Honda Accord 6th Generation (1998-2002) Review

The sixth-generation Honda Accord coupe was handed a mild facelift in 1999, and the sedan one year after. This consists of a series of subtle visual alterations both inside and out. The SE trim is also introduced to the sedan range with this update.

While the proportions of the sixth-generation Honda Accord remain the same, distinctive changes include a new grille design with dual strakes on either side of the Honda emblem¹ and a wider air dam in the bumper with a connecting slat running through the center². On the coupe, the grille is unchanged but now color-coded with the body, while the entire front bumper has been redesigned to adopt three trapezoidal air dams.

At the rear of the sixth-generation Accord, Honda introduced a new set of taillights with repositioned turn and backup signals¹. A new bumper design is applied to the coupe.

Together with new alloy-wheel designs¹, the side of the sixth-generation Honda Accord sedan facelift shows off a new body-color trimming that runs along the doors² as well as a reshaped side skirt³. The new front bumper⁴ and rear taillight design are also visible from this angle⁵.

Changes to the facelifted Honda Accord sedan and coupe are subtle as the Japanese brand implemented a new gear-selection display for the automatic models¹.

The Honda Accord range is available with two engine and two transmission options. The F23A 2.3-liter inline-four engine is available in two states of tune, while the J30A1 3.0-liter V6 is available in one power output. The four-pot can be had with a five-speed manual transmission, but a four-speed torque-converter automatic is optionally available. The V6 drives the front wheels via the automatic exclusively.

Of the four drivetrain variations, the most frugal model is the 135-hp 2.3-liter inline-four Honda Accord DX trim with its five-speed manual transmission earning 22/29/25 mpg city/highway/combined estimates from the EPA. This is just slightly better than the 150-hp manual's combined estimate of 24 mpg. The four-speed automatic transmission option appears to be thirstier on the city cycle with an estimate of 20 mpg but the highway and combined figures are marginally worse at 28 and 23 mpg, respectively. The V6 model is surprisingly not that much thirstier with its estimates of 18/26/21 mpg. Based on real-world figures, the 2.3-liter five-speed manual modern is, in fact, the most frugal, with some users having recorded figures as high as 30 mpg. The automatic inline-four and V6 models average in the region of 25 mpg. It is worth noting that real-world figures are sourced from a varying pool of drivers whose driving is not monitored by the EPA and thus should be looked at as merely a guideline of what is possible.

* Real-world mpg and MPGe figures are provided by the EPA. Once a car has been on sale for a significant period of time, the EPA gets real-world figures directly from the customer base. These figures are then provided on the EPA website. Real-world figures are not available for certain models due to a lack of sales, or not enough people partaking in this after-sales survey.

The sixth-generation Honda Accord range was crash tested before the NHTSA introduced an overall safety rating but for the criteria of its era, it was awarded some impressive results. Five stars are awarded to the driver and front passenger in the overall front section, while four stars are given to the driver and rear passenger in the side-barrier test. The rear passenger gets five stars if the optional side airbag is fitted. A five-star rollover rating completes a commendable set of results. There are some differences between the sedan and the coupe's crash-test results. Without the side airbag equipped, this model achieved a three-star rating for the driver and four stars for the rear passenger. With the optional airbag, this improves to four stars for both sections. Interestingly, the driver's side gets five stars for the front section while the passenger gets a four-star rating, unlike the sedan. The coupe was not subjected to the rollover test.

All trims come standard with variable power steering and front airbags for the driver and passenger and an immobilizer theft-deterrent system. The LX adds front and rear stabilizer bars for the double-wishbone suspension and power door locks. ABS is only fitted if the four-speed automatic transmission is selected. The EX comes standard with four-wheel brake discs, ABS, and a security system with remote entry. The 2000 model year introduces dual-stage inflation for the airbags.

With the 2001 facelift, the safety features are slightly adjusted. Dual side airbags are optionally available for the DX and LX sedan, but are fitted standard to the V6 LX and both EX derivatives. ABS is made available to the LX trim if the alloy wheels are specified. Lower anchors and tethers for child seats are included across the range, while traction control is installed on both V6 trims.

The 6th-gen Accord range remains relatively unchanged throughout its lifespan but there are some subtle additions after its facelift. Typically of Honda, DX is the base trim and is followed by the LX and EX. DX is only available as a sedan with the four-cylinder engine, while LX and EX can be had as a sedan or coupe with the option of the inline four or V6. The former can only be had with a four-speed automatic transmission. In 2000, an SE sedan trim was added as a sub-EX trim with premium touches. This was included for the coupe in 2002. The VP trim was added in 2001.

Typical for the nameplate, the sixth-generation Honda Accord is a reasonably spacious family sedan both in the cabin and trunk. At the front, the driver and passenger have 40 inches of headroom and 42.1 inches of legroom. If the sunroof is fitted, headroom is reduced to 38.5 inches. Either way, this is more than enough space for those standing up to 6'4" tall. At the rear, Honda claims 37.6 inches of headroom and 37.9 inches of legroom. With the sunroof, headroom is reduced to 36.5 inches. 14.1 cubic feet of cargo space is generous as it accommodates about three to four medium-sized suitcases with some space to spare, making it suitable for family weekend getaways.

In the front row, the coupe offers marginally less space with a headroom figure of 39.7 inches and 42.6 inches of legroom. You'll get 38 inches of headroom if you have the sunroof fitted. The rear offers 36.5 inches of headroom and 32.4 inches of legroom, which is a bit cramped for taller passengers of over six feet. A cargo volume of 13.6 cubic feet means that you might be able to squeeze in three medium-sized suitcases.

Overall, the cabin quality of the sixth-generation Honda Accord is fairly good as the soft-touch plastic, and polyurethane trimmings tend to hold together quite well if the car has been looked after and stored out of direct sunlight and protected from the elements. All models, excluding the EX V6, come standard with cloth upholstery, but leather packages are available for the highest trims.

Both the F23A and J30A engines follow the same maintenance schedule. An oil change and tire rotation should be conducted every 7,500 miles, with a new oil filter only needed every 15,000 miles. At 30,000-mile intervals, you will be required to replace the engine air filter ($28) and cabin filter ($13) and adjust the auxiliary drive belts. Honda recommends that you inspect the valve clearances every 15,000 miles, and if you notice them to be noisy, they should be adjusted. At 105,000 is when you will need to fit a new set of spark plugs ($100 to $150) and a new timing belt, but experience has shown that the belt should be replaced sooner, as its life is shortened by cold temperatures and it also rotates the water pump, introducing an additional potential point of failure. Replacing both at the same time saves on labor. New engine coolant and manual transmission fluid is needed every 120,000 miles. Honda says that the automatic transmission fluid should be changed at 120,000 miles for the first service and then 90,000 miles thereafter, but we strongly recommend that you change this fluid every 30,000-60,000 miles. A brake-fluid change should take place every three years. A typical service for a four-cylinder Honda Accord will cost in the region of $630 at a private workshop or $960 at the dealer. The V6 will likely cost $1,210 at a shop and $1,700 at the dealer. For a major service, expect to pay $1,100 at a workshop and $1,540 at the dealer for the inline four and $1,620 at a private shop or $2,210 at the dealer for the V6.

An oil and filter for the F23A and J30A will cost $63 as they use the same oil type and have similar oil capacities. Going through a private workshop will cost about $75, while a dealer is likely to charge about $100.

The list 1998 to 2002 Honda Accord recalls is fairly long but several of these are related to non-compliant aftermarket lights and reflectors. The ones you should take heed of consist of the following:

• All sixth-generation Honda Accord models produced from 1998 to 2000 were subject to the worldwide Takata airbag recall. In the event of a collision, the inflator may rupture, which could not only underinflate the bag but also send metal fragments into the passenger compartment.
• All Honda Accords fitted with the automatic transmission were recalled for an ignition system/switch problem which allows the key to be removed even if the transmission is not in Park.
• 1997-1999 Honda Accord models were recalled for a faulty ignition switch with worn contacts that could result in the car spontaneously stalling, key programming problems, and intermittent starting problems.
• All 1997 and 1998 Honda Accord models were recalled for ball-joint problems; these items can wear out prematurely and separate from the front suspension.
• Most automatic 1998 Honda Accord models were subject to a recall for a poor transmission cover that limits the movement of the parking-pawl actuator level, which prevents the engagement of the parking pawl.
• Just 83 1998 Honda Accords needed to be recalled for a front passenger seatbelt retractor mounting bracket that was not welded properly.
• 2000 and 2001 Honda Accords were recalled for a faulty instrument-panel dimmer control that could fail due to excessive heat.
• Some 2000-MY Honda Accords were recalled for a bad front passenger airbag inflator module that could stop the airbag from deploying in the event of a crash.
• 2000-model-year Honda Accords were recalled for the rear suspension lower control arms that could break due to improper welding.
• Most 2002 V6 Honda Accord models were recalled for a misaligned water pump, which runs on the timing belt. This could cause the belt to contact a bolt on the cylinder head, which can lead to belt failure and catastrophic engine damage.

Unlikely but possible problems that you may experience with the sixth-generation Honda Accord sedan and coupe include malfunctioning brakelights, rusting suspension components, other front and rear suspension problems, peeling interior parts and trim, poor-quality buttons and switches, and shuddering brakes due to warped rotors.

Problems that you are unlikely to encounter with the 1998 to 2002 Honda Accord range include:

• The 1998 to 2002 Honda Accord's air-conditioning - or AC - compressor, heater, or climate control should not suffer undue electrical problems other than the usual wear with use.
• Electrical system components of the Honda Accord such as the alarm system, cruise control, computer, defroster, distributor, headlights, or main relay should be relatively problem-free.
• It is unlikely that you will experience problems with the Honda Accord's catalytic converter, crank sensor, hot or cold weather starting, ignition coils, or knock or MAP sensor.
• You should not struggle with the fuel injectors or pump, fuelling, or gas-tank problems in the 1998 to 2002 Honda Accord.
• While the automatic transmission may be a pain in the Honda Accord four-door sedan and coupe, the manual transmission and clutch master cylinder don't appear to struggle with mechanical problems.
• In terms of the gauge cluster or the fuel and coolant-temperature gauge, these shouldn't cause problems in the Honda Accord.
• The Honda Accord sedan or coupe should not have intermittent problems with the sunroof, hood latch, wipers, or other exterior equipment either.

Straight off the bat, we have to insist that you avoid any Honda Accord models fitted with the four-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately, this includes all of the V6-powered models as this powertrain is only available with the self-shifter. Pre-facelifted coupes are only bundled with this drivetrain so they should also not be on your shortlist. As is the case with all cars, do not look at examples that have not been routinely serviced and looked after. If there are any signs of paint degradation, rather move on as this is a problem that will grow unless the body is professionally resprayed.

Only consider four-cylinder F23A-powered models mated to the five-speed manual transmission. Ideally, you should look at the LX or EX trims as these feature the VTEC variable valve-timing system, providing it with improved performance. These trims are also generally better equipped. Ideally, the EX should be at the top of your list because of the improved braking system. You should also only consider facelifted models with the optional side airbags fitted as these provide a superior safety rating. Only look at models that have been routinely maintained and are in a good cosmetic condition.

Sadly, the sixth-generation Honda Accord is a weak link in the nameplate's relatively successful lineage. Its biggest flaw is the unreliable automatic transmission, but it is a car that is also known to develop annoying faults and niggles throughout the ownership experience because of substandard quality control, making foes such as the Toyota Camry and Nissan Maxima of the era slightly more appealing choices in this segment. Where it does excel is in its comfortable ride, generous interior space, and competitive list of standard comfort and safety features, but that's about where the pros end.