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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

What owners actually said

460 reports
76,000 miles · Feb 6, 2004
Visibility

ELECTRIC WINDOWS OPERATE VERY SLOWLY (TO NOT AT ALL) ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH STICKS TO THE "ON" POSITION IN COLD WEATHER. ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. EMISSIONS LIGHT COMES ON (AND STAYS ON) PREMATURELY OR FOR NO REASON). *AK

NHTSA ODI #10056698

58,500 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Power Train

ON 7/27/03, SUNDAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHOWED UP, I DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC RIGHT AWAY THE NEXT DAY, BUT ON MONDAY MORNING, I COULDN'T EVEN GET OUT TO THE MAIN ROAD FROM MY DEVELOPMENT AND THE CAR JUST LOST THE GEAR. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGN, AND THE INCIDENT COULD HAVE TURNED FATAL AT HIGHWAY TRA…

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ON 7/27/03, SUNDAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SHOWED UP, I DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC RIGHT AWAY THE NEXT DAY, BUT ON MONDAY MORNING, I COULDN'T EVEN GET OUT TO THE MAIN ROAD FROM MY DEVELOPMENT AND THE CAR JUST LOST THE GEAR. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGN, AND THE INCIDENT COULD HAVE TURNED FATAL AT HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SPEEDS. CAR JUST HAS 58K MILES AND HONDA REFUSES TO HELP IN ANY WAY, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE HISTORY OF SUCH PROBLEMS AND THEY EVEN HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRENTY FOR SUCH PROBLEMS ON NEWER HONDA AND ACURA BRANDED VEHICLES. THE REASON FOR REFUSAL IS THAT THEY DON'T PROVIDE GOODWILL ASSISTANCE TO VEHICLES MORE THAN 5 YEARS OLD. BUT THE BOTTOMLINE IS THAT I HAVE MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE WELL AND GENERALLY THE USAGE HABITS AFFECT MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS NOT THE AUTOMATIC ONES. WE HAVE DRIVEN OTHER CARS TO DEATH AND NOTHING HAD HAPPENED TO THEIR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, SO THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THERE IS CERTAIN QUALITY AND DURABILITY THAT IS EXPECTED FROM ANY PRODUCT, AND THE MANUFECTURER SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY PRODUCT THAT FAILS, EVEN IF IT HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF WARRENTY. THE FACT THAT THEY PROVIDE 7 YEARS/100000 MILES EXTENDED WARRENTY ON NEWER VEHICLES, SETS UP A PRECEDENT, THAT IS THEY EXPECT A DEFECT FREE TRANSMISSION TO LAST AT LEAST THAT LONG. HONDA JUST THINKS THAT THEY CAN GET AWAY WITHOUT FIXING OLDER CARS BECAUSE THEY THINK OWENERS WON'T PURSUE THEIR CASE IN THE COURT, BUT I AM GOING TO THE SMALL CLAIMS COURT FOR SURE ON THIS ONE.

NHTSA ODI #10070751

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Power Train

HI, SEVERAL YEARS AGO I REPORTED TO NHTSA (AND CORPORATE HONDA)THAT MY HONDA ACCORD HAD SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. A NHTSA ENGINEER TELEPHONED ME AND DID IN FACT GO OUT TO A DEALER TO INVESTIGATE MY ALLEGATION. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN BY NHTSA AND HONDA DID NOTHING TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION DEFECT. TODAY, SOME YEARS AFTER MY CO…

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HI, SEVERAL YEARS AGO I REPORTED TO NHTSA (AND CORPORATE HONDA)THAT MY HONDA ACCORD HAD SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. A NHTSA ENGINEER TELEPHONED ME AND DID IN FACT GO OUT TO A DEALER TO INVESTIGATE MY ALLEGATION. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN BY NHTSA AND HONDA DID NOTHING TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION DEFECT. TODAY, SOME YEARS AFTER MY COMPLAINT, I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOPS ARE EXPERIENCING A LARGE AND UNUSUAL INCREASE IN TRANSMISSION FAILURES OF THE HONDA ACCORD, 4 AND 6-CYLINDER. FAILURES ARE OCCURRING AT 40,000 TO 60,000 MILES. HONDA DEALERSHIPS HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ARE NOT PAYING FOR THESE PREMATURE FAILURES, INSTEAD OWNERS ARE PAYING $6,000.000 FOR NEW TRANMISSIONS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. YOURS VERY TRULY, PETER REITER/PSREITER@AOL.COM

NHTSA ODI #10069969

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED I HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE ABS MODULATOR. THE NOISE REPEATEDLY OCCURS APPROX EVERY 2-3 MINUTES. AFTER APPROX 5 MILES OF DRIVING THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT 2 PARTS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED, THE MODULATOR AND ?. THE COST OF REPAIR WAS 1200 WITH A DEALER DISCOUNT.

NHTSA ODI #10069909

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Power Train

STARTED AT ABOUT 46K TACH STARTED BOUNCING OVER 2K RPM THAN STARTED EXPERANCING POWERLOSS AND ERATIC SHIFTING THAN INTERMITANT UNDRIVEABLE CONDITIONS DEALER SAYS I NEED A NEW TRANS

NHTSA ODI #10069263

40,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires

I PURCHASED THIS 1997 HONDA ACCORD FROM MY MOM (SHE WAS THE ONLY OWNER) IT ONLY HAD 18,000 MILES AT THE TIME. CURRENTLY THE AUTO HAS A LITTLE MORE THAN 40,000 AND THERE IS NOTICABLE TIRE WEAR AND THE BRAKES MAKE A STRANGE CLICKING NOISE WHEN BRAKING.

NHTSA ODI #10068803

94,000 miles · Jan 14, 2004
Air Bags

I HAVE HONDA ACCORD 1997 V6 MODEL AND HAVE CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH SRS LIGHT. I HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND IN THE END I AM TOLD ABOUT COMPUTER REPLACEMENT NEED WHICH COSTS $750. I AM DRIVING WITH SRS LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT AND AIRBAGS WERE NEVER DEPLOYED. TODAY I SAW …

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I HAVE HONDA ACCORD 1997 V6 MODEL AND HAVE CONTINUOUS PROBLEM WITH SRS LIGHT. I HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND IN THE END I AM TOLD ABOUT COMPUTER REPLACEMENT NEED WHICH COSTS $750. I AM DRIVING WITH SRS LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT AND AIRBAGS WERE NEVER DEPLOYED. TODAY I SAW SAME COMPLAINTS ON YOUR WEB SITE.WAS THERE ANY SOLUTION FOUND FOR THIS COMPLAINT PLEASE HELP ME WHAT CAN I DO TO FIX THIS SRS PROBLEM IN MY CAR. YOUR HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.MY CAR VIN IS [XXX]. *AK UPDATED 07/26/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10053171

57,900 miles · Jan 13, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR A RECALL REPAIRS FOR A BALANCER SHAFT OIL SEAL LEAK. HONDA REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. HONDA INSISTED THEIR RESPONSIBILITY ENDED IN JANUARY 2003. HOWEVER, CONSUMER CALLED IN SEPTEMBER 2002 TO GET THIS WORK DONE. IT WASN'T MENTIONED AT THAT TIME. FILE WASN'T UPDATED, RESULTING IN REFUSAL OF RECALL R…

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VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR A RECALL REPAIRS FOR A BALANCER SHAFT OIL SEAL LEAK. HONDA REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. HONDA INSISTED THEIR RESPONSIBILITY ENDED IN JANUARY 2003. HOWEVER, CONSUMER CALLED IN SEPTEMBER 2002 TO GET THIS WORK DONE. IT WASN'T MENTIONED AT THAT TIME. FILE WASN'T UPDATED, RESULTING IN REFUSAL OF RECALL REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10053983

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2004
Electrical System

1997 HONDA ACCORD IGNITION RECALL.*MR (NAR) *CB

NHTSA ODI #10053520

55,000 miles · Dec 18, 2003
Power Train

I REMOVED IGNITION KEY , THINKING TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK, AND EXITED FROM CAR. THE CAR ROLLED AWAY. I DISCOVERED IT WAS IN DRIVE. HONDA HAS A RECALL # 03V423000 FOR THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM ON MY CAR HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY THE DEALER. I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE 1997S , ONLY 1998-1999. I AM H…

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I REMOVED IGNITION KEY , THINKING TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK, AND EXITED FROM CAR. THE CAR ROLLED AWAY. I DISCOVERED IT WAS IN DRIVE. HONDA HAS A RECALL # 03V423000 FOR THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM ON MY CAR HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY THE DEALER. I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE 1997S , ONLY 1998-1999. I AM HEREBY INFORMING YOU THAT THE PROBLEM ALSO EXISTS ON 1997S (DEMONSTRATABLE ON MY VEHICAL WITH 59K MILES.) 1997'S SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MY CASE NUMBER WITH HONDA IS NO12003-12-1000057. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY SO THAT I CAN GET A FIX TO A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THANK YOU.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10050726

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.

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