1998 Honda CR-V
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 38 of 128 complaints (30%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 108 in 1997 to 128 in 1998.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950 | 2,950–3,100 | 2,950 | 2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 21 | 20–21 | 21 | 21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19 / 23 | 19 / 23 | 19–20 / 23 | 19–20 / 23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423 | 423–444 | 423 | 423 | |
| Complaints filed | 108 | 128 | 127 | 129 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 9 | 15 | 8 | 11 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 12 | 7 | 8 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Honda CR-V have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Honda CR-V?
Electrical: 38 of 128 NHTSA complaints (30%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Honda CR-V get?
EPA rates it 20–21 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Honda CR-V?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | 19 mpg | 23 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg | 23 mpg | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg | 23 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 38 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 22 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 20V026000 · Jan 21, 2020
Defect: 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.
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. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · Campaign 02V120000 · May 20, 2002
Defect: 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.
Consequence: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH · Campaign 99V282000 · Oct 27, 1999
Defect: 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 ANTI-LOCKING FUNCTION OF THE BRAKES, AND BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM.
Consequence: A SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LIGHTING OR A FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN BAD WEATHER, COULD BE HAZARDOUS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.