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1997 Honda Civic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Civic years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Honda Civic are substantially higher than the model-year median of 183.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 93 of 373 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 140 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

67 crash reports2 fire reports42 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

140 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2022
Air Bags

The contact owns a 1997 Honda Civic. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V026000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact then received a notice that the parts were available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it remained in their possession for …

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The contact owns a 1997 Honda Civic. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V026000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact then received a notice that the parts were available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it remained in their possession for three months due to the part for the vehicle not being available. The contact then signed a waiver to take liability for any air bag failure that may occur while in his possession. The contact also declined a buyback offer made by the manufacturer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11458979

212,000 miles · Sep 28, 2020
Air Bags

GOOD DAY: ON 17 MARCH 2020, HONDA ADVISED ME THAT MY 1997 CIVIC IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL 20V-026, WHICH AFFECTS THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG MODULE. IN THE RECALL NOTICE, HONDA SAID THE REPAIR PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE, AND PROMISED TO NOTIFY ME WHEN THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS BECOME AVAILABLE. MORE THAN SIX MONTHS LATER, I AM STIL…

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GOOD DAY: ON 17 MARCH 2020, HONDA ADVISED ME THAT MY 1997 CIVIC IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL 20V-026, WHICH AFFECTS THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG MODULE. IN THE RECALL NOTICE, HONDA SAID THE REPAIR PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE, AND PROMISED TO NOTIFY ME WHEN THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS BECOME AVAILABLE. MORE THAN SIX MONTHS LATER, I AM STILL AWAITING WORD FROM HONDA ABOUT WHEN MY CAR CAN BE REPAIRED. MY HONDA DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. I THEREFORE WISH TO ISSUE A FORMAL COMPLAINT THAT HONDA HAS FAILED TO REMEDY THIS DEFECT WITHIN THE 60-DAY REASONABLE TIME PERIOD SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

NHTSA ODI #11361620

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2020
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. HONDA OF GREELEY (4535 W. 29TH ST, GREELEY, CO 80634) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. HONDA OF GREELEY (4535 W. 29TH ST, GREELEY, CO 80634) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11355139

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2020
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. GARDENA HONDA LOCATED AT 15541 S WESTERN AVE, GARDENA, CA 90249 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASON…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. GARDENA HONDA LOCATED AT 15541 S WESTERN AVE, GARDENA, CA 90249 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11343031

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2020
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NORM REEVES HONDA SUPERSTORE HU…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NORM REEVES HONDA SUPERSTORE HUNTINGTON BEACH (19131 BEACH BLVD, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92648, (888) 405-0115) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11330421

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2020
Air Bags

I GOT A RECALL LETTER SAYING THEY DON'T HAVE MY PART AND I HAVE SIXTY DAYS TO REPLY BUT WITH THIS VIRUS HOW AND WHEN WILL THEY HAVE MY PART

NHTSA ODI #11320273

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2019
Air BagsSeat Belts

MY HONDA IS OVER 15 YEARS OLD. ARE THE AIRBAGS SAFE?

NHTSA ODI #11268662

158,000 miles · Dec 8, 2017
Air BagsStructure

TAKATA RECALL? WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT THROUGH MY NEIGHBORHOOD BOULEVARD I FELL ASLEEP, CAUSING ME TO QUICKLY ACCELERATTE AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE WITNESSES AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE CAR. MY FACE AND BODY HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, RESULTING IN 4 TEETH KNOCKED OUT…

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TAKATA RECALL? WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT THROUGH MY NEIGHBORHOOD BOULEVARD I FELL ASLEEP, CAUSING ME TO QUICKLY ACCELERATTE AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE WITNESSES AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE CAR. MY FACE AND BODY HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, RESULTING IN 4 TEETH KNOCKED OUT, 8 SPINE DISC HERNIATIONS AND INJURIES, A HEART CONTUSION, WHIPLASH, CONCUSSION, CRACKED COLLAR BONE, AND MUCH BRUISING, AND BROKEN EYE GLASSES, RETRIEVED BY AN ATTENDING NEIGHBOR WITNESS. I WAS TOLD BY AN ATTENDING EMT THAT IF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THESE INJURIES WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. WHEN I ASKED MY INSURANCE AGENT HOW TO RETRIEVE MY PERSONAL ITEMS FROM THE CAR I WAS TOLD HE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS AND, WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE, MY INSURANCE CO. TRANSFERED MY HONDA TO THE WRECKING YARD TO BE FLATTENED. I SPOKE TO THE ACCIDENT ATTENDING RESCUE RESPONDERS AND FIREMEN. THEY SAID BASED ON THE WAY MY CAR HIT THE TREE HEAD ON AND THE IMPACT SPEED, THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND IF THE AIRBAGS WERE PRESENT IN THE CAR THEY MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE. I HAVE KEPT ALL WRITTEN PAPERWORK RESULTING FROM THIS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11053584

169,000 miles · Jan 11, 2017
Air BagsElectrical System

"TAKATA RECALL" MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF WHEN I WAS TURNING AND WENT OVER A A BUMP, AND CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD REALLY BAD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE SRS RED LIGHT HAD BEEN ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME BEFORE THIS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT BLEW A FUSE AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. I DID NOT FILE A POLICE REPORT BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE LIABILITY INSU…

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"TAKATA RECALL" MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF WHEN I WAS TURNING AND WENT OVER A A BUMP, AND CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD REALLY BAD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE SRS RED LIGHT HAD BEEN ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME BEFORE THIS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT BLEW A FUSE AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. I DID NOT FILE A POLICE REPORT BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR THE CAR SO INSURANCE DID NOT NEED IT. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK AND WOULD HONK THE HORN WHEN I TRIED TO USE IT

NHTSA ODI #10944444

265,000 miles · Jun 3, 2016
Air BagsCrashFireInjury

TAKATA RECALL THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE IT HIT A GUARD RAIL, FLIPPED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED!! MY DAUGHTER HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI #10872457

Official recalls

2

20V026000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 17, 2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

97V193000 · Air Bags:frontal

Nov 1, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED. THE CLOTH FLAPS COVERING THE FOLDED AIR BAG MAY HAVE BEEN TUCKED IN TOO FAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. IN A CRASH, AN IMPROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG MODULE TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING.

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

1

SQ98012 · Condenser Fan Motor Inoperative

Opened Jun 30, 1998 · Closed Nov 2, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.

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