The 1998 Honda Civic is a compact car from Japan. Below are the specifications, open safety recalls and NHTSA data available for this specific model year. Decode a 1998 Civic VIN to see the exact trim, engine and equipment for one particular vehicle.
Value calculator
Move the slider: the estimate applies the observed one-year depreciation rate for this model line (13.6%/year) to the value you enter. It updates instantly, right here.
Estimated value
$0
Source: Craigslist U.S. used listings (2020-2021 snapshot) + Car Features & MSRP dataset. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and the snapshot was taken in 2020–2021 — pair the estimate with live listings for your area before pricing a car.
Overview
The Honda Civic is a compact car that blends fun-to-drive dynamics, efficiency and strong safety into an affordable package.
Specifications at a glance
Basic build info
Model year
1998
Make
Honda
Model
Civic
Body
Compact Car
Country of origin
Japan
Available engines (model line)
Engine
2.0L 4-cylinder
Engine
1.5L turbo 4-cylinder
Model-year-exact trim, engine and equipment vary by VIN. Decode the specific VIN above to confirm.
Fuel Economy (1998 Honda Civic)
25
City MPG
33
Highway MPG
28
Combined MPG
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE/EPA).
NHTSA safety ratings
—
Overall
—
Frontal
—
Side
—
Rollover
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Real-world pricing & specs — 1998 Honda Civic
Used-market medians (U.S. listings)
U.S. used-market listings for the 1998 Civic (Craigslist, 2020–2021 snapshot) cluster around a median asking price of $2,800 at roughly 165,000 miles, based on 17 listings. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and values have moved since the snapshot — pair with live listings for your area.
Used median price
$2,800
Median mileage
165,000
Sample: 17 listings
Median of real U.S. Craigslist asking prices for this model year; asking prices skew above negotiated sale prices. Snapshot taken 2020-2021.
NHTSA safety recalls — 1998 Honda Civic
18
open recall campaigns on file with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Repairs are free at any authorized Honda dealer (within 10 years of first sale). See all recalls →
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Campaign: 20V026000 · Filed: 17/01/2020
Defect description: 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 Isuzu Oasis vehicles.
These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Corrective action: 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. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Campaign: 08E050000 · Filed: 11/08/2008
Defect description: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Corrective action: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Campaign: 06E060000 · Filed: 29/06/2006
Defect description: CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
Corrective action: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Campaign: 06E038000 · Filed: 08/05/2006
Defect description: CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Corrective action: ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Campaign: 09E025000 · Filed: 11/05/2009
Defect description: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Corrective action: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Source: NHTSA Recalls API. Snapshot last checked: October 19, 2026. Recall status changes — verify by VIN for any vehicle you own or plan to buy.
Common problems to check on this generation
1.5L turbo oil dilution
AC compressor issues on some years
Sun-visor rattles
Applies to the model line as a whole; the 1998 model year may have specific TSBs, always verify by VIN.
Owner-reported problems — 1998 Civic
464
owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Complaints are self-reported by owners and are separate from formal recalls.
Most-reported problem areas:
AIR BAGS — 86 reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — 80 reports
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — 50 reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — 12/31/2002
CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT VEHICLE ALARM BE DISCONNECTED FREE OF CHARGE IN ORDER TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE/RECALLED IGNITION SWITCH. *TT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — 12/30/2002
CONSUMER STATED AFTER HAVING THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED DONE ON THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE REMOTE STARTER WAS NO LONGER WORKING, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED THE RECALL, THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE IF IT DID NOT WORK AFTER FIXING THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER WAS LEFT WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR 4 HOURS TO HAVE THE REMOTE STARTER RECONNECTED FOR AT A COST OF 60 DOLLARS, BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP HAD DESTROYED ALL OF THE WIRES.*JB
AIR BAGS — 12/29/1999
NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAGS DURING ACCIDENT, MINOR INJURIES TO CONSUMER HEAD,NECK. YH
Ask a specific question about this year and model. Our editors review every submission and publish answers with sources on this page — typical response time is 2-5 business days.
Related guides for 1998 Honda Civic owners & buyers
Values vary by trim, mileage, condition and region. Check Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and NADA/J.D. Power for a range, see our guide comparing them — and pair with 5–10 local listings for your exact year and mileage.
What common problems should I watch for on a 1998 Civic?
Segment-wide issues like brake and suspension wear are the norm at this age; model-specific issues vary by generation. Review the "common problems" section above, check NHTSA complaints and TSBs for the specific year, and get an independent inspection focused on those areas.
Sources on this page:NHTSA vPIC (specifications),
NHTSA Recalls,
NHTSA NCAP (safety),
EPA FuelEconomy.gov (MPG),
NHTSA Complaints, SAE J2012 (OBD-II standard). VinSpecs is an independent service, not affiliated with Honda or any government agency.
