VehicleVerdict

1998 Honda CR-V electrical system problems

The 1998 Honda CR-V has 38 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 28% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

38

Electrical System complaints

28%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

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.

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1998 Honda CR-V have?

NHTSA has 38 complaints about the 1998 Honda CR-V electrical system — 28% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Honda CR-V electrical system?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the electrical system: 02V120000, 99V282000.

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.