1998 Honda CR-V problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 1998 Honda CR-V is among the quieter years of the CR-V on NHTSA's books: 136 complaints (74% below the model's median year), 3 recalls, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 38 reports (28% of the total).

136

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other CR-V years?

CR-V NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CR-V years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Honda CR-V problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Electrical System	38	28%	— flat
Airbags	19	14%	▼ down
Engine	15	11%	▲ up
Transmission	8	6%	▲ up
Brakes	7	5%	▲ up
Tires & Wheels	7	5%	— flat
Steering	6	4%	▲ up
Other	5	4%	▲ up
Body & Structure	5	4%	▲ up
Suspension	5	4%	▲ up
Visibility & Wipers	4	3%	▲ up
Latches & Locks	4	3%	new
Lighting	4	3%	▲ up
Speed Control	3	2%	▼ down
Seat Belts	3	2%	▼ down
Fuel System	2	1%	▲ up
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	1%	new

Does the 1998 Honda CR-V have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

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.

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.

99V282000Electrical SystemOctober 19, 1999 · 100,891 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LIGHTING OR A FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN BAD WEATHER, COULD BE HAZARDOUS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I RECENTLY READ THE PRESS REGARDING FIRES STARTING UNDERNEATH HONDA CRVS. LAST YEAR, FOLLOWING AN OIL CHANGE, I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND HEARD PEOPLE SCREAMING AT ME FROM THEIR CARS-THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER MY CAR. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER AND, BY THEN, THE FIRE WAS OUT. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE BACK TO MY…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 15, 2003 · fire

“VEHICLE EXPERIENCES DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH AIR BAGS WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. NO POTHOLE OR ANYTHING WAS HIT OR ROLLED OVER TO CAUSE THIS CONDITION TO HAPPEN. VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL, CAUSING CONSUMER SERIOUS INJURIES AND PASSENGER MINOR INJURIES. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 23, 1999 · crash

“PULLED OUT AT STOP SIGN NO CARS WERE COMMING BUT CAR SHUT OFF WAS HIT FRONT DRIVERS SIDE CAR WAS FIXED BUT STILL SHUTS OFF AT IDLE OR MOVING HONDA AT GREENCASTLE PA SAYS THEY CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. *TR”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 3, 2013 · crash

“INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS WAS DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER INDICATED THAT WATER GOT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THEN, TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK *MR”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission

“1998 HONDA CRV LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. *TS THE DRIVER'S SIDE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT WHEN IT CAME INTO CONTACT WITH AN OBJECT IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO STRIKE THE CONCRETE BARRIER. *NM”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 24, 2005 · crash

1998 Honda CR-V — common questions

Is the 1998 Honda CR-V reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 136 NHTSA complaints, below the typical CR-V year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1998 CR-V problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (38 complaints), airbags (19 complaints), engine (15 complaints).

Does the 1998 Honda CR-V have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Honda CR-V. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Honda CR-V years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CR-V years to avoid are 2018, 2017, 2019, 2008, 2007, 2015, 2014, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2003, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2020, 2022. The cleanest record among CR-V years belongs to 1997.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1998 compare to other CR-V years?

What are the most common 1998 Honda CR-V problems?

Does the 1998 Honda CR-V have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1998 Honda CR-V — common questions

Is the 1998 Honda CR-V reliable?

What are the most common 1998 CR-V problems?

Does the 1998 Honda CR-V have recalls?

Which Honda CR-V years should you avoid?

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