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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.

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

What owners actually said

373 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2004
Visibility

I OWN A 1997 HONDA CIVIC DX COUPE AND FEW WEEKS AGO THE DRIVER WINDOW COLLAPSED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY. THE ONLY WARNING WAS FEW DAYS BEFORE THAT THE HANDLE WAS SLIGHTLY HARDER THEN USUAL. I GOT REALLY SCARED AND ALMOST CRASHED HEARING THIS LOUD NOISE AND NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS HAPPENING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10075157

105,000 miles · May 23, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

ON SATURDAY, MAY 8TH 2004, WHEN I WAS COMING HOME FROM MY COLLEGE GRADUATION, I SLIGHTLY ACCELERATED IN MY 1997 HONDA CIVIC EX FROM 25 TO 35 MPH ON 26TH STREET IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN AROUND 5:30 MPH. FOR SOME UNSEEN, ODD AND POSSESSIVE REASON, MY GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE TO 65 MPH ON A 30 MPH ROAD. NO…

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ON SATURDAY, MAY 8TH 2004, WHEN I WAS COMING HOME FROM MY COLLEGE GRADUATION, I SLIGHTLY ACCELERATED IN MY 1997 HONDA CIVIC EX FROM 25 TO 35 MPH ON 26TH STREET IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN AROUND 5:30 MPH. FOR SOME UNSEEN, ODD AND POSSESSIVE REASON, MY GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE TO 65 MPH ON A 30 MPH ROAD. NORMALLY IVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FAN OF HONDA AUTOMOBILES AND PRODUCTS. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAVE A CLEAN DRIVING RECORD. THANK GOD THERE WASN'T ANY TRAFFIC, BECAUSE FOR 6 BLOCKS I'VE NEVER BEEN SO SCARED IN MY LIFE. WHILE I WAS DRIVING, MY CAR WAS RED LINING (BECAUSE OF THE BLOWN SPEED SENSOR OR THROTTLE GAUGE ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT FIXED MY VEHICLE), IT CAUSED ME TO QUESTION WHY I DRIVE. AS I CAME ACROSS A FAIRLY BUSY ROAD, I TRIED TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN BY PRESSING AS HARD AS POSSIBLE ON THE BRAKE AND PUTTING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL (WHICH DID SLOW THE CAR DOWN SLIGHTLY), BUT ONLY TO 10-15MPH. I WAS THEN FORCED WITH HITTING AND POSSIBLY INJURING/KILLING PEOPLE ON THE FORTHCOMING STREET IN MINNEAPOLIS (26TH AND HENNEPIN), BUT INSTEAD WAS ABLE TO USE A DUMPSTER IN A PRE-EXISTING ALLEYWAY AS A BUFFER TO SLOW MY CAR DOWN TO A SAFE SPEED WHERE I COULD PULL THE E-BRAKE, PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND THEN TURN THE CAR OFF. I DO HAVE INSURANCE AND WASN'T INJURED, BUT I WILL NEED A NEW BUMPER, FRONT BUMPER SIDE SKIRT AND NEW RIM/TIRE TOTALING OVER $2000. I'M TRYING TO FIND IF ANYONE KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM OR OF ANY POSSIBLE RECALLS/DEFECTS? AS THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS ERROR AS PER THE COMPANY WHO FIXED MY HONDA (TOWN AND COUNTRY DODGE IN HOPKINS, MN), I AM VERY NERVOUS ABOUT PURCHASING OTHER HONDA AUTOMOBILES  AS IS MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT I HAVE SPOKEN WITH. MY CIVIC WAS KEPT IN FLAWLESS CONDITION, WAS GIVEN ALL MECHANICAL UPDATES BASED ON SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE (AS REQUIRED BY HONDA) AND HAS CURRENTLY HAS A YOUTHFUL 105,000 MILES. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10073031

88,000 miles · May 12, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY POWER WINDOWS IN MY 1997 HONDA CIVIC EX. THE WINDOWN WILL ONLY GO BACK UP HALFWAY AND GETS OFF TRACK, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. I FINALLY PLACED THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND IT WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN GOT OFF TRACK AGAIN. I AM SIGNLE FEMALE AND HAVE TO PAY EVERYTIME TO GE…

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I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY POWER WINDOWS IN MY 1997 HONDA CIVIC EX. THE WINDOWN WILL ONLY GO BACK UP HALFWAY AND GETS OFF TRACK, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES. I FINALLY PLACED THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND IT WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN GOT OFF TRACK AGAIN. I AM SIGNLE FEMALE AND HAVE TO PAY EVERYTIME TO GET IT BACK ON TRACK. I HAVE SPENT ABOUT $200.00 ON GETTING IT LOOKED AT, PUT BACK TOGETHER BECAUSE I DO A LOT OF TRAVEL WITH MY JOB. I KNOW TWO OTHER PEOPLE (MODELS 2003 & 1997) WHO HAVE SIMIALR PROBLEMS. A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS A MAL-FUNCTION. I LOVE MY HONDA AND MECHANICALLY IT HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR EXCEPT FOR BACK TIRES LOCKING UP THIS PAST WINTER BUT I THINK THAT WAS DUE TO COLD WEATHER. I PLAN TO PURCHASE ANOTHER HONDA BUT MY WINDOW IS AN AGGRAVATION. I KNOW SO MANY WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND WAS WONDERING IF HONDA HAS INITIATED A RECALL PROCESS OR IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER RECALLS ON THAT CAR/MODEL. THANKS-LENA

NHTSA ODI #10072481

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2004
Power Train

AFTER THE R & R MAIN SHAFT WAS REPLACED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. *PH MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT THE R & R MAIN SHAFT CAM SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SENSOR FAILED THREE MORE TIMES AFTER IT WAS INI…

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AFTER THE R & R MAIN SHAFT WAS REPLACED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. *PH MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT THE R & R MAIN SHAFT CAM SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SENSOR FAILED THREE MORE TIMES AFTER IT WAS INITIALLY REPLACED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE OEM DRUM HAD A CRACK IN IT AND THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE SENSOR TO FAIL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10071541

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2004
Air Bags

HONDA CIVIC EX - SRS LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON.

NHTSA ODI #10066042

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2004
Air Bags

THE SRS LIGHT KEEPS ON! CHECKED 1 TIME AND GOT CLEARED OFF BY HONDA DEALER. 10 TEN DAYS LATER, THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. CHECK IT AGAIN AND LIGHT AGAIN? 70 BUCKS FOR CHECKING EVERY TIME. WHAT IS A JUCK! NOW I DROVE WITHOUT THE AIR BAG WORKING!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10064356

105,000 miles · Mar 11, 2004
Air Bags

VEHICLE HAS A SUBTLE LIGHT THAT WILL NOT GO OFF. IT'S AN INDICATION THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. *AK *LA

NHTSA ODI #10055434

Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2004
Air Bags

AIR BAG INDICATIOR KEPT ON ALL THE TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10060908

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING HIT A DEER, RAN OFF A SIX FOOT EMBANKMENT, AND HIT TWO BRICK WALLS. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL THE END OF THE CRASH. DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE CHEST AND KNEE, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10061488

62,532 miles · Mar 3, 2004
Air Bags

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. *PH THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG HAD APPARENTLY DEPLOYED PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD THE CONSUMER TO CONTACT NHTSA TO OBTAIN PERMISSION TO HAVE THE AIR BAGS TURNED OFF. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10061797

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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