1998 Honda Civic Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 1%of 435 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1998 Honda Civic, 1% of the 435 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Since 2006 we have had seven replacements of the headlights. Honda has changed bulbs and entire harnesses. We have not been ticketed yet at night, but that and having an accident always hangs over our head.”
NHTSA complaint #10295809, filed 2009-12, 35,000 miles“Concerns with plastic lens coverings in headlight assembly. The consumer has noticed that the plastic headlight lenses, on the majority of autos/trucks produced since the 1990's, are becoming discolored/opaque over time. The discoloration severely reduces visibility. The car would not pass inspection because of the headlights.”
NHTSA complaint #10075638, filed 2005-03, 55,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 4 | 2% |
| 2022 | 2 | 0% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 3 | 0% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 30 | 3% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 7 | 2% |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% |
| 2012 | 10 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 10 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 1% |
| 2007 | 14 | 1% |
| 2006 | 23 | 2% |
| 2005 | 6 | 2% |
| 2004 | 12 | 3% |
| 2003 | 23 | 5% |
| 2002 | 53 | 8% |
| 2001 | 62 | 6% |
| 2000 | 9 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 5 | 1% |
| 1997 | 6 | 2% |
| 1996 | 13 | 4% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 7 | 6% |
| 1990 | 4 | 4% |
| 1989 | 1 | 1% |
| 1986 | 4 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1998 Honda Civic
96 complaintsElectrical system
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 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