1998 Honda CR-V: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 128 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (30% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 128 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was driving normally, going 47mph & accelerating as I was about to merge into traffic on high way, when my cars engine suddenly died. I dident even notice at first because it happened suddenly and quietly. I only noticed because the steering locked up and I found it very difficult to turn the wheel. I was able to put on my hazard lights and stop the car on the side of the freeway. Car would not run since this happened. Car will start but die on idel. Have replaced starter, main relay, ignition, spark plugs and have had 4 auto shops look at it and still no one can figure out the issue..”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2021
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 honda cr-v. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Honda of fort myers (14020 s. Tamiami trl, fort myers, fl 33912, 239-288-2397) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 honda cr-v. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. An unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2020
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“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 honda cr-v. The contact stated the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 02v120000 (electrical system), however the failure recurred. The contact stated that while vehicle was at a stand still, she was unable to insert the key in the ignition. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 honda cr-v. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called cardinal honda (531 ct-12, groton, ct 06340; (860) 449-0411) where it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.*dt*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2020
“The airbags in the 1998 honda crv's have been found to be defective with no remedy, which is absolutely unacceptable in a vehicle over 20 years old. This vehicle is used to transport my family and it is unbelievable that honda can allow such a fatal problem to go unsolved for so many years. They should be held accountable for any injuries sustained due to these dysfunctional airbags until they are able to replace said airbags without charge.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 honda cr-v. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer lee's summit honda located at 401 ne colbern rd, lee's summit, mo 64806 was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 honda cr-v. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. Stephen wade honda (1630 s hilton dr, st. George, ut 84770, (435) 628-6100) was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“This airbag has been recalled 3/20 and as of 8/20 are still not providing the parts for repair, they have been promising free repair for 5 months now, and we have been paying insurance on the car but are afraid to drive it.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 honda cr-v. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called honda of santa fe (7511a cerrillos rd, santa fe, nm 87507; (505) 471-7007) where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN IMPROPERLY ROUTED UNDER DASH WIRE HARNESS COULD BE DAMAGED BY CONTACT WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A BLOWN FUSE. IF THIS OCCURS, OPERATION OF A CRITICAL COMPONENT CAN BE LOST, INCLUDING WINDSHIELD WIPERS, HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LAMPS, TAIL LAMPS, THE ANTI-LOCKING FUNCTION OF THE BRAKES, AND BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A 70MM PROTECTIVE, CORRUGATED PLASTIC TUBE OVER THE WIRE HARNESS, IN THE AREA OF THE BRAKE STOP SWITCH. IF ANY WIRE OR WIRES ARE DAMAGED, THEY WILL BE REPAIRED.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 CR-V 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 Honda CR-V reliable?
NHTSA has 128 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Honda CR-V. The most complained-about area is electrical system (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Honda CR-V problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 123,552 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Honda CR-V have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring:interior/under dash. 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.