1998 Honda Civic recalls

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 1998 Honda Civic. Between them they involve air bags, fuel system and electrical system. The most recent was received on January 17, 2020.

January 17, 2020Air bags

Air Bag Inflators May Rupture or Underinflate Bag

NHTSA campaign 20V-026 · 1,439,841 vehicles potentially affected · Air bags

The 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.

The risk: 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.

The 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.
November 1, 2007Fuel system

CNG fuel tank thermal insulator

NHTSA campaign 07V-512 · 6,545 vehicles potentially affected · Fuel system, other

The defect: On certain compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, in the event of a severe interior fire in the area of the rear seat, the CNG tank may be heated unevenly, preventing the pressure relief device from venting the contents of the tank as designed.

The risk: This could result in a tank rupture, explosion, and ejection of the tank from the vehicle.

The remedy: Dealers will install a heat insulator material to the rear seat back. An interim owner letter was mailed to owners beginning november 26, 2007. When parts are available, owners will be renotified asking them to bring in their vehicle for repair. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
May 16, 2002Electrical system

Honda/ignition switch

NHTSA campaign 02V-120 · 1,000,000 vehicles potentially affected · Electrical system

The 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.

The risk: Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

The 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.
November 1, 1997Air bags

Autoliv/honda/air bag module

NHTSA campaign 97V-193 · 9,558 vehicles potentially affected · Air bags

The 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.

The risk: 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.

The remedy: Dealers will repair the front passenger's air bag module to prevent this problem from occurring.

Check by VIN

A campaign rarely covers every Civic built in 1998. Enter your 17-character VIN to find the recall campaigns filed for your make, model and model year. The VIN is on the driver’s side of the dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the door-jamb label, and on your registration and insurance documents.

Is a recall still open on your vehicle? Only NHTSA’s official VIN check can say whether a campaign applies to your exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been done.

Your VIN is decoded with NHTSA’s public vPIC service to identify the make, model and year. It is not stored and is not added to any page address.

What 1998 Honda Civic owners should do

Check your VIN on NHTSA’s lookup to see which of these campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether any are still open.
Call a Honda dealer and book the repair, quoting the campaign numbers (20V-026, 07V-512, 02V-120, 97V-193).
If you have bought the vehicle used, the recall still applies: the repair is free whoever owns the vehicle now.
Make sure your current address is on file with the manufacturer so the owner letters reach you.

Other Honda Civic model years

Common questions

Does the 1998 Honda Civic have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 4 campaigns for the 1998 Honda Civic: 20V-026 (Air Bag Inflators May Rupture or Underinflate Bag); 07V-512 (CNG fuel tank thermal insulator); 02V-120 (Honda/ignition switch); 97V-193 (Autoliv/honda/air bag module).

How do I know if my 1998 Honda Civic has an open recall?

Enter your VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup. Most campaigns cover only part of a model year’s production, and the lookup also shows whether the repair has already been done on your vehicle.

Will the dealer charge to fix the 1998 Honda Civic?

No. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge by Honda dealers. Quote the NHTSA campaign number when you book.