Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
I'm in the right lane on exit 41 highway my car kept jerking then someone jumped in front of me as soon as I hit the breaks the breaks sent out and hit the lady who jumped in front of me and then there was something wrong with the wheel before then my car was leaking .
Dt: the consumer was easing into a parking space with the brakes depressed when the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a cement wall. This accident occurred on June 7, 2005. The consumer stated that she had previous problems with the vehicle surging forward at a stop light. The consumer had not taken vehicle to the dealership before for this problem. After the accident consumer took vehicle to the dealer be repaired. They did not tell her what had caused the accident. When the consumer contacted the manufacture they told her that she should get a diagnostic test at her own expense.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. While driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle started to slow down and then stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that the brakes failed and the steering would not turn. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road, where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the ignition switch was defective. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the failure was due to a faulty wire harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.
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.
While driving at 55 MPH on the freeway consumer attempted to exit beltway off a ramp, applied the brakes, brakes locked up, causing consumer to lose control of vehicle. Vehicle veered over the median into oncoming traffic. Consumer's vehicle was struck by another vehicle coming in the opposite direction on the passenger's side. Vehicle was totaled, and consumer sustained abrasions to the chest, neck, arms and face.
I was backing up in a parking lot. My car suddenly started to accelerate. I pressed on the brakes, but they did not work. It was like I had no control over the car. The car finally stopped after I crashed through a fence and hit a tree.
Problems began when I took my 1998 Accord ex in to have the 30,000 mile service. I was told that the brake pads needed to be replaced. I had them replaced and went in for another major service check a year later and was told the car needed new brake pads again, that's only 18,000 miles later. The Honda dealership mechanic told me replacing the pads every 20,000 miles is not uncommon for these cars. I, then, took the car to a non-Honda repair shop who replaced the pads and guaranteed them for 48,000 miles. When I took the car in for the second major service check my car horn was working. After leaving Honda's service shop the horn has not worked properly again. When I turn the engine on the horn turns off. As long as the engine's off the horn works without a problem. …
While I was changing the passenger side drive axle of a broken cv joint boot last year (July 2014), I noticed that the subframe had rusted out (about 60% came through and off when I punched the area with a screw driver) where the stabilizing bar bracket and lower control arm pivot are mounted to the frame. The problem area of the subframe is right under the drain hole for the A/C evaporator. The subframe to the driver side is clean and has no rust issue. The location of the rust area suggests that it May be related to the drain hole of the A/C system or/and something similar (such as rain) that had LED to water staying in the area. The rust is getting worse over time. I checked it today (July 23, 2015) after noticing yellowish dripping marks left on the driver way. My wife drove the car the day before when there was a heavy rain. …
Was in a 35 MPH zone and was to stop for red light and to turn left. Service road between me and flat-back big truck that had already stopped for light. Put on brakes and started accelerating, and had no brakes or steering. Was raining. Probably hydroplaned. Picked up speed and went head-on into back of parked truck. I am injured and am under doctors care. Bag should have deployed but didn't. Whole front of my car was smashed. Have pictures.
Mrs. Kimura owns a 1998 Honda Accord. She pulled into a parking lot and parked. As she was exiting the vehicle the car began to roll. The car rolled over her and she was seriously injured. It was later learned that the ignition switch failed. She was able to remove the key with the transmision in drive . A recall notice was found on the NHTSA site after this accident describing the failure.
Brake complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Honda Accord, 4% of the model year's 1,200 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Honda Accord brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 1998 Honda Accord, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Honda Accord brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 10 injuries to brakes 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.