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1997 Honda Accord

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Honda Accord do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 356.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

128 reports with mileage · 332 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 113 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 96 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

42 crash reports10 fire reports24 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

113 reports
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25 miles · Nov 30, 2017
Air Bags

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS NOT WENT OFF. I HAVE NOT HIT ANYTHING AND I WAS JUST DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN IT JUST CAME ON.

NHTSA ODI #11051464

150,000 miles · Aug 21, 2015
Air Bags

THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY ARE CHARGING A LOT TO REPAIR IT. I HAVE NOT DONE THE REPAIR . HOW COME AIR BAG RELATED SRS LIGHT CAN COME WHILE JUST DRIVING AND WHY DO I NEED TO PAY FOR IT ? IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURER

NHTSA ODI #10750414

130,000 miles · Jul 5, 2013
Air Bags

THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING AN AIRBAG PROBLEM WITH MY HONDA ACCORD AT APPROX. 130,000 MILES. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $90 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WITH A 8-5 INTERNAL FAILURE CODE. DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE SRS UNIT AT A COST TO ME OF $1100. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE HONDA CORPORATION AS …

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THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING AN AIRBAG PROBLEM WITH MY HONDA ACCORD AT APPROX. 130,000 MILES. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $90 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WITH A 8-5 INTERNAL FAILURE CODE. DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE SRS UNIT AT A COST TO ME OF $1100. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE HONDA CORPORATION AS A RECALL AS THEY HAVE COURAGEOUSLY DONE FOR THE HONDA CIVIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523359

70,000 miles · Nov 2, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC RESET THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND STATED THAT IF THE FAILURE PERSISTED, THE SRS MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC RESET THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND STATED THAT IF THE FAILURE PERSISTED, THE SRS MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT RE-ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10482958

105,000 miles · Apr 3, 2011
Air Bags

SRS LIGHT HAS BEEN RESET SEVERAL TIMES ON MY 1997 HONDA ACCORD LX.. THERE SEEMS NOT TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS. THIS IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394097

138,000 miles · Aug 5, 2010
Air Bags

THE SRS LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND HE SAID THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SRS MODULE COMPUTER WHICH MEANS THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347478

78,000 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Air Bags

THE SRS (AIRBAGS) LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS. IT INDICATES THE AIRBAGS ARE MALFUNCTION. INITIALLY, I ATTEMPTED TO RE-SET THE LIGHT TWICE, BUT IT CAME BACK SHORTLY AFTER RESETTING. AFTER SEARCHING THROUGH INTERNET AND NHTSA WEBSITE HERE, I REALIZE THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH 1997 HONDA ACCORD MODEL. SINCE THIS …

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THE SRS (AIRBAGS) LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS. IT INDICATES THE AIRBAGS ARE MALFUNCTION. INITIALLY, I ATTEMPTED TO RE-SET THE LIGHT TWICE, BUT IT CAME BACK SHORTLY AFTER RESETTING. AFTER SEARCHING THROUGH INTERNET AND NHTSA WEBSITE HERE, I REALIZE THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH 1997 HONDA ACCORD MODEL. SINCE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND IS NOT DRIVERS FAULT, HONDA SHOULD HOLD THE RESPONSIBILITY AND ISSUE A RECALL TO REPAIR IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318963

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2010
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308172

123,000 miles · Sep 28, 2009
Air Bags

AS WITH THE OTHERS SRS LIGHT CAME ON IN 2004 WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR HE TOOK IT TO A HONDA DEALER FOR A COMPLETE INSPECTION AND NOTHING WAS NOTED THAT THE SRS LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK IT INTO A HONDA DEALER AND THEY DIDN'T RUN ANY CHECKS THEY JUST TOLD ME THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST …

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AS WITH THE OTHERS SRS LIGHT CAME ON IN 2004 WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR HE TOOK IT TO A HONDA DEALER FOR A COMPLETE INSPECTION AND NOTHING WAS NOTED THAT THE SRS LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK IT INTO A HONDA DEALER AND THEY DIDN'T RUN ANY CHECKS THEY JUST TOLD ME THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST $1200.00 TO FIX. THEY TOOK THE CAR TO DO SOME OTHER MINOR REPAIRS AND WHEN I PICKED IT UP THE LIGHT WAS OFF. IT CAME BACK ON WITHIN MONTHS OF BEING OFF. IT HAS BEEN ON TO THIS DAY. IT SOUNDS FISHY TO ME THAT THEY CAN DIAGNOSE BY THE LAMP ON WHEN I READ THAT IT COULD BE A NUMBER OF LESS EXPENSIVE FIXES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285547

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2008
Air BagsElectrical SystemService Brakes, Electric

I HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS: 1) THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT I NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER AT A COST OF $900. I RESEARCHED POSSIBLE PROBLEMS ON THIS AND OTHER WEBSITES AND HAD LISTED THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS THAT WERE RELEVANT. THE DEALER WAS NOT SO THOROUGH. MY RESEARCH SHOWED THAT HONDA HAD BEEN HAVING …

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I HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS: 1) THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT I NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER AT A COST OF $900. I RESEARCHED POSSIBLE PROBLEMS ON THIS AND OTHER WEBSITES AND HAD LISTED THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS THAT WERE RELEVANT. THE DEALER WAS NOT SO THOROUGH. MY RESEARCH SHOWED THAT HONDA HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEM WITH THESE COMPUTERS ALREADY FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE PROBLEM WAS WITH A SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WHICH WAS MALFUNCTIONING IN SUCH A WAY AS TO LEAVE IN DOUBT WHETHER OR NOT THE AIR BAG WOULD DEPLOY. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT CONSUMERS HAVE TO PAY NEARLY 1,000.00 TO FIX SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS IN A SAFETY SYSTEM THAT HAVE REPEATEDLY NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. 2) MY ABS LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE THE PUMP MOTOR FOR THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD ACTIVATE AND ATTEMPT TO PUMP FLUID IN THE SYSTEM. IT COULD BE HEARD FROM INSIDE THE CAR AS A GRINDING NOISE. IT WOULD CYCLE ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 6 OR SO TIMES THEN THE RELAY WOULD TRIP, TURN OFF MOTOR AND ILLUMINATE THE ABS LIGHT. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE AMS MODULE WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF 1,700.00. RIDICULOUS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS ALSO A COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR. 3) WIRELESS ENTRY SYSTEM FAILED. 4) A/C EVAPORATOR SPRUNG A LEAK 5) DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR AUTO LOCK DOES NOT WORK. THIS CAR IS FAR FROM RELIABLE, AS ADVERTISED TO BE, AND VERY QUESTIONABLE IN THE SAFETY DEPARTMENT. I AM FINISHED WITH HONDA! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227680

Official recalls

3

02V120000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

May 16, 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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

99V069000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

May 10, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

98V231000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Sep 22, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN, COUPE AND WAGON PASSENGER VEHICLES EXCEPT THE DX MODEL AND MODELS WITH V6 ENGINES. THE FACTORY INSTALLED AIR CONDITIONER WIRE HARNESS WAS IMPROPERLY ROUTED ALLOWING SOME WIRES TO RUB AGAINST EACH OTHER, EVENTUALLY CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SHORT CIRCUIT CANPOSSIBLY CAUSE THE UNDERHOOD WIREING TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE, CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN ALSO RESULT IN A BLOWN FUSE OR DEAD BATTERY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THESE WIRES. ANY HARNESS IMPROPERLY ROUTED WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND THE ROUTING WILL BE CORRECTED. IF ANY INSULATION IS WORN THROUGH AND THE COPPER WIRES ARE EXPOSED, THE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL PLASTIC TUBING TO PROTECT THE HARNESS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Honda Accord problems