← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Seat Belts complaints

13 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2019
Air BagsSeat Belts

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

NHTSA ODI #11268662

1,003 miles · Dec 19, 2016
Seat BeltsSteeringWheels

E-MAIL-[XXX].//.**[XXX]** INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #10936283

118,250 miles · Nov 19, 2007
Seat Belts

TWO OF THE THREE BACK SEAT BELTS, THE CENTER AND THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE, HAVE BROKEN AWAY FROM THE BUCKLE SIDE THAT IS BOLTED TO THE BODY OF THE CAR. THEY BROKE WHEN I TIGHTENED THEN UP TO BUCKLE A CHILD CAR SEAT. IT HAPPENED ON THE DAY THAT I MADE THIS COMPLAINT SO I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REPLACE THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10209367

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2007
Seat Belts

1997 HONDA CIVIC EX FAULTY SEAT BELT CUSTOMER STATES SHE STUCK IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT FOR TWENTY MINUTES BEFORE CUTTING HERSELF FREE EVEN THOUGH HONDA HAS A LIFETIME SEATBELT WARRANTY THEY WILL NOT COVER IT BECAUSE OF INTENTIONAL CUTTING**SB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE, SHE TRIED TO G…

Read full complaint

1997 HONDA CIVIC EX FAULTY SEAT BELT CUSTOMER STATES SHE STUCK IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT FOR TWENTY MINUTES BEFORE CUTTING HERSELF FREE EVEN THOUGH HONDA HAS A LIFETIME SEATBELT WARRANTY THEY WILL NOT COVER IT BECAUSE OF INTENTIONAL CUTTING**SB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE VEHICLE, SHE TRIED TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SEATBELT WOULD NOT RELEASE HER. OVERTIME THE RELEASE BUTTON BEGAN TO STICK. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF NOT ONLY HER BUT HER BOYFRIEND TRYING TO RELEASE HER FROM THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER CUT THE SEATBELT IN ORDER TO GET FREE. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE CONTACTED HONDA AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE DEFECT AND ALSO NOTIFIED THE CORPORATION BUT TO NO AVAIL. BOTH PARTIES WOULD REFERENCE HER BACK AND FORTH TO CONTACT THE OTHER. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SEATBELT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY DUE TO THE FACT THE SEATBELT WAS INTENTIONALLY CUT AND THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO. THE CONSUMER WANTS THE SEATBELT TO BE REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10196912

68,069 miles · Oct 15, 2004
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat BeltsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A POT HOLE, AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK, AND PASSENGER STRUCK HIS FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10092582

25,000 miles · Jul 28, 2003
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

I OWN A 97 HONDA CIVIC LX 4DR AND HAVE BEEN IN 3 ACCIDENTS W/O AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN 9/98 I WAS REAR-ENDED AT 40 MPH WHICH BENT THE FRAME OF MY CAR AND COST SEVERAL THOUSAND TO REPAIR. HONDA SERVICE SAID THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY UNLESS THERE WAS A SUDDEN DECEL AND/OR FRONTAL IMPACT. A FEW MOS LATER IN 01/99, I WAS IN …

Read full complaint

I OWN A 97 HONDA CIVIC LX 4DR AND HAVE BEEN IN 3 ACCIDENTS W/O AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN 9/98 I WAS REAR-ENDED AT 40 MPH WHICH BENT THE FRAME OF MY CAR AND COST SEVERAL THOUSAND TO REPAIR. HONDA SERVICE SAID THAT THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY UNLESS THERE WAS A SUDDEN DECEL AND/OR FRONTAL IMPACT. A FEW MOS LATER IN 01/99, I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE POLICE RPT STATES THAT I BROADSIDED A 81 CADILLAC ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AT APPROX 35 MPH. THE FRONT END OF THE CADILLAC WAS DETROYED. I INJURED MY NECK, BACK, AND SHOULDER AS THE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK WHEN I FLEW FORWARD. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I WENT TO HONDA CARS OF MESA FOR BODY REPAIR. IT COST SEVERAL THOUSAND $, W/ SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE AND A BENT FRAME. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THIS ACCIDENT. I REQUESTED AN AIR BAG FCHECK AND MY FRIEND AND I WERE TOLD BY THE MGR OF SERVICE THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE OK AND THE SRS KNOWS WHEN TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS. HE SAID THAT THE COLLISION WAS NOT ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY; HOWEVER, I HAD DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT AT 35 MPH. MY CAR WAS ALSO BACKED OVER BY A GARBAGE TRUCK IN5/99 W/O AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN 04/03, I BEGAN TO HAVE PROBS WITH THE SRS LIGHT COMING ON AND STAYING ON. THE LIGHT WAS STAYING ON UNTIL THE CAR WAS RESTARTED. WITHIN 2 WKS, MY SRS LIGHT STAYED ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO A HONDA CERTIFIED MECHANIC. HE SAID THE SRS UNIT WAS BAD AND THE CODE GIVEN WAS 7-2, 7-3 WHICH INDICATES A BAD UNIT AND REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. THE PART COST WAS $370. AND THE LABOR WAS $75. THE DAY AFTER THE REPAIR, THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. WITHIN 2 MOS THE PART WENT BAD AND THE UNIT GAVE THE CODE 7-2, WHICH INDICATES REPLACEMENT W/O DIAGNOSTICS. HE FELT THE INITIAL PART MAY HAVE BEEN BAD AND REPLACED IT W/ HONDA'S PARTS WARRANTY, BUT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THERE WAS ANOTHER CAUSE FOR THE MALFUNCTION.THE PROB HAPPENED THE DAY AFTER I LEFT THE SHOP AND THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN DURING MOST TRIPS. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DEALER WILL NEED TO CONTACT THEIR TAC.

NHTSA ODI #10029323

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2002
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK IN PLACE WHEN THEY WERE REAR ENDED. CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. MR CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN REAR ENDED, THEY WERE FORCED INTO A CAR IN THE FRONT OF THEM. SUBSTAINED DAMAGE TO FRONT AND REAR BUMPER. PH 09-DEC-2002

NHTSA ODI #8021118

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2000
Seat Belts

FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT STAY LATCHED, LEAVING OCCUPANT WITHOUT ANY RESTRAINT IF INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #869823

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Seat Belts

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT GRABS / LOCKS UP WITHOUT DECELERATION ( LOCKS BELT IN POSITION ). *YC

NHTSA ODI #607915

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 1998
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

WAS TRAVELING 25MPH & REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE SITTING TOO FAR OUT IN THE LANE. LEFT FRONT END PUSHED BACKWARDS. DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER WHOSE HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD. HAD CUTS TO FACE & LIPS FROM BROKEN WINDSHIELD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #831832

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.

Go deeper into Honda Civic problems