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Electrical systemPart report

1998 Honda Civic Electrical system Problems

Complaints
88about this part
Share
20%of 435 total for the year
Median mileage
128,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 88 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Honda Civic, 20% of the 435 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 128,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“On saturday, 01/17/2015, while driving at approximately 25 MPH on busy street car stalled while driving. I had to pull over to middle median lane, and then received help to push car out of busy street/traffic to safety on sidestreet curb. The car would not start, it cranked and tried to turn over but would not start. I had to be pushed home by neighbor. After taking it to mechanic, I have had the coil replaced, distributor replaced, spark plugs and wires replaced as well as a sensor. The car still will not start. …”

NHTSA complaint #10676462, filed 2015-01, 153,000 miles

“My Honda Civic 1998 engine stalled and I almost got into an accident. I took my car to the mechanic, after inspection he told me that the ignition switch has a flaw and Honda had a recall. I checked with Honda and they said my car was not included in the recall. The recall # is 97v193000. I believe my car has the problem and should be included in the recall.”

NHTSA complaint #10127666, filed 2005-07, 85,900 miles

“Faulty ignition switch on a 1998 Honda Civic ex at 110,000 miles. It was causing frequent stalling and dangerous situations at times. We have had it replaced but not sure it solved the problem. We were never notified of this safety issue on this car.”

NHTSA complaint #10331357, filed 2010-05, 110,000 miles

“My Honda Civic 1998 engine stalled two times in the past several months while driving. It is showing exact symptoms as the 2002 ignition switch recall. Over the last year it has also hiccupped several times like it was going to stall. I checked with Honda and they said my car was not included in the recall. I believe my car has the problem and should be included in the recall. I have not been using the original key so I will start doing that to see if that is the issue.”

NHTSA complaint #10381433, filed 2011-02, 219,000 miles

“There is a recall on 1998 Honda civics for the ignition. I am being told my car is not in the recall . My car should be part of the recall it is stalling in the middle of traffic due to the ignition losing it's connection . It has almost cost me my life a few times . The car has become unusable due to this problem. When I was driving on the hi way doing 67 miles a hour the car just stopped. Luckily I was able to get it to the side before I was hit . It has done this now every time I try to drive . The mechanic told me what was wrong and told me to check about the recall . …”

NHTSA complaint #10826038, filed 2016-02, 215,770 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026516%
202568%
202486%
2023177%
2022384%
20211812%
20203716%
2019378%
2018618%
201710317%
201611911%
2015287%
20143913%
20133912%
20126013%
2011169%
2010236%
2009369%
2008516%
2007676%
20061007%
2005268%
2004329%
20035110%
2002497%
2001595%
20003813%
199911835%
19988820%
1997308%
1996176%
1995126%
199421%
19932517%
19922829%
19912220%
19901820%
19891116%
1988715%
1986411%

Other parts of the 1998 Honda Civic

Air bags
96 complaints
Engine cooling
53 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
49 complaints
Vehicle speed control
29 complaints
Body and structure
26 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
24 complaints
Tires
18 complaints
Other or unknown
16 complaints
Brakes
11 complaints
Fuel system
11 complaints
Equipment
10 complaints
Seat belts
10 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 Honda Civic

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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