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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.

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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

38 reports
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171,000 miles · May 28, 2019
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH (THE CRUSE CONTROL ON), WHEN ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO AVOID THE VEHICLES IN FRONT, WENT IN TO AN EMBANKMENT, AND THEN CAME OUT ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT GOT STRIKED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH (THE CRUSE CONTROL ON), WHEN ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO AVOID THE VEHICLES IN FRONT, WENT IN TO AN EMBANKMENT, AND THEN CAME OUT ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT GOT STRIKED BY A PICK UP TRUCK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE, TREATED AND RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000. *BF*JB

NHTSA ODI #11210337

255,015 miles · Feb 8, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SEVERELY HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 255,015. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10824806

155,899 miles · Jun 26, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,899. UPDATED 09/03/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. UPDATED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,899. UPDATED 09/03/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. UPDATED 12/8/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10730700

192,000 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Equipment Adaptive/mobilityFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 2+ WINTERS ON MY CAR. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK ON A COLD WINTER NIGHT. I GOT THE FREEWAY AND ACCELERATED TO 55 MPH. I THEN SET THE CRUISE CONTROL (AS I NORMALLY DO IN LIGHT TRAFFIC). I NOTICED THAT THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING A LOT MORE THAN IT SHOULD.…

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I HAVE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 2+ WINTERS ON MY CAR. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK ON A COLD WINTER NIGHT. I GOT THE FREEWAY AND ACCELERATED TO 55 MPH. I THEN SET THE CRUISE CONTROL (AS I NORMALLY DO IN LIGHT TRAFFIC). I NOTICED THAT THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING A LOT MORE THAN IT SHOULD. I LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICED THAT I WAS DOING 70 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I CONTINUED TO NOTICE THIS ISSUE ALL WINTER. I SET THE CRUISE AT 40 MPH AND NOTICED THAT IT WENT UP BY ABOUT 20 MPH ABOVE THE SETTING BEFORE IT FINALLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AND SETTLED BACK TO THE CRUISE SET SPEED (OR CLOSE TO IT). IN THE WARM WEATHER THIS PROBLEM DISAPPEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578369

160,000 miles · Oct 1, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO HIS HANDS DUE TO THE AIR …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO HIS HANDS DUE TO THE AIR BAG AND WAS ALSO SUFFERING FROM BACK PAIN. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN RIB AND PAIN TO HER ENTIRE BODY. THE CONTACT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WERE UNDERGOING PHYSICAL THERAPY TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10478120

160,000 miles · Sep 24, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN AN ALLEY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE WALL BEFORE INDEPENDENTLY COMING TO A STOP. THE CONTACT AND HIS WIFE SUSTAINED INJURIES AS A RESULT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN AN ALLEY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE WALL BEFORE INDEPENDENTLY COMING TO A STOP. THE CONTACT AND HIS WIFE SUSTAINED INJURIES AS A RESULT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000. UPDATED 10/24/12*LJ UPDATED 10/25/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10476884

93,850 miles · Aug 30, 2012
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL ON MY CAR, AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING AND THE GAS PEDAL GOT HARD I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK TO STOP IT FROM HITTING A CAR IN FRONT OF ME ALL WHILE THE ENGINE KEPT REVVING, I THEN TURNED OF THE CAR AND WHEN I TURNED IT ON IT WAS STILL DOING THE SAME THING UNTIL I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN IT WENT B…

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PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL ON MY CAR, AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING AND THE GAS PEDAL GOT HARD I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK TO STOP IT FROM HITTING A CAR IN FRONT OF ME ALL WHILE THE ENGINE KEPT REVVING, I THEN TURNED OF THE CAR AND WHEN I TURNED IT ON IT WAS STILL DOING THE SAME THING UNTIL I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472989

144,000 miles · Feb 14, 2012
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control

ON MY WAY HOME ON I-295 MY CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WAS HARD TO STEER AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP IN THE EMERGENCY LANE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A BAD IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THE PART WAS UNDER RECALL. THE HONDA TECH CALLED M…

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ON MY WAY HOME ON I-295 MY CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WAS HARD TO STEER AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP IN THE EMERGENCY LANE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A BAD IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THE PART WAS UNDER RECALL. THE HONDA TECH CALLED ME YESTERDAY AND TRIED TO TELL ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE FUSE BOX. MY MECHANIC ALREADY KNEW IT WAS THE SWITCH AND HONDA TOLD ME THE SAME THING WHEN I DROPPED THE CAR OFF. IM NOT SURE IF THEY WERE TRYING TO UPSELL ME OR DENY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447971

180,000 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD SE (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 45 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STAT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD SE (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 45 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10378497

110,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TWICE DURING REGULAR DRIVING - ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH AND ONCE WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY - THE CAR ENGINE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN - BRAKING DID NOT HELP. HAD TO PUT IN NEUTRAL AND TAP BRAKES 3-4 TIMES. NO INJURIES/ACCIDENTS BUT IT IS WORRISOME. AND I WAS NOT EVEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL DOWN MORE - OTHER THAN MAINTAINING…

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TWICE DURING REGULAR DRIVING - ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH AND ONCE WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY - THE CAR ENGINE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN - BRAKING DID NOT HELP. HAD TO PUT IN NEUTRAL AND TAP BRAKES 3-4 TIMES. NO INJURIES/ACCIDENTS BUT IT IS WORRISOME. AND I WAS NOT EVEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL DOWN MORE - OTHER THAN MAINTAINING SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313397

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