VehicleVerdict

1998 Honda Civic airbags problems

The 1998 Honda Civic has 97 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 19% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

97

Airbags complaints

19%

Share of year

65

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

Civic airbags complaints by model year323 complaints1990: 1 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 18 complaints1993: 29 complaints1994: 66 complaints1995: 83 complaints1996: 75 complaints1997: 146 complaints1998: 97 complaints1999: 60 complaints2000: 86 complaints2001: 323 complaints2002: 249 complaints2003: 141 complaints2004: 136 complaints2005: 128 complaints2006: 185 complaints2007: 158 complaints2008: 178 complaints2009: 97 complaints2010: 98 complaints2011: 51 complaints2012: 149 complaints2013: 111 complaints2014: 57 complaints2015: 57 complaints2016: 27 complaints2017: 22 complaints2018: 22 complaints2019: 8 complaints2020: 29 complaints2021: 8 complaints2022: 9 complaints2023: 7 complaints2024: 2 complaints2025: 3 complaints
Civic airbags complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

20V026000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 1,439,841 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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 protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

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.

97V193000AirbagsNovember 1, 1997 · 9,558 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED. THE CLOTH FLAPS COVERING THE FOLDED AIR BAG MAY HAVE BEEN TUCKED IN TOO FAR.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. IN A CRASH, AN IMPROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG MODULE TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING.

What owners report

“VEHICLE STRUCK REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, BRAKES WERE LOCKED AT 40 MPH, SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK,ALLOWING DRIVERS FACE TO HIT STEERING WHEEL, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, HONDA CONTACTED, AND HAS SHOWN NO INTEREST IN INVESTIGATING OR CHECKING THE CAR. STATED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 5, 1999 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 1998 Honda Civic have?

NHTSA has 97 complaints about the 1998 Honda Civic airbags — 19% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Honda Civic airbags?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the airbags: 20V026000, 97V193000.

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.