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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

What owners actually said

460 reports
235,000 miles · May 17, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

MY CAR ENGINE SOME TIMES USED TO SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND STOP ABRUPTLY, WHILE SLOWING OR BRAKING. AT TIMES, IT WILL START RIGHT AWAY AFTER CRANKING THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT, SOME TIMES, REQUIRED SEVERAL TRIES. ABRUPT STOPPING CAUSED EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS THE DRIVERS BEHIND HAD TO MAKE VERY HARD STOPS AND NARROWLY MISS…

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MY CAR ENGINE SOME TIMES USED TO SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND STOP ABRUPTLY, WHILE SLOWING OR BRAKING. AT TIMES, IT WILL START RIGHT AWAY AFTER CRANKING THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT, SOME TIMES, REQUIRED SEVERAL TRIES. ABRUPT STOPPING CAUSED EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS THE DRIVERS BEHIND HAD TO MAKE VERY HARD STOPS AND NARROWLY MISSED HITTING REAR END OF MY HONDA. SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE AND TOOK ALMOST ONE YEAR. FIRST MY MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE IDLING SPEED CONTROL RELAY, THEN DUE TO BAD IGNITION RELATED RELAY, WHICH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAULT PERSISTED AND STALLING BECAME MORE FREQUENT. ACTUALLY, THE DEFECT WAS DUE TO WORN OR DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH USE TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF WHILE SLOWING OR BRAKING. AFTER REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO, CAR HAS NEVER STALLED.

NHTSA ODI #10716909

198,500 miles · May 5, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

ENGINE STALLED SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. SINCE FIRST OCCURRENCE IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY, SOMETIMES ON THE HIGHWAY AND SOMETIMES WHILE STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. IS VERY DIFFICULT TO RESTART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714555

22,536 miles · Jan 18, 2015
Electrical SystemFire

I WAS BACKING UP. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THEN IT DIED AND STARTED TO SMOKE I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER HOOD, SAW FLAMES FROM BOTTOM OF CAR, TOLD MY DAUGHTER THE CAR IS ON FIRE. WE GOT OUR THINGS AND OUT AND I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676271

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2015
Electrical SystemSeat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH IN PLACE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY DISENGAGED WHILE IN THE ON POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH IN PLACE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY DISENGAGED WHILE IN THE ON POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10670595

120,000 miles · Dec 23, 2014
Structure

CLEAR COAT PEELING AWAY FROM PAINT ON HOOD ROOF TRUNK AND DOORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668074

405,000 miles · Dec 16, 2014
Seat Belts

I HAD FILED A REPORT WITH THE BAR ABOUT A SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY HONDA ACCORD STARTING TO FREY AND THEY HAD SPOKE WITH HONDA IN POWAY CA AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THE SEAT BELT BECAUSE IT IS NOT BROKEN. TO ME IT SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WILL THE SEAT BELT BE WORKING 100%? THERE …

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I HAD FILED A REPORT WITH THE BAR ABOUT A SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY HONDA ACCORD STARTING TO FREY AND THEY HAD SPOKE WITH HONDA IN POWAY CA AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THE SEAT BELT BECAUSE IT IS NOT BROKEN. TO ME IT SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WILL THE SEAT BELT BE WORKING 100%? THERE ARE TEAR MARKS ON THE BELT WERE IT CLICKS TO THE BELT BUCKLE AND I FEEL THIS IS NOT SAFE. I FEEL HONDA SHOULD COVER THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664734

101,398 miles · Dec 10, 2014
Engine

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STALLED/FAILED, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND IT FELT LIKE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HEADLIGHTS WERE WORKING ALONG WITH THE DASH LIGHTS. DURING THE STALLING PERIOD - I PULLED OVER AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. SOON THERE AFTER, THE ENGINE CAME ON AND…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STALLED/FAILED, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING AND IT FELT LIKE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. HEADLIGHTS WERE WORKING ALONG WITH THE DASH LIGHTS. DURING THE STALLING PERIOD - I PULLED OVER AND CAME TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY. SOON THERE AFTER, THE ENGINE CAME ON AND I BEGAN TO DRIVE AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED TWICE DURING A 30 MINUTE RIDE WHILE IT WAS RAINING. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663287

183,000 miles · Aug 29, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE O-RING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND AN OIL LEAK NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE O-RING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND AN OIL LEAK NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

NHTSA ODI #10629338

260,000 miles · Aug 27, 2014
Electrical System

VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. CONTINUED TO STALL AT LOW SPEEDS HIGH SPEEDS COLD ENGINE HOT ENGINE. SINCE IT WAS INTERMITTENT, MECHANIC HAD TROUBLE DIAGNOSING. I FOUND A RECALL ON NHTSA REGARDING THIS PROBLEM IN WHICH THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE WAS TO BLAME. HONDA REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL GIVEN THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT HAD …

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VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. CONTINUED TO STALL AT LOW SPEEDS HIGH SPEEDS COLD ENGINE HOT ENGINE. SINCE IT WAS INTERMITTENT, MECHANIC HAD TROUBLE DIAGNOSING. I FOUND A RECALL ON NHTSA REGARDING THIS PROBLEM IN WHICH THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE WAS TO BLAME. HONDA REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL GIVEN THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT HAD PASSED SO I HAD IT REPAIRED AT MY MECHANICS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10628710

200,500 miles · Aug 22, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. AS THE VEHICLE SPEED DECELERATED THE CONTACT SWITCHED THE SHIFTER INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. AS THE VEHICLE SPEED DECELERATED THE CONTACT SWITCHED THE SHIFTER INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,500.

NHTSA ODI #10627376

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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