1998 Honda CR-V Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 1998 Honda CR-V. Part of Generation 1 — 1997–2001.

19971999
Complaints
136
Crashes
15
Fires
1
Injuries
12
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 1998 Honda CR-V Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#118 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:139,175 mi
#213 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:28,688 mi
Crash-related:1
#313 complaints

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch

Avg mileage:83,692 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Honda CR-V.

Electrical Faults
18
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
139,175
Airbags
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
28,688
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
83,692
Engine Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
139,788
Automatic Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
106,733
Tire Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
141,400
Air Bags:Frontal
5
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
126,751
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
101,510
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Wiring
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wiring & Fuses
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Honda CR-V. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 1998 Honda CR-V

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~1,439,841 vehicles.

20V026000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~1,439,841 affected

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.

Other Honda CR-V Years

1998 Honda CR-V — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 1998 Honda CR-V reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1998 Honda CR-V has 136 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 18 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Honda CR-V?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (18 complaints, avg 139,175 mi); Airbags (13 complaints, avg 28,688 mi); Electrical System:Ignition:Switch (13 complaints, avg 83,692 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Honda CR-V?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 103,263 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Honda CR-V include 15 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 12 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Honda CR-V have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 1,439,841 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 1998 Honda CR-V?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Honda CR-V reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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