NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
460 reports155,000 miles · Nov 4, 2009
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVE SHAFT DISENGAGED BECAUSE THE LEFT BALL JOINTS FAILED. THIS CONDITION CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 99V069000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVE SHAFT DISENGAGED BECAUSE THE LEFT BALL JOINTS FAILED. THIS CONDITION CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 99V069000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10290966
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
89,000 miles · Aug 25, 2009
Visibility
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN OR CLOSE THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW IT FAILED TO OPEN OR CLOSE COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89000.
NHTSA ODI #10281711
118,000 miles · Aug 17, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 40MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TEMPORARILY SHUT OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118000.
NHTSA ODI #10280629
136,000 miles · Jun 24, 2009
Electrical SystemFire
THE VEHICLE WAS STOP AND THE HORN STARTED WITH A REALLY LOUD NOISE THAT HURT MY EARS THEN I TRIED TO STOPPED WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR IT WAS FULL OF SMOKE IT REALLY SMELLED BAD MY HEAD FELT KIND OF WEAR WITH THE SMOKE IT MADE ME KIND OF DIZZY AND SLEEPY FROM THEN MY CAR DOESN'T WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10274894
109,000 miles · Jun 10, 2009
Electrical System
ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. OCCURS UNEXPECTED AND WITH OUT ANY WARNING. INSTANCE OCCURS AT ALL SPEEDS AND LEAVES DRIVER IN POSSIBLE DEADLY SITUATION. FAILURE CORRECTED ON SIMILAR HONDA VEHICLES ON RECALL 02V120000 (IGNITION SWITCH) BUT NOT ALL MODELS INCLUDED AS IN MY VIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273503
50,000 miles · Jun 1, 2009
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN HE PLACED THE IGNITION IN THE LOCK POSITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HE HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE DEALER STATED THAT A NEW IGNITION SWITCH WOULD COST $500. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE W…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN HE PLACED THE IGNITION IN THE LOCK POSITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HE HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE DEALER STATED THAT A NEW IGNITION SWITCH WOULD COST $500. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 12 YEARS OLD AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: SWITCH). THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10272583
135,000 miles · May 29, 2009
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. IN 2004, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. IN 2004, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
NHTSA ODI #10272351
175,000 miles · Apr 16, 2009
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AS IF THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF HERSELF. SHE STEERED THE VEHICLE INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND RESTARTED IT AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THE FIRST FAILURES OCCURRED 1-2 MONTHS APART. MOST RECENTLY, THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVERY OTHE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AS IF THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF HERSELF. SHE STEERED THE VEHICLE INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND RESTARTED IT AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THE FIRST FAILURES OCCURRED 1-2 MONTHS APART. MOST RECENTLY, THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVERY OTHER DAY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FRIEND, WHO STATED THAT THE ISSUE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V120000 REGARDING THE IGNITION; HOWEVER, A FORMAL DIAGNOSIS WAS NEVER RECEIVED. THE LATEST OCCURRENCE WAS ON APRIL 16, 2009 WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 183,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000.
NHTSA ODI #10265662
107,000 miles · Feb 26, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE ROAD DECREASED. THE CONTACT DECIDED TO DECELERATE, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A TREE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE ROAD DECREASED. THE CONTACT DECIDED TO DECELERATE, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A TREE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED ANKLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/17/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10260061
Official recalls
3May 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.
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.
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 ↗
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