1998 Honda Cr-v: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Honda Cr-v: 3 recalls, 128 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #99V282000 · 1999 · 100,891 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A sudden, unexpected loss of lighting or a failure of the windshield wipers in bad weather, could be hazardous increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #02V120000 · 2002 · 1,000,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Worn contacts could cause the engine to stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began June 14, 2002.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V026000 · 2020 · 1,439,841 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion May not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 12 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (38): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (15), electrical failure (10), fire / smoke (3).
- Airbags (19): the most common themes are fails to deploy (3).
- Engine & cooling (9): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), warning light on (3), noise or vibration (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (8): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (5).
The 1998 Honda Cr-v has 128 owner complaints, ranking #28 of 30 Cr-v model years for complaints (well below the 533 average). Complaints peaked in 1999 (20 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 123,552 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (108 complaints, 2 recalls), 1999 (127 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1998 Honda Cr-v.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1998 Honda Cr-v have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1998 Honda Cr-v. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1998 Honda Cr-v problems?
Owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (38), airbags (19), engine & cooling (9).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Honda Cr-v get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 Honda Cr-v repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.