Most common 1998 Honda CR-V problems
Share of the 128 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Honda CR-V complaints by model year
Best CR-V years: 2001, 2000, 1999. Years to avoid: 2018, 2017, 2025, 2024, 2023. Compare all years →
1998 Honda CR-V recalls (3)
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.
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ignition switch. Owner notification began June 14, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An improperly routed under dash wire harness could be damaged by contact with the brake light switch, possibly resulting in a blown fuse. If this occurs, operation of a critical component can be lost, including windshield wipers, headlights, turn signal and hazard lamps, tail lamps, the…
Remedy: Dealers will install a 70mm protective, corrugated plastic tube over the wire harness, in the area of the brake stop switch. If any wire or wires are damaged, they will be repaired.
What 1998 Honda CR-V owners say
Electrical system all 38 →
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Honda CR-v. The contact stated the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 02V120000 (electrical system), however the failure recurred. The contact stated that while vehicle was at a stand still, she was unable to insert the key in the ignition. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Honda CR-v. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred when driving over a bump. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The technician stated that the vehicle was previously serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 02V120000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 172,000.
Air bags
Weather conditions caused 1998 Honda crv to skid out of control. Car was hithead-on by 18-wheeler but Honda's air-bag failed to deploy causing injuries to driver of Honda. No correction was able to be made. Car was totaled and insurance company took possession of vehicle for salvage.
The battery went dead on my 1998 Honda CR-v. I had it replaced, and discovered that the SRS(safety restraint system was disabled as a result of determining that a new battery was needed. I contacted a Honda service center and was told that as long as the SRS light was on, the air bag system was off and that it would cost about $90 to have it turned off. I also was told to drive it for a week (without protection from the SRS and perhaps the computer would recycle and turn the SRS back on. My complaint is this: because of poor engineering of the SRS system and the computer, Honda has forced me to either drive a car without the safety that I bought, or pay a service center to enable the system...all over a real simple repair...replacing a battery. I can understand the need to reset the clock, radio, or other less essential electronics, but the air bags! …
Engine & cooling
I was driving normally, going 47mph & accelerating as I was about to merge into traffic on high way, when my cars engine suddenly died. I dident even notice at first because it happened suddenly and quietly. I only noticed because the steering locked up and I found it very difficult to turn the wheel. I was able to put on my hazard lights and stop the car on the side of the freeway. Car would not run since this happened. Car will start but die on idel. Have replaced starter, main relay, ignition, spark plugs and have had 4 auto shops look at it and still no one can figure out the issue..
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Honda CR-v. While driving various speeds, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was moved to the shoulder of the road and restarted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 185,000.
1998 Honda CR-V engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 23 / 21 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 23 / 21 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 23 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Honda CR-V a good car?
Based on 128 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 CR-V rates better than average: 75% fewer complaints than a typical year of the CR-V at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Honda CR-V?
The electrical system — 38 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the air bags (19) and engine & cooling (15).
How many recalls does the 1998 Honda CR-V have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1998 Honda CR-V, the most recent from January 17, 2020 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Honda CR-V?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001, 2000 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018, 2017, 2025, 2024 and 2023. See the full Honda CR-V years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Honda CR-V problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 124,000 miles; 21% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.