Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Honda CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
See this link for full detail: http://www.visualimpressions.ca/switch/ my car cut out without warning on the freeway--repeatedly. After much false repair and frustration, I found above link describing faulty ignition switch that Honda apparently knows about but does nothing about. I contacted local Honda dealer and they said no recall.
Without warning our 1998 Honda crv (112K miles) died one afternoon while wife was taking kids to the pool. There was no warning signs or dash lights to warn of a problem. The engine stopped. Fortunately she was waiting for the light to change at an intersection with no traffic behind her. Vehicle started again after a minute and she was able to get it to the pool lot. After a few attempts, engine would start, but just caught off. Vehicle was towed to local mechanic who first assumed it was a bad distributor. After reviewing possible causes on internet, our mechanic found complaints about faulty ignition switches. Fortunately this was the problem and could be replaced. Honda dealer said they had replaced 4 of these switches in the last 4 weeks. …
I am filing a formal complain due to I have brought my car onto the dealership aug 7, 2014 due to my car will stall in the middle of the road. I just replace the battery 07/26/2013 I have brought my car onto the dealership and they are claiming that there is nothing wrong. They keep it overnight and when I picked it up after 5 days it will stall again, I am trying to call the service manager in diamond Honda glendale and they said manager is on vacation. I called corporate over Honda in torrance ca. According to the case manager who will handling my case they will do further investigation. In my experience I have never been neglected by the dealership. They check on the system that there is nothing wrong. But I keep telling them to check it carefully what if something I got involve in an accident. Would I just be a part of NHTSA statistics when fatality results. …
Several years ago on mycarstate.com I found information that was helpful with my 1998 Honda CR-v. But I haven't specifically seen information about this "next" issue. For the past year or so, on occasion, I can't get my car key out of the ignition switch. The car will not turn all the way off. I can't get the key to turn all the way to the left. If I restart the car, put it in any gear, move the car slightly (even an inch), turn the car off again, then I can remove the key. Sometimes it takes a few minutes to do all this, so there is no leaving the car immediately. Where this becomes a big issue is when I valet park the car. The valet's can't get the key out, therefore they either have to park my car near than and watch or park it elsewhere and I take my chances on the car not being entered by someone else. I'm 2 hours away from a Honda dealer, I think. …
This letter is a follow-up to Honda regarding a letter I had submitted on February 26, 2014. June 10, 2014 I was contacted by a Honda customer service representative regarding the letter outlined below and was told that there was no assistance available from Honda despite safety concerns. I was also told by the local Honda dealership that there have been issues with ignition/igniters with Honda crvs (especially the 98 crv which included a recall in 2002 for this very issue) and that I can go ahead and replace the ignition switch at a cost of approximately $200 plus labor (for a known defect). I had this work done approximately a year and a half ago and the issue continues as the vehicle will shut down while driving and will restart after sits. Unfortunately, this is a vehicle that not only do I drive on open highways but my daughter drives as well. …
I am complaining about an ignition problem on a 98 Honda crv. My car has 97,000 miles on it. I am filing this complaint because Honda should have informed every owner that these switches were failing on almost all of their vehicles. This causes your car to stall randomly in traffic. It is a hazard. We owners deserved to know that this ignition switch was failing on all their cars. I would have replaced it before it stalled permanently in downtown ironwood if I had been informed. It is not expensive to repair but the symptoms are a mystery to any mechanic who has not read about this problem. I was fortunate enough to find a web page posted by a kind soul who explained what was happening to all these hondas. Http://www.visualimpressions.ca/switch/ I hope you can kick Honda in the pants and make them inform their owner and just as importantly their dealers. …
I recently read the press regarding fires starting underneath Honda crvs. Last year, following an oil change, I was stopped at a light and heard people screaming at me from their cars-there was a fire under my car. I quickly pulled over and, by then, the fire was out. I immediately drove back to my mechanic-they examined the car, which still smelled of smoke, but they were stumped. The garage is very reputable and aaa rated. I recently read another article that indicated NHTSA reopened an investigation of this problem. My car is a 1998-I believe this problem is more widespread than the 2003-2004 models. I'm extremely concerned whenever my oil is changed. This problem should be rectified by Honda-quickly.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled several times without warning. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics whom were unable to provide a permanent solution. A dealer mentioned that there was an electrical recall repair performed to replace the starter before the contact owned the vehicle. The dealer (avalon Honda, 100 avalon blvd, cape May court house, nj 08210, [phone]) stated that the vehicle would need to be further inspected and diagnosed to determine the cause of the failure. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Related recalls
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.
Electrical complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Honda CR-V, 30% of the model year's 128 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Honda CR-V electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-120 (switch, May 16, 2002); NHTSA recall 99V-282 (interior/under dash, Oct 19, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Honda CR-V electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 124,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.