HondaCR-V1998Overview/honda/cr-v/1998/base/

1998 Honda CR-V

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 CR-V.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

Defined as an SUV, the 1998 Honda CR-V pairs an Automatic 4-spd transmission with EPA estimates of 19/23/21 mpg and requires 4 qt of 5W-30 API oil. This model year accumulated 143 total owner complaints with the Electrical System listed as the top complaint area, along with 3 recalls. Within the model's complaint history spanning 1997-2026, the 1998 variant sits well below the 2018 high of 2085 complaints, marking a lower issue count than the lineage's peak despite remaining above the 2026 low of 99.

Model year202620242023202220212020201920181998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/23/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 410 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51R · 410 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size205-70R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length173.2 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height65.7 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight3080 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 23 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the CR-V of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

10.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.30 sec — 1998 EX
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1998EX 2.0L I-410.30 sec17.70 sec126 hpAWD
1997SUV 2.0L I-49.40 sec17.00 sec126 hpAWD
1997SUV 2.0L I-410.90 sec18.20 sec126 hpAWD
1997SUV 2.0L I-411.70 sec18.70 sec126 hpAWD
1999EX 2.0L I-48.60 sec16.70 sec146 hpAWD
1999EX 2.0L I-49.40 sec17.10 sec146 hpAWD
2001SE 2.0L I-410.30 sec17.70 sec146 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, HONDA CVT FLUID OR EQUIVALENT in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilHONDA CVT FLUID OR EQUIVALENT
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.2 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.0 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings23 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts130 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 76 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts8.7 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.63-.77 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance12,800-19,200 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.40-1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.33 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance410 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)38.0-46.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)30.0-37.0 psi
Engine Compression135-178. 28 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ Idle, 50 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.003-0.005 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle83 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.905 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.905 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
263 ft. lbs.63 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5618 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miClutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect alignment)
At 30,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Antilock Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
Every 60,000 miFinal Drive (drain & refill) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect)
At 105,000 miTiming Belt (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
At 135,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1998 Honda CR-V sits at the front of its first-generation arc, showing a modest uptick in complaints (143 vs. 109 in 1997) and recalls (3 vs. 2), yet remains well below the sharp escalation seen in 2002 and later. Across the 1997–2001 span, complaints and recalls are relatively stable, with no federal investigations opened, suggesting early build quality was consistent. The 1998 model year falls in this low-complexity plateau, implying fewer latent defects compared to the 2002+ surge. With only 16 crash-related and 1 fire complaint, safety-related incidents are also low. **Takeaway: the 1998 CR-V is a comparatively strong year to buy within this generation.**

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
114
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
143
Owner complaints
16 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 143 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System38
Air Bags20
Engine & Engine Cooling10
Power Train8
Tires8
Steering7
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6
Engine5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V026000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 17/01/2020

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… 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…

02V120000Electrical System:Ignition:SwitchReported 16/05/2002

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 114 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DORE5C4S092019-07-11SuspensionThis SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of…
SB-99-0752013-08-09Engine And Engine CoolingHONDA: TROUBLESHOOTING OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) P1456 AND P1457. DEALERS ARE TO…
070120052005-07-01Electrical SystemSPEEDOMETER SHOPS CAN TRANSFER ODOMETER MILEAGE. HONDA SERVICE NEWS. *TT
4052005-04-16Electrical SystemTRANSFERRING ODOMETER MILEAGE AT ODOMETER R&R. *TT
050062005-02-25Electrical SystemDIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1298 IS STORED IN THE ECM/PCM. *TT

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 CR-V take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 CR-V have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the CR-V get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 23 highway / 21 combined mpg.