1998 Acura Integra: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 21 owner complaints on record; most reports concern steering; the 1999 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The hood latch assembly becomes loose or no longer functions as normal when closing the hood. This prevents the hood from closing completely and makes it dangerous to drive the vehicle at higher speeds such as highways without risking the hood flipping up or breaking off the vehicle which can cause dangerous accidents. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jan 2011
“1988 acura integra ls driving west on adams hill st. At ft. Sumter in san antonio, tex., about 6pm, 09/21/05. All of a sudden the car started spurting (missing) and the engine started smoking and caught fire as a result of an electrical failure. The fire was put out firer extinguisher and fire dept. The engine/elec.wires was totaled and beyond repair and no repairs done to date. Report to farmers ins., fire department, and process reporting to police. This is first electrical fire on this care since owned. Appears main fuse box ignited. Seems like manufacturer defect. Quick action prevented loss of life. The igniter was replaced in this car as result of recall. *nm”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2005
“While trying to make a slight turn to right, (because of bend in road), the steering locked and then released which caused an over compensation to the right and resulted in a crash into a fence causing extensive property damage. The air bags failed to deploy causing a minor head injury. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“NHTSA#14845-02-e-020-001 april 4/2000 ball joints:replacement for steering or suspension systems: the material used in the manufacturer of the sealing boot can deteriorate over time permitting foreign objects such as water, dirt to infiltrate the sealing boot cause rust inside the ball joints. Ts”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2003
“Consumer can hear popping noise in steering wheel while driving. This can result in loss of steering. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.*ak”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2002
“This was a 45 mph front end collision and neither the drivers or the passenger airbags deployed, causing the driver to hit head and chest on windshield and dashboard (driver was wearing seat-belt). Have contacted local acura dealer where car was purchased and they refuse to take any responsibility or action regarding this matter. I have owned other cars where a 15 mph front end collision has caused air bags to deploy. Acrua has a problem with this vehicle.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2000
“While following a slight curve the steering wheel locked causing the vehicle to veer to the right of the road and crash against cement blocks which were lined up along the edge of the road, resulting in damages in excess of 5000.00. Acura does not want to be responsible and did not want to fix the problem under warranty. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2000
“Consumer stated within four years the vehicle has been in two accidents. This due to lower control arm breakage and excessive wear of the ball joints. There were no injuries both times and the vehicle was struck from the back in each instance. The vehicle was in need of complete ball joint and lower control arm work. *ph *ts *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 1999
“Battery leaks, occurred twice- by separate units - could have caused fire by burning hole in charcoal canister (post emmissions storage 3-31). Second incident discovered 9-12, could have traumatic impact on ABS motor relay system(wire harness directly under battery mount).”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 1999
“While driving tried to get onto another lane and the steering wheel locked up. Once the steering wheel locked up, driver felt something vibrating under the vehicle. All of a sudden the wheel started turning, but the column was locked, causing the driver not to be able to turn the wheel. The vehicle went into the middle lane and hit a cement wall. Then finally the wheel turned again and went into the barrel in the street. Driver did step on the brakes, the vehicle still crashed into the wall. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Apr 1998
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. 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 EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. 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 EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: 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 EAGLE EYES AND SONAR HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON 1988-2005 HONDA CIVIC, 1990-2005 HONDA ACCORD, AND 1990-2001 ACURA INTEGRA PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: TOM MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF NONCOMPLIANT LIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOM MOTORSPORT AT 626-968-4007.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Integra by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Acura Integra reliable?
NHTSA has 21 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Acura Integra. The most complained-about area is steering.
Does the 1998 Acura Integra have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.