Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 own a 1998 Honda Accord with 44,000 miles. I purchased the car new in 1998. I am now having serious transmission problems with the car - lurching and bumping. When I presented the problem to Honda, they said that I must pay for a new transmission because the car is out of warranty. Can Honda get away with this? I can't believe this is the Honda car company. I purchased the car because of Honda's track-record of reliability.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle jerked and stalled. In addition, the vehicle failed to shift out of reverse and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 266,000.
During the normal speed on the 40 mile per hour street transmission suddenly stack and the vehicle did not accelerate more than 30 mile per hour .after that date this condition continues on and off .on the other side the transmission changes the speed only in 1st and 2nd gear. All nesessary transmission adjustments has been done. Oral mechanical estimate for repair costs $ 2200
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Honda Accord. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle automatically decelerated to 25 MPH. The contact was unable to shift the gear into reverse and the vehicle jerked while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 266,000.
Upon exiting a parking lot at 15 MPH engine revved and vehicle surged forward, and was rear ended by another vehicle. Dealership determined that transmission failure caused the problem. However, dealership didn't specify the specific failure, they just said that transmission needed to be replaced.
Transmission is failing. It is slipping between shifts, which leads to spiked rpms because of the delayed shift. The shift is also very harsh, where it jerks, shakes, and rumbles the car. Gears also grind occasionally between stop and first gear.
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.
The subject vehicle was parked in my driveway, I put the vehicle in park or so I thought and removed the keys from the ignition to go inside my home. About a half hour later I was contacted by my neighbor who told me that my vehicle had rolled down my driveway and across the street. He stated that the vehicle narrowly missed him before striking his brick mailbox structure and destroying it. I told him I couldn't understand how the vehicle could have rolled backwards as I had put it in park and removed my keys. Upon further investigation I came to realize that the vehicle was actually in neutral. I contacted the Honda regarding my concern about being able to remove the key from the ignition when the vehicle was in neutral not park. The dealership informed me that I should not have been able to remove the keys unless the car was in park. …
This complaint is similar to investigation number pe 03-014. My wife's 1998 Honda Accord (4 cylinder with automatic transmission) rolled away from the spot where she had parked it. Apparently she had left the vehicle in drive, but was able to remove the key from the ignition. When she returned from her errand, the car was no longer in the parking spot where she had left it. The car had rolled about 75 feet away, somehow managing to miss several other cars in the parking lot. Thankfully, she and our baby weren't halfway out the car door when the car rolled away. I verified that the key can be removed with the shifter in drive. I took the car to the Honda dealer here in colorado springs, and they indicated that there May be a mechanical problem in the ignition switch, but that it isn't covered by a warranty or recall. …
My 1998 Honda Accord (automatic transmission) has a mileage of only about 50,000 miles. Over the last couple of months I noticed that the engine check light had come on and I was having a problem with delayed and hard shifting of gears especially at lower speeds . The engine check came up with a diagnosis code of p740. The service advisor also detected leaking transmission fluid and he recommended that I fix the seals and drive it around for some time. Even after the seals were replaced I still found that the vehicle was lunging forward whenever it came to a stop and it would have a trouble changing gears (especially the second gear). Though the vehicle is in drivable condition it seems like a big safety hazard and a disaster waiting to happen. I took the vehicle to a Honda dealer who recommended that I replace the entire transmission at a cost of about $4000. …
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles (Honda accord sedans manufactured from September 18, 1997 to January 10, 1998; coupes manufactured December 11, December 15, 1997, and January 5, 1998; Acura 2.3cl manufactured October 22, 1997 through January 7, 1998).
Remedy: Dealers will install a collar on the transmission parking pawl to ensure proper movement of the actuation lever.
NHTSA investigations
Ignition-park interlock system
Six of the odi complaints are duplicative of the manufacturer complaints, as well as four of the crashes.the noted injury occurred when a rollaway vehicle that had been inadvertently parked in neutral struck the exiting operator.the warranty claim count shown for other represents incidents where Honda's analysis of claim detail indicates the interlock system malfunctioned.the interlock system utilizes a lever to…
Transmission complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1998 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 276 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Honda Accord, 23% of the model year's 1,200 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (204 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Honda Accord transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-018 (park/neutral start interlock switch, Feb 10, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Honda Accord transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.