VehicleVerdict

1998 Honda Accord transmission problems

The 1998 Honda Accord has 281 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 20% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

281

Transmission complaints

20%

Share of year

13

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

98V018000TransmissionFebruary 10, 1998 · 33,966 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES (HONDA ACCORD SEDANS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 18, 1997 TO JANUARY 10, 1998; COUPES MANUFACTURED DECEMBER 11, DECEMBER 15, 1997, AND JANUARY 5, 1998; ACURA 2.3CL MANUFACTURED OCTOBER 22, 1997 THROUGH JANUARY 7, 1998). DURING MANUFACTURING, THE CASTING DIE CAUSED AN IRREGULARITY IN THE RIGHT-SIDE TRANSMISSION COVER. THIS IRREGULARITY CAN LIMIT THE MOVEMENT OF THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATION LEVEL AND PREVENT ADEQUATE ENGAGEMENT OF THE PARKING GEAR PAWL. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN AN INCLINE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED IN "PARK," INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COLLAR ON THE TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL TO ENSURE PROPER MOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATION LEVER.

What owners report

UPON EXITING A PARKING LOT AT 15 MPH ENGINE REVVED AND VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, AND WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP DIDN'T SPECIFY THE SPECIFIC FAILURE, THEY JUST SAID THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 29, 2003 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1998 Honda Accord have?

NHTSA has 281 complaints about the 1998 Honda Accord transmission — 20% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Honda Accord transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 98V018000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.