← New search

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

What owners actually said

460 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2006
Air Bags

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. DUE TO A MALFUNCTION. COMPANY REFUSES TO REPAIR. HONDA CO. THEY KNOW THAT BY LAW THEY NEED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THEY WANT CLIENTS TO REPAIR THEIR CARS AT OWNERS EXPENSE BREAKING THE LAW. THE NHTSA IS NOT ENFORCING THE LAW WHEN THEY KNOW HONDA CO HAS TO COVER THIS TYPE …

Read full complaint

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. DUE TO A MALFUNCTION. COMPANY REFUSES TO REPAIR. HONDA CO. THEY KNOW THAT BY LAW THEY NEED TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM, BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THEY WANT CLIENTS TO REPAIR THEIR CARS AT OWNERS EXPENSE BREAKING THE LAW. THE NHTSA IS NOT ENFORCING THE LAW WHEN THEY KNOW HONDA CO HAS TO COVER THIS TYPE OF REPAIR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10174728

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2006
Tires

TIRE BLEW OUT ON HIGHWAY AND RIPPED APART AT TREAD. TIRES ARE NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD. TIRES WERE BOUGHT AT PEP BOYS AND THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE TIRE. I DID LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR BUT LUCKILY I WAS NOT DRIVING FAST. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10169561

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2006
Air Bags

AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. THIS PUTS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AT RISK OF DEATH AND OR SERIOUS INJURY. THIS FALLS UNDER NHTSA LIST OF SAFETY RELATED DEFECTS. THIS ITEM NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED ASAP. THE DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR AT NO COST TO ME. ALSO CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. THEY …

Read full complaint

AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. THIS PUTS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AT RISK OF DEATH AND OR SERIOUS INJURY. THIS FALLS UNDER NHTSA LIST OF SAFETY RELATED DEFECTS. THIS ITEM NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED ASAP. THE DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR AT NO COST TO ME. ALSO CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER ANY AMOUNT TO FIX THE AIR BAGS. EVEN AFTER I INFORMED THEM THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES PLUS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT I AM AT HIGH RISK OF DEATH OR BEING CRITICALLY INJURED. THEY HAVE LEFT ME WITH OUT ANY OTHER OPTION BUT TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. I HOPE THAT THEY WILL FOLLOW NHTSA PROCEDURES BY DOING WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES AND STOP IGNORING THERE RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT CRITICAL SAFETY RELATED DEFECTS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10168713

114,000 miles · Sep 5, 2006
Electrical System

I HAVE A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. I HAVE BEEN HAVING SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR TURNING OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. IT LOOKS AS IF THE PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V120000 BUT WAS NOT. I CONSULTED THE HONDA DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL AND THEREFORE I MUST PAY FOR T…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. I HAVE BEEN HAVING SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR TURNING OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. IT LOOKS AS IF THE PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V120000 BUT WAS NOT. I CONSULTED THE HONDA DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED BY THIS RECALL AND THEREFORE I MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. WITH A POSSIBLE ONE MILLION CARS RECALLED, IT SEEMS AS IF THEY HAVE MISSED SOME. I HAVE ALSO FOUND OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND FEEL THAT IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167335

115,000 miles · Aug 10, 2006
Power Train

I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY 1997 HONDA ACCORD EX COUPE. I HAD MY TRANSMISSION SERVICED RECENTLY AND APPARENTLY THE CODE P0740 CAME UP WHICH IS RELATED TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER. WITH MANY HOURS OR RESEARCH AND SPEAKING WITH AMERICAN HONDA THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH ALL THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ON HONDA…

Read full complaint

I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY 1997 HONDA ACCORD EX COUPE. I HAD MY TRANSMISSION SERVICED RECENTLY AND APPARENTLY THE CODE P0740 CAME UP WHICH IS RELATED TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER. WITH MANY HOURS OR RESEARCH AND SPEAKING WITH AMERICAN HONDA THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH ALL THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ON HONDAS 1997 AND NEWER. THIS PROBLEM RESULTS IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDING REPLACEMENT. THE CLUTCH SLIPS AND TAKES SHARDS OF METAL OFF LEADING TO A CLOG IN THE FILTER. THE PROBLEM WILL CAUSE TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT ANY TIME. WHEN I CALLED AMERICAN HONDA THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE. THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY WOULD DO FOR ME. MY ONLY OPTION NOW IS TO SPEND 3000.00 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WHICH SEEMS UNFAIR SINCE THE CAR IS IN OTHERWISE FANTASTIC SHAPE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10165174

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2006
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

1) AS PER DESCRIPTION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99I002000. THE THROTTLE CABLE DID NOT RESPOND PROPERLY AT SLOW SPEED FOR 97 HONDA ACCORD AND RESULTED IN TO A COLLISION IN A PARKING. 2) AMERICAN HONDA DO NOT ACCEPT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99I002000. AS PER AMERICAN HONDA THIS IS NOT A VALID CAMPAIGN. THEY REFUSED TO…

Read full complaint

1) AS PER DESCRIPTION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99I002000. THE THROTTLE CABLE DID NOT RESPOND PROPERLY AT SLOW SPEED FOR 97 HONDA ACCORD AND RESULTED IN TO A COLLISION IN A PARKING. 2) AMERICAN HONDA DO NOT ACCEPT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99I002000. AS PER AMERICAN HONDA THIS IS NOT A VALID CAMPAIGN. THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE REQUEST. PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE FURTHER COURSE OF ACTION THAT I NEED TO DO SO THAT THIS CAMPAIGN ID CAN BE INVESTIGATED AND VALIDATED BY HONDA. FOR A 97 HONDA ACCORD. 3) AS PER LETTER FROM AMERICAN HONDA, DATED JANUARY 24TH 2006 BEARING FILE # N012006-01-2300700, THEY DENIED THE CAMPAIGN ID 99I002000. 4) THIS RESULTED INTO A COLLISION IN PARKING AND REPORTED TO GEICO. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10150254

88,000 miles · Jan 24, 2006
Air Bags

SRS COMPUTER FAILED. AIR BAG SYSTEM WILL NOT OPERATE. DEALER ADVISED THAT THE DEFECT IS IN THE COMPUTER MODULE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10148503

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2006
Air Bags

THE SRS LIGHT IN THE CONSUMER'S 1997 HONDA ACCORD ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TS *NM

NHTSA ODI #10149764

108,656 miles · Jan 23, 2006
Electrical System

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND DETERMINED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AGAIN. UPDATED 2/9/20…

Read full complaint

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND DETERMINED THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AGAIN. UPDATED 2/9/2006 - THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS ALSO RECALLED (02V120000) IN THE SUMMER 2002. THE DEALER INSTALLED AN IMPROVED IGNITION SWITCH BUT THAT ONE FAILED AS WELL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10148393

Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2005
Wheels

1997 HONDA ACCORD LEFT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF. *TS THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO IT'S LEFT FRONT QUARTER PANEL. THE LUG NUTS HAD SHEARED OFF. ABOUT A MONTH PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER HAD ONE TIRE REPLACED AND THE WHEELS ROTATED (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *NM

NHTSA ODI #10147530

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