1998 Honda Civic electrical system problems

The 1998 Honda Civic has 99 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 20% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Electrical System complaints

20%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Civic electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

02V120000Electrical SystemMay 16, 2002 · 1,000,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING AT 34 MPH A FIRE STARTED IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *MR”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 29, 2004 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1998 Honda Civic have?

NHTSA has 99 complaints about the 1998 Honda Civic electrical system — 20% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Honda Civic electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 02V120000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.