatedly. I was in a car accident today and the airbags did
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
DURING THE NORMAL SPEED ON THE 40 MILE PER HOUR STREET TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY STACK AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 30 MILE PER HOUR .AFTER THAT DATE THIS CONDITION CONTINUES ON AND OFF .ON THE OTHER SIDE T
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I WAS IN A BAD ACCIDENT I WAS IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE ON THE HIGHWAY I'M GOING 55MPH SOMEONE JUMPED IN FRONT OF ME I USED MY BREAKS THEN MY CAR JERKED RIGHT INTO THE OTHER PERSON CAR CAUSING MY CAR TO SPIN AROUND 2 TI
NHTSA complaint: Steering
MY CAR KEPT JERKING IT ALSO HAD STOP WHILE MY FEET WAS ON THE METAL WHILE ON EXIT 41 MY CAR SPIN AROUND AND ALMOST COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER CAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 19 recall campaigns for the 1998 Honda Accord. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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, 1997-1
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 p
Fix: 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
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND A
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIA
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
Fix: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPM
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.
| Reliability | 35 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 62 | average |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 83 | excellent |
| Performance | 48 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,239 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 270 of them (22%). There are 19 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 35/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 62/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip, because the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here. Its overall ownership score is 61/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.