1998 Honda Civic complaints

THE OWNER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HESITATION WITH POSSIBLE CAUSE BEING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE OWNER DID KEEP THE CAR SERVICED/MAINTENANCE WITH THE LAST ITEM BEING A TUNE-UP. LIBERTY HONDA HAS BEEN PERFORMING ANY AND ALL MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT BEING DRIVEN DUE TO THE TRANSMISSIONS' PERFORMANCE. MR CONSUMER FELT DEALERSHIP USED DIRTY TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH MAY HAVE RUINED THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED HESITATION AND WANTED TO CHARGE CONSUMER $4000 TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THE 2 ACCIDENTS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN CAUSED THE HESITATION. VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AT A LOWER COST TO CONSUMER. *TT

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND HIT THE CURB AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FACE OF THE RADIO CAN GET EXTREMELY HOT WHILE THE CONSUMER IS DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER. MR

TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ON 2000 + FAILED AGAIN (INTERNAL FAILURE) ON 2002. MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS COMPLETED, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. DEALER REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBLILTY FOR THE PROBLEM. *MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED THERE IS A DEFECT IN TRANSMISSION. *MR

CONSUMER STATES THAT DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING TO REMOVE AND REPLACE ALARM SYSTEM THAT CAME WITH VEHICLE,WHEN PURCHASED. NLM

MFR# 02-031 & NHTSA# 02 V 120 000/IGNITION SWITCH: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER, DOBBS HONDA IN MEMPHIS, TN. PHONE# 901/795-5900 WANT TO CHARGE TO RECONNECT THE ALARM AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON THE IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER IS REFUSING TO REMOVE REMOTE STARTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM

CONSUMER RECIEVED RECALL LETTER CALLED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT TILL DECEMBER 5TH 2002. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM

MFR# 02-031 & NHTSA# 02 V 120 000/IGINITION SWITCH: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER, ANDERSON HONDA IN BALTIMORE, MD. PHONE# 410/243--7000 WANT TO CHARGE CONSUMER TO RECONNECT THE ALARM AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. NLM

MFR# 02-031 & NHTSA# 02 V 120 000/IGNITION SWITCH: CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER, D&C HONDA IN TENAFLY, NJ. PHONE# 201/569-5515 UNABLE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL DEC 2002. RECALL NOTICE STATES WITHIN 60 DAYS. NLM

INTERMITTENTLY ALL OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE AND SHORTED OUT. *MR

CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER TO GET A RECALL PART REPLACED. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THERE IS A WAITING LIST. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A UNSAFE CONDITION TO DRIVE IN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS SMASHED INTO FROM THE SIDE WHICH THEN THREW THE VEHICLE INTO A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD ON. NEITHER DUAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON EITHER IMPACT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. NLM

DRIVER WINDOW PULLEY SYSTEM BROKE, MY DAUGHTER'S REAR LEFT PASSENGER WINDOW SYSTEM BROKE AND WE HAVE THE SAME CAR PURCHASED AT THE SAME DEALER. PULLY. NLM

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO LACK OF CHARGING ON ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.*JB

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A T-BONE COLLISION OF 40-45 MPH IMPACT AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TOP PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING 55-60 MPH ENGINE WOULD STALL, ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD FLASH ON. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 35 YEARS AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON ANY OF MY VEHICLES. TODAY MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MINE WAS THE SECOND ONE IN LESS THAN A MONTH THAT HE HAS REPLACED ON A HONDA. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG HERE.*AK

CONSUME RINVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 50 MPH, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

VEHICLE WAS GOING 35MPH WHEN FRONTAL AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. HONDA WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

LEFT FRONT IS BEGINNING TO SEPARATE/HONDA INSPECTION RESULTS UNSAFE TO OPERATE VEHICLE. *AK

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION THAT PUSHED ME INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION ALONG WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WE WERE BOTH STOPPED TURNING LEFT. UPON INPACT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I HAD SERVE BRUSING FROM THE SEATBELT. MY FRONT SELT (DRIVER SIDE) WAS BROKEN BECOUSE THE IMPACT WAS SO HARSH.*AK

DEALER STATED THAT A/C SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE TOTALLY REPLACED. STATED THAT CAR HAD "BLACK DEATH".. WHEN I CALLED OTHER HONDA DEALER , THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF A NUMBER OF THESE INSTANCES, AND THAT 1998 CIVIC NEEDED THE ENTIRE A/C SYSTEM REPLACED IN MANY CARS THAT THEY HAVE SEEN.. ALSO, MY ROOMMATE , WITH A 1999 CIVIC , HAD TO REPLACE HER A/C UNIT LAST YEAR ALSO.. AND WITH CONSIDERABLY LESS MILES AT THE TIME.. WHEN I DESCRIBED MY SYMTOMS, SHE SAID IT WAS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO HER CAR ALSO.. CALLED HONDA CUSTOMER RELATIONS LINE.. WAS TOLD THAT "I NEEDED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR".. IF IT IS HAPPENING TO MY CAR, AND MY ROOMMATES CAR, ISNT IT HAPPENING TO OTHER CIVICS TOO? I ALSO AM A REPEAT HONDA OWNER, AND GOT 200,000 MILES OF WEAR OUT OF MY LAST CIVIC WITH VERY MINIMAL REPAIR....I FEEL THAT HONDA SHOULD RECALL THIS PROBLEM.. AND THAT IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING AFFECTING THOSE OF US WITH CIVICS IN THE SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.. MARC LIBBY. *AK

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WHILE SITTING AT LIGHT. ALSO, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVNG VEHCILE STALLED OUT/ LOST ALL POWER, WAS UNABLE TO STEER, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

IN A FRONTAL COLLISION NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE JUST STALLED, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE IN 06/02, AND VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY OIL SIGNIFYING A MAJOR OIL LEAK.*AK

I WAS DRIVING MY HONDA CIVIC FROM FORT WORTH, TEXAS TO NEW MEXICO ON A TRIP WHEN I HEARD A STRANGE NOISE. SOON AFTER I NOTICED MY AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT BLOWING COLD AIR ANYMORE. WHEN MY MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT, HE SAID THE COMPRESSOR HAD EXPLODED AND HAD A LARGE HOLE IN IT. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE WHEN THE COMPRESSOR EXPLODES IT IS SENDING SHRAPNEL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. COULD THE REFRIGERANT CATCH FIRE? I FOUND TWO REPORTS OF 1998 HONDA CIVICS WITH EXPLODING COMPRESSORS AT THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND NONE FOR ANY OTHER MAKE. WHEN I CONTACTED HONDA, THEY SAID TOUGH LUCK, YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD CUSTOMER AND BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY.*AK

INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS A CRACK IN IT WHICH CAN CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO ENGINE IF NOT NOTICED IN TIME.*AK

TRANSMISSION WILL GRIND WHEN PUTTING IT INTO REVERSE AND AT TIMES WILL SLIP. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

LUGS: NUTS ON TWO FRONT TIRES ARE NOT THREADED WHICH CAN CAUSE TIRES TO COME OFF AT ANY TIME.*AK

VEHICLE WAS GOING 70MPH ON INTERSTATE AND STALLED IN TRAFFIC. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY OTHER TIMES OVER A 6 MONTH PERIOD. THERE IWASNO PRIOR WARNING GIVEN BEFORE VEHICLE SHUTDOWN. ALSO, HESISTANT BEFORE STARTING. VEHICLE WILL RESTART, AND POSSIBLY STALL OUT AGAIN. DEALER AWARE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT TURN OFF DUE TO A FAULTY SWITCH IN THE WIPER MOTOR. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *YH

I WAS DRIVING AND I HAD ON THE A.C. ON LOW. I HEARD A LOUD POOF SOUND THEN I SAW A CLOUD OF SMOKE COME FROM BEHIND MY CAR. I STOPPED AND FOUND LITTLE PIECES LAYING ON THE GROUND AT THE POINT I HEARD THE NOISE. UNTIL THEN I HAD NO WARNING NOICES, JUST THE POOF. THEN MY CAR STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR. I WENT AND HAD MY A.C. CHECKED, AND I WAS TOLD MY COMPRESSOR COMPLETELY BLEW OFF. NOW I NEED TO REPLACE MY WHOLE A.C. IN A CAR THATS JUST BARELY OVER FOUR YEARS OLD. *AK

A CRACK IN EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKED FUMES INTO VEHICLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

IN REGARDS TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACK--- I NOTICED AN EXHAUST SMELL COMING INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS SLIGHTLY LOUDER THAN USUAL. I GOT USED TO THE SMELL BUT NOW I JUST GET HEADACHES. I FIGURED IT NEEDED A NEW EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET BUT UPON FURTHER INSPECTION BEFORE BUYING A GASKET, I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHERE THE PIPES COME TOGETHER UNDER THE HEAT SHIELD. THE CRACK LOOKS LIKE IT STEMS OUT IN DIFFERENT WAYS FROM THE OXYGEN SENSOR; IT IS PROBABLY DUE TO POOR DESIGN. I FIGURE THAT IT PROBABLY IMPAIRS THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE OXYGEN SENSOR THUS ALTERING EMMISSIONS. I CONTACTED HONDA AND FOUND OUT THAT A NEW EXHAUST MANIFOLD COSTS OVER $700 DOLLARS JUST IN PARTS, WHICH I CANT AFFORD. I FOUND THAT HONDA EXTENDED THE WARRANTIES ON THE 1997 MODELS DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THE 2002 HONDA CIVICS' ARE EQUIPPED WITH STAINLESS STEEL MANIFOLDS RATHER THAN THE CAST IRON FOUND ON MY CAR, THEREFORE I KNOW HONDA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS AND THEY SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEMS BEFORE THE CRACK STEMS ALL AROUND AND MY EXHAUST SYSTEM FALLS OFF CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE OR CAUSES ME TO FAIL A SMOG CHECK. IN REGARDS TO THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS, THE BUTTONS DON'T WORK THUS NOT ALLOWING REAR WINDOWS TO BE ROLLED UP OR DOWN.*AK

MY A/C UNIT HAS GONE OUT ON MY CAR WITH AN ESTIMATE OF THE REPAIR TO COST $1000. ALTHOUGH MY CAR HAS HIGH MILES, I'VE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF THE CAR AND THE A/C UNIT HAS HARDLY BEEN USED. I'VE CONTACTED HONDA TO NO AVAIL. NUMEROUS OTHER PARTS HAVE FAILED. THOSE REPAIRS WERE DONE EITHER UNDER WARRANTY OR GOODWILL.*AK

A LOCAL NEW YORK STATE AND AAA APPROVED AUTO REPAIR SHOP HAS INFORMATION FROM A NATIONAL DATABASE "ALLDATA" , THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT DO NOT PARK OR SHUT OFF IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN MY PARTICULAR HONDA YEAR AND MODEL. DURING A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF RAIN OR SPLASHING OF WATER FROM OTHER VEHICLES THE CONTINUING WIPERS SMUDGES THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING ALMOST ZERO VISIBILITY. FAULTY OPERATING WINDSHIELD WIPERS/MOTOR WILL NOT PASS NEW YORK STATE INSPECTION, THEREFORE NHTSA SHOULD CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE AND PROCEED WITH A RECALL.*AK

THE WHOLE SPARK-PLUG, DISTRIBUTOR SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. MY MECHANIC IS VERY PUZZLED ABOUT THE FAILURE.*AK

GEARS WERE NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. DEALER REFUSEDTO LOOK AT VEHICLE. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES START UP AND SOMETIMES NOT. WHEN VEHICLE DOES START IT SOUNDS ROUGH. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, BUT DEALER REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE OR EVEN LOOK AT VEHICLE AFTER STARTING UP. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING, CONSUMER APPLIED THE GEAR AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T MOVE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FIRST DRUM HAD TO BE REPLACED ON THE TRANSMISSION. NLM *TT

EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILURE

CLUTCH SLIPPED, CAUSING 2ND GEAR TO GRIND. *AK

WITHIN THREE TO FOUR MINUTES MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, CAUSING ME TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY, NOT REALIZING WHAT HAD HAPPENED THE CAR WAS FULL OF SMOKE FROM THE RELEASE OF THE AIRBAGS. RESULTED IN BURNING OF THE FACE.

WHILE DRIVING 60-65 AN AS A RESULT OF CRASH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK