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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

Structure complaints

18 reports
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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

130,000 miles · May 4, 2016
Structure

THE ROOF AND DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BLACK PAINT PEELING. I HAVE SEEN A FEW OTHER SAME CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10863008

45,000 miles · May 2, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineStructure

I HAD CAR COMPUTER PROBLEMS, AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM AND PAINT ON CAR BODY IS CRACKING. THESE PROBLEMS STARTED TO HAPPEN GRADUALLY, COMPUTER PROBLEMS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD IN THE CITY; THE PAINT STARTED TO CRACK FOR MANY YEARS AND THE CAR LOOKS MISERABLE. THE AIR CONDITIONING BROKE DOWN DURING A SUMMER TIME,…

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I HAD CAR COMPUTER PROBLEMS, AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM AND PAINT ON CAR BODY IS CRACKING. THESE PROBLEMS STARTED TO HAPPEN GRADUALLY, COMPUTER PROBLEMS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD IN THE CITY; THE PAINT STARTED TO CRACK FOR MANY YEARS AND THE CAR LOOKS MISERABLE. THE AIR CONDITIONING BROKE DOWN DURING A SUMMER TIME, WHEN I HAD NO MONEY TO REPAIR IT AND HAD TO SUFFER DUE TO THE HIGH HEAT WEATHER. THERE IS ALSO A CRACK SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE, NOT SURE WHERE, WHICH CAN MAKE THINGS WORSE.

NHTSA ODI #10862668

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2005
StructureInjury

MY 75-YEAR OLD MOTHER HAS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC EX. THE TRUNK LID IS CONSTANTLY FALLING FROM THE OPEN POSITION AND THIS EVENING CAUGHT HER RIGHT ACROSS THE BRIDGE OF HER NOSE, RESULTING IN A DEEP LACERATION. HONDAS ARE SO CHEAPLY MADE, THAT I SEE NO WAY OF ADJUSTING THE TRUNK LID. PERHAPS I WILL FILE A LAWSUIT!!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10108227

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2003
Structure

1997 HONDA CIVIC 4 DOOR DX, BOTH REAR DOORS LOCKED UP, UNABLE TO OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10023206

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2001
SteeringStructure

HONDA GUILTY OF BREACH OF WARRANTY AND IGNORING RECALL ISSUE. PAINT REPAIR DONE 4 TIMES INCLUDING 1 OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY DEFECTIVE PAINT PROBLEMS. SUNVISOR INTERMITTENTLY COMES OUT WHEN DRIVING WHICH SUDDENLY IS A HINDRANCE IN DRIVING. HORRIBLE RUST PROBLEMS THAT WILL CAUSE DEFECTS IN EQUIPMENT. CRUISE CON…

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HONDA GUILTY OF BREACH OF WARRANTY AND IGNORING RECALL ISSUE. PAINT REPAIR DONE 4 TIMES INCLUDING 1 OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY DEFECTIVE PAINT PROBLEMS. SUNVISOR INTERMITTENTLY COMES OUT WHEN DRIVING WHICH SUDDENLY IS A HINDRANCE IN DRIVING. HORRIBLE RUST PROBLEMS THAT WILL CAUSE DEFECTS IN EQUIPMENT. CRUISE CONTROL FAILED UNDER WARRANTY HONDA DID NOT REPAIR ALTHOUGH THEY CLAIMED THEY WOULD INITIALLY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #750402

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2001
Structure

AFTER GETTING 4 INCHES OF WATER IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR AND 2 INCHES AT FRONT, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPORTED THAT THE SEALS WERE "OLD" AND THEY NEEDED TO CHANGE THEM. FOR THE REAR ONES THEY CHARGED ME $128 TO GET THEM REPLACE. THEN THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME AROUND $800 TO REPLACE THE FRONT ONES. I COMPLAINT…

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AFTER GETTING 4 INCHES OF WATER IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR AND 2 INCHES AT FRONT, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPORTED THAT THE SEALS WERE "OLD" AND THEY NEEDED TO CHANGE THEM. FOR THE REAR ONES THEY CHARGED ME $128 TO GET THEM REPLACE. THEN THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME AROUND $800 TO REPLACE THE FRONT ONES. I COMPLAINT AND ASKED THEM TO CONTACT THE REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER OF HONDA TO HAVE HONDA COVER THE REPAIR SINCE IT WAS SUCH A WEIRD SITUATION. SEALS DON'T GET OLD IN A 4 YEAR OLD CAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #742338

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2000
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR CANNOT MANUALLY OR BY USING THE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS TO BE OPENED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY WANTED TO REPLACED EVERYTHING.*AK THE DEALER HAS FIXED THE DOOR. *YH

NHTSA ODI #870678

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2000
Structure

RIGHT SIDE OF TRUNK LEAKS ,CAUSING THE OWNER TO PUT EVERYTHING IN THE BACK SEAT INSTEAD OF THE TRUNK. POSSIBLE HAZARD IF AN ACCIDENT WERE TO OCCUR AND ITEMS IN BACK SEAT WERE TO FLY FORWARD. *AK

NHTSA ODI #719110

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2000
Structure

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK (IN 5:00 PM RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC) ATTEMPTED TO USE THE SUNVISOR. THE SUNVISOR BROKE OFF AND DEBRIS WAS TEMPORARILY LODGED IN LEFT EYE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #719109

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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