Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Honda Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Honda Civic ex. The contact stated the front driver and passenger side windows came out of the rolling track constantly. The contact had to remove the door panel in order to put the window back on the rail and resolve the issue each time the failure recurred. The contact stated that she was unable to open the window. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic who determined that the mechanism that allowed the windows to be opened or closed needed to be replaced. The contact made the repair but failure persisted. The current mileage was 140,000. The failure mileage was 110,000.
The driver side window is not working properly. The window has a hard time opening and closing. Sometimes the window would get stuck while in operation and the only way to keep window moving is to constantly switch the window switch back and forth between opening and closing. Worst is when the window would slip out of its sliding bracket. When this happens,the window is totally stuck and the door has to be taken apart so that the window can be put back into its bracket. This is a potential safety issue.
1998 Honda Civic ex coupe- great car except for the power windows. I have not been able to have them professionally fixed because of the cost. They have been stuck in the up position for a few years now. They come off track if I try to roll them down and the glass literally falls into the door.
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.
Windshield wipers continued operating even when switch were in off mode. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was out of its warranty, and not covered under a recall. Feel free to provide us with any further details on this matter .
While driving 55 MPH or above the exterior rear view mirror is extremely loose which causes it to shake. Dealer replaced the mirror which did not remedy the problem. Please give any further details.
While sitting a stop light rear windshield shattered into a million pieces, for no apparent reason. Windshield was replaced at dealership at owner's expense. Please provide any further information.
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
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.
Transmission intermittently slips,in motion and idle position--idle speed is erratic--in reverse,car makes a whining noise-windows don't always work
Window & Wiper complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1998 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1998 Honda Civic, 5% of the model year's 435 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Honda Civic window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 1998 Honda Civic, though it has 4 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 Civic window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 110,000 miles.
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.