Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Honda Accord owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord Sedan. The contact stated stopped at a traffic light, a second vehicle crashed full onto the rear bumper of her vehicle. The contact stated that her trunk and side rear panels were crushed. The contact stated that the second vehicle crashed her vehicle twice in the rear due to the second vehicle had still been accelerating. The second impact sent the contact's vehicle forward, a second time, into the street curb. The front bumper and the driver-side front tire suffered damage. The bumper was crushed and the driver-side tire had been deflated. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The contact said she hit the steering wheel with her chest and was rendered unconscious, she had bruises on both feet, shins, and knees. The contact had not been able to move her arms without pain and had pain in her chest, and collar bones. …
Honda refuses to replace recalled airbags. I've been trying for a year and even when they "order" the part they don't have it when I arrive. This has happened repeatedly. I was in a car accident today and the airbags didn't deploy and they should have. After reading all the online complaints I feel lucky they didn't deploy and extract flying metal pieces. Its inexcusable to have a recall and then refuse to fix the problem. Honda's negligence could have cost me my life today. * (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
Tl* the contact owned a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact stated that upon making a left turn at 40 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the vehicle head on at approximately 60 MPH. The air bags did deploy upon impact but failed to inflate as needed. Due to the air bag failure, the contact was airlifted to the hospital where she was treated for a broken right rib, a fractured left fibula, and other severe injuries to her left leg and arm that required surgery. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic after being deemed totaled at the scene. Later on, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 20V026000 (air bags) which she then linked to her failure. The manufacturer was notified of the matter and was informed that a representative would call her back; the contact had yet to hear from the manufacturer. …
Tl* the contact owned a 1998 Honda Accord. While driving 35 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck by another vehicle on the drivers side. The air bags deployed violently cauing injures. The contact sustained severe injuries to the chest and back, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
I was in a bad accident I was in the far right lane on the highway I'm going 55mph someone jumped in front of me I used my breaks then my car jerked right into the other person car causing my car to spin around 2 time on a 6 lane highway . The airbag never deployed the staring wheel was not turning lots of fluids leaking out of it but it was always jerking for some reason even when the mechanic says that's natural..
Takata recall the windshield washer pump failed as well. This would not allow me to clear the salt spray from the windshield resulting in almost no visibility. I was driving in stop and go traffic on interstate 94 heading east.
Greetings, hopefully you can assist me, well my air bag did not deploy in a 2003 auto accident so noted in the supplement of record from geico (claim #0074801720101031-03) "line 17: airbags should have deployed, but did not. The clockspring triggered but did not inflate - line 26: SRS lights on, needed to replace clockspring and reset lights. Time is not diagnosis and r&r of clockspring." after the rear-end collision, I could not catch my breath with my throat, eyes were burning from something I could not see. I did not realize there was a problem until last week I petition my mechanic to look at the horn concern, which I understand is a result of my airbag. I initially took my car to quality collision center on silver star rd, orlando, as they are an elected repair facility for my insurance company, liberty mutual (lm). …
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V026000 (air bags) however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact contacted Honda of salem (1101 van ness ave ne, salem, or 97301, [phone]) who confirmed that the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
I am filing a safety complaint because it has been 7 months since I was notified of the safety recall on my 98 Honda Accord. The recall listed the risks as including serious injury or death if the airbag does not deploy or deploys and expels metal fragments. There is still no replacement parts or updates about when the replacement parts will be available. I am concerned for my safety when driving my vehicle and am requesting an update for all those who have the same recall notice before an incident happens.
While driving consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. Consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle, and it collided into another vehicle from the driver's side. Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained head and back injuries, and was transported by ambulance to a hospital. Vehicle was towed, and totaled by the insurance company. The consumer stated that brakes failed to stop the vehicle.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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…
Remedy: 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.
Airbag complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 79 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Honda Accord, 7% of the model year's 1,200 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (26 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Honda Accord airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-026 (inflator module, Jan 17, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Honda Accord airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 45 crashes, 0 fires and 32 injuries and 2 deaths to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.