1998 Honda Civic Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 96about this part
- Share
- 22%of 435 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 140,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 96 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Honda Civic, 22% of the 435 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 140,000 miles. 64 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We were on a city street, approached an unknown dip in the road. The airbags deployed, the headliner is shredded. There is no structural damage to the bumper, fenders or hood. The srs system light is on. The door locks won't work from the fob. The seatbelts do appear to be functioning correctly. I have waited for the recall to include 98's knowing that they would have to be included because of what happened to mine. I don't have pictures at this time but will provide.”
NHTSA complaint #11354740, filed 2020-09, 150,000 miles“Driving at 55 MPH a ford focus pulled straight out in front of me and came to a stop. I was approximately 1 car length away when they did this so I did not have time to stop and could not pull out around them because I would have been in oncoming traffic. I t-boned this vehicle doing 55 MPH and they were stopped. My front end hit directly on their front drivers side. Their front left fender and tire were bent in and both of their front air bags deployed. My whole front end was crushed in and the center of my hood looked like I hit a tree. None of my air bags deployed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10458149, filed 2012-05, 230,000 miles“I was traveling on a wet road at 40mph. When applied brakes, the body of the vehicle jerked forward abruptly and the brakes locked up on me, causing the vehicle to skid off road. The vehicle hit concrete blocks and totaled the front end. The air bags failed to deploy. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #10000354, filed 2002-12, 58,000 miles“I own a 1998 Honda Civic lx, and the srs light on. It cost me 64.00 to tell me there was nothing wrong. The Honda dealership said if goes on again they will replace the computer chip and will cost $500.00 to $700.00 to do that. They don't know what's causing it. I went on the internet and found lots of other people with Honda's with the same problem. It appears Honda is not taking the blame for it. How safe is it for me to drive my car with knowing the airbags won't go off? …”
NHTSA complaint #10080864, filed 2004-07, 50,179 miles“I was involved in an accident broadside another car with my front end. The front of my car ended up being totaled and my 1998 Honda Civic ex airbag did not deploy. I contacted both Honda corporate and they referred me to there 2 field specialists. There reply was my seat belt sensor told my airbag sensor it did not need to deploy. Honda said I had no case with them. I think all I got is the run around. I honestly want the answer to this question. Also to know why Honda does not stand behind what they make. I believe the airbag failed for some reason!! …”
NHTSA complaint #10247490, filed 2008-11, 114,000 milesRelated recalls
- 20V026000Jan 17, 2020Honda (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…Covers: Honda Civic 1996–2000, CR-V 1997–2000, Accord 1998–2000 +6 more
- 97V193000Nov 1, 1997Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front passenger air bag modules have been improperly assembled. The cloth flaps covering the folded air bag may…Covers: Honda Civic 1997–1998
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 3 | 4% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 8 | 3% |
| 2022 | 9 | 1% |
| 2021 | 9 | 6% |
| 2020 | 29 | 12% |
| 2019 | 12 | 3% |
| 2018 | 23 | 3% |
| 2017 | 24 | 4% |
| 2016 | 28 | 3% |
| 2015 | 58 | 15% |
| 2014 | 57 | 19% |
| 2013 | 114 | 36% |
| 2012 | 149 | 33% |
| 2011 | 51 | 30% |
| 2010 | 96 | 24% |
| 2009 | 95 | 24% |
| 2008 | 177 | 19% |
| 2007 | 156 | 13% |
| 2006 | 181 | 13% |
| 2005 | 129 | 41% |
| 2004 | 133 | 38% |
| 2003 | 140 | 28% |
| 2002 | 241 | 34% |
| 2001 | 310 | 29% |
| 2000 | 82 | 29% |
| 1999 | 58 | 17% |
| 1998 | 96 | 22% |
| 1997 | 140 | 38% |
| 1996 | 70 | 23% |
| 1995 | 76 | 38% |
| 1994 | 56 | 41% |
| 1993 | 27 | 18% |
| 1992 | 17 | 17% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1998 Honda Civic
88 complaintsEngine cooling
53 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
49 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsBody and structure
26 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaintsTires
18 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsEquipment
10 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Honda Civic
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology