Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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 · Apr 6, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
1997 HONDA CIVIC, UNIT 1 WAS DRIVING UP TO LANE 5 EXIT 151 ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. UNIT 1 WAS APPROACHING THE TOLL BOOTH WHEN THE BRAKES ON THE CAR FAILED. UNIT 1 STEERED INTO AND STRUCK THE CRASH BARRIER BETWEEN THE LANES. THIS ACTION WAS DONE TO PREVENT STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE BR…
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1997 HONDA CIVIC, UNIT 1 WAS DRIVING UP TO LANE 5 EXIT 151 ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. UNIT 1 WAS APPROACHING THE TOLL BOOTH WHEN THE BRAKES ON THE CAR FAILED. UNIT 1 STEERED INTO AND STRUCK THE CRASH BARRIER BETWEEN THE LANES. THIS ACTION WAS DONE TO PREVENT STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0098-90)*JB UPDATED 04/22/11 *BF UPDATED 06/17/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE DOES NOT OWN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS A DEALER VEHICLE BEING TRANSPORTED TO AN AUCTION. UPDATED 09/19/11
NHTSA ODI #10395089
199,000 miles · Aug 25, 2010
Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC WITH A SET OF BF GOODRICH TOURING T/A TIRES, LINE SIZE P185/65/R14. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS FLAT AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL FRACTURES ALONG THE INNER SIDEWALL. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC WITH A SET OF BF GOODRICH TOURING T/A TIRES, LINE SIZE P185/65/R14. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS FLAT AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL FRACTURES ALONG THE INNER SIDEWALL. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRES WAS 49,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,000.
NHTSA ODI #10351721
85,000 miles · Aug 10, 2010
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION THE ENGINE REMAINED ON. THE CONTACT HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPAIRED FOUR YEARS AGO FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION IT WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS IF THE EMERGENCY BREAK WAS NOT ON. THE MANUFAC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION THE ENGINE REMAINED ON. THE CONTACT HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPAIRED FOUR YEARS AGO FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION IT WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS IF THE EMERGENCY BREAK WAS NOT ON. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE 1999 THROUGH 2004 HONDA CIVIC NOT HER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134000.
NHTSA ODI #10348552
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2010
Air Bags
SRS LIGHT ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343135
137,000 miles · Jun 16, 2010
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE TURNED ON, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAG SHATTERED THE PASSENGER SIDE GLASS WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY AND THERE WERE NO F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE TURNED ON, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAG SHATTERED THE PASSENGER SIDE GLASS WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY AND THERE WERE NO FAILURE FOUND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 137,000.
NHTSA ODI #10336667
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311157
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2010
Electrical System
I HAVE A 97 CIVIC DX AND SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WILL TURN OFF AND IS TO HARD TO CONTROL THE WHEELS, WHEN TURNS OFF THERE IS NO ENGINE LIGHTS & THE CAR DIES TOTALLY AND I TRY TO TURN THE CAR ON BUT IT WONT START I NEED TO WAIT FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES THEN I CAN TURN THE CAR AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH IN T…
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I HAVE A 97 CIVIC DX AND SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WILL TURN OFF AND IS TO HARD TO CONTROL THE WHEELS, WHEN TURNS OFF THERE IS NO ENGINE LIGHTS & THE CAR DIES TOTALLY AND I TRY TO TURN THE CAR ON BUT IT WONT START I NEED TO WAIT FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES THEN I CAN TURN THE CAR AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH IN THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS TO POSSIBLE COULD BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10308254
146,000 miles · Dec 29, 2009
Tires
I HAD A BLOWOUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO A FAILED VALVE STEM IN MY REAR LEFT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS RUINED BY RIDING ON THE RIM TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297336
77,400 miles · Aug 19, 2009
Air Bags
THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON MY 1997 HONDA CIVIC (ABOUT 78,000 MILES) WHILE DRIVING AND STAYS LIT. THE DEALERSHIP (MATHEWS HONDA 8-19-09) SAYS THE SRS UNIT HAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE. $762 PLUS TAX TO REPAIR. AFTER REVIEW IT APPEARS THERE ARE MANY EXPERIENCING THIS SAME FAILURE SO I FELT IT NECESSARY TO REPORT THE ISSUE TO YOU. THANK YOU…
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THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON MY 1997 HONDA CIVIC (ABOUT 78,000 MILES) WHILE DRIVING AND STAYS LIT. THE DEALERSHIP (MATHEWS HONDA 8-19-09) SAYS THE SRS UNIT HAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE. $762 PLUS TAX TO REPAIR. AFTER REVIEW IT APPEARS THERE ARE MANY EXPERIENCING THIS SAME FAILURE SO I FELT IT NECESSARY TO REPORT THE ISSUE TO YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10280985
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2009
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE JUST QUITS. THERE IS NO STUTTERING, STALLING, OR ENGINE MISFIRES, IT QUIETLY JUST QUITS. THE RADIO, HEATER FAN, BRAKE LIGHTS STILL WORK BUT NOT THE SIGNAL LIGHTS. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM STARTED 1-2X A MONTH AND OVER A PERIOD OF 7 MONTHS HAS NOW BECOME AN E…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE JUST QUITS. THERE IS NO STUTTERING, STALLING, OR ENGINE MISFIRES, IT QUIETLY JUST QUITS. THE RADIO, HEATER FAN, BRAKE LIGHTS STILL WORK BUT NOT THE SIGNAL LIGHTS. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM STARTED 1-2X A MONTH AND OVER A PERIOD OF 7 MONTHS HAS NOW BECOME AN EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE. *TR
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.
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
Illustration