Honda · CR-V · 1998
3
Recalls
128
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 1998 Honda CR-V has 3 recalls and 128 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: electrical system (35 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated May 4, 2026
The 1998 Honda CR-V page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is an older model year, the complaint history often reflects a longer ownership window and multiple maintenance stages. That makes pattern-reading more useful than a one-number comparison against a much newer vehicle. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is electrical system with 35 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
I WAS DRIVING NORMALLY, GOING 47MPH & ACCELERATING AS I WAS ABOUT TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC ON HIGH WAY, WHEN MY CARS ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED. I DIDENT EVEN NOTICE AT FIRST BECAUSE IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND QUIETLY. I ONLY NOTICED BECAUSE THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND I FOUND IT VERY DIFFI...
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TI...
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR ...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL, SHE WAS UNABLE TO INSERT THE KEY IN THE IGNITI...
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED CARDINAL HONDA (531 CT-12, GROTON, CT 06340; (860) 449-0411) WHERE...
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THE AIRBAGS IN THE 1998 HONDA CRV'S HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE WITH NO REMEDY, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE IN A VEHICLE OVER 20 YEARS OLD. THIS VEHICLE IS USED TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY AND IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT HONDA CAN ALLOW SUCH A FATAL PROBLEM TO GO UNSOLVED FOR SO ...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER LEE'S SUMMIT HONDA LOCATED AT 401 NE COLBERN RD, LEE'S SUMMIT, MO 64806 WAS C...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. STEPHEN WADE HONDA (1630 S HILTON DR, ST. GEORGE, UT 84770, (435) 628-6100) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIR...
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THIS AIRBAG HAS BEEN RECALLED 3/20 AND AS OF 8/20 ARE STILL NOT PROVIDING THE PARTS FOR REPAIR, THEY HAVE BEEN PROMISING FREE REPAIR FOR 5 MONTHS NOW, AND WE HAVE BEEN PAYING INSURANCE ON THE CAR BUT ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 HONDA CR-V. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED HONDA OF SANTA FE (7511A CERRILLOS RD, SANTA FE, NM 87507; (505) ...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 128 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 1998 Honda models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 1998 Honda CR-V has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 128 owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Honda CR-V.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 1998 Honda CR-V.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 1998 Honda CR-V are electrical system (35 reports), air bags (19 reports), engine and engine cooling (9 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 1998 Honda CR-V. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.