Is the 1998 Honda Civic a good car?
An honest AI verdict — reliability, common problems, and real cost to own.
B8.5/10
A solid choice for budget-conscious buyers who need reliable and economical transportation.
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Pros
- excellent fuel economy
- reliable engine
- affordable parts
Cons
- rust issues
- dated safety features
- limited power
Ownership at a glance
Fuel economy
28 mpg
Maintenance cost
$1,200/yr
Expected lifespan
250,000 miles
Common problems to watch for
- rust on rear wheel wells
- head gasket failure
- worn suspension components
CarsJudge exclusive data
Active recalls (18)
The 1998 Honda Civic has 18 NHTSA recalls on record. Most recent: Unknown Or Other (campaign 99E015000). All recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
- Exterior Lighting — CERTAIN EAGLE EYES AND SONAR HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON 1988-2005 HONDA CIVIC, 1990-2005 HONDA ACCORD, AND 1990-2001 ACURA INTEGRA PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER…
- Exterior Lighting — CERTAIN J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES 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 F…
- Air Bags — Frontal — VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED. THE CLOTH FLAPS COVERING THE FOLDED AIR BAG MAY HAVE BEEN TUCKED IN TOO FAR.…
- Unknown Or Other — EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: ACCESSORY DRIVER-SIDE FLOOR MATS USED IN 1996-1998 HONDA CIVIC VEHICLES. DUE TO THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR ON THESE VEHICLES, A MISPOSITIONED FLOOR MAT COULD INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.…
Recall data: NHTSA. Owner costs & MPG: anonymized aggregates from CarsJudge users who track this vehicle. Updated 2026-07-05.
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This AI-generated assessment is general guidance only, not a substitute for a professional inspection. Always inspect a used vehicle before purchase.