The 1998 Honda Accord has 5 recalls, the most serious involving the driver-side airbag inflator, which can rupture during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin.
The front passenger seatbelt has its own structural concern: the mounting bracket that anchors the retractor to the body was improperly welded and can break free in a crash, leaving the seatbelt unable to restrain the occupant. Two separate recalls address rollaway risk from different causes. In one, a worn ignition switch can allow the key to be turned off and removed without the transmission being shifted into Park first, and if the parking brake is not set, the vehicle can roll. In the other, an irregularity in the transmission cover limits the movement of the parking pawl lever, meaning the transmission may not fully lock into Park even when it appears to be engaged, again allowing the vehicle to roll on a slope. On the electrical side, the same ignition switch wear that causes the Park interlock failure can also affect the broader interlock system, so these two issues overlap in practice. There is also a concern with the park and neutral start interlock switch, which ties back to the same transmission cover irregularity described above, particularly on Accord Sedans and Coupes built during a narrow window in late 1997 and early 1998.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver air bag inflator may absorb moisture and rupture or fail to fully inflate due to a manufacturing defect in certain non-azide inflator units.
What the fix does
The dealer will inspect the driver air bag inflator and replace it if needed with a different design inflator, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The ignition switch can wear down excessively, causing the transmission interlock to fail. This allows you to turn the key to off and remove it without shifting to park.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ignition switch cylinder for wear. If wear is found, they'll replace the cylinder body, collar, and latch plate. Otherwise, they'll replace the latch plate with an updated version.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing irregularity on the right side of the transmission cover can restrict the parking pawl lever's movement, preventing the parking gear from engaging fully. This may allow the vehicle to roll away on an incline if the parking brake isn't set.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the transmission and repair it if the irregularity is found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A manufacturing irregularity in the right-side transmission cover can restrict the parking pawl lever's movement, preventing the parking gear from engaging properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a collar on the transmission parking pawl to restore proper actuation lever movement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat belt retractor mounting bracket was welded incorrectly, which could affect the seat belt's ability to function properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair the mounting bracket on the front passenger seat belt retractor.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
