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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
76,489 miles · Oct 7, 2005
Air BagsInjury

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE ON OCTOBER 2, 2005. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AFTER BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE HE PURCHASED IT. AND THE AIRBAGS DID N…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE ON OCTOBER 2, 2005. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AFTER BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE HE PURCHASED IT. AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OFR THE DEPLOYMENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10139065

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

MY NEWLY ACQUIRED 1997 HONDA CIVIC HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO SMOOTHLY ACCELERATE, THE PEDAL HAS A CHOPPY FEELING AND IS VERY JERKY AT SLOW SPEEDS. WHEN I GO TO PRESS ON THE PEDAL IT WONT MOVE AND THEN WHEN IT DOES MOVE IT MOVES TOO FAR. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL FO…

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MY NEWLY ACQUIRED 1997 HONDA CIVIC HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO SMOOTHLY ACCELERATE, THE PEDAL HAS A CHOPPY FEELING AND IS VERY JERKY AT SLOW SPEEDS. WHEN I GO TO PRESS ON THE PEDAL IT WONT MOVE AND THEN WHEN IT DOES MOVE IT MOVES TOO FAR. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER THE DEALER I TALKED TO AND THE HONDA COMPANY STATED THAT MY CAR DID NOT QUALIFY. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 99I002000. THE PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC, AND I HAVE NEARLY REAR ENDED PEOPLE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. I HOPE THERE IS SOME WAY I CAN GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR SO THE INCIDENT DATE I AM GOING TO PUT IS GENERALLY WHEN WE ACQUIRED THE CAR. THANK YOU. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10138936

116,500 miles · Aug 22, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

A VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99I002000) RELATED TO MY VEHICLE IS POSTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. I HAVE THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THIS RECALL. HOWEVER, BOTH THE HONDA DEALER AND MANUFACTURER SAID THEY DID NOT FIND SUCH A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AND REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE FIX. MY VEHICLE MAKE, M…

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A VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99I002000) RELATED TO MY VEHICLE IS POSTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. I HAVE THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THIS RECALL. HOWEVER, BOTH THE HONDA DEALER AND MANUFACTURER SAID THEY DID NOT FIND SUCH A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AND REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE FIX. MY VEHICLE MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR: MAKE : HONDA MODEL : CIVIC YEAR : 1997 THE POSTED RECALL MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR: MAKE : HONDA MODEL : CIVIC YEAR : 1997 THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER IS 99I002000 I FEEL THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL RECALL POSES A RISK TO MY SAFETY AND I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF NHTSA WOULD ASSIST ME IN GETTING THE ISSUE RESOLVED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA ODI #10133804

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2005
Air Bags

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1997 HONDA CIVIC FROM MY SISTER, WHO DID NOT REALIZE THAT THE SRS LIGHT BEING ON WAS A PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS (SINCE ABOUT 60K MILES). I AM LOOKING INTO HAVING IT REPLACED, BUT ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH, HONDA DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBL…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 1997 HONDA CIVIC FROM MY SISTER, WHO DID NOT REALIZE THAT THE SRS LIGHT BEING ON WAS A PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS (SINCE ABOUT 60K MILES). I AM LOOKING INTO HAVING IT REPLACED, BUT ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH, HONDA DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM INDICATES THAT IT IS A $400+ REPAIR AND THE REPAIR DOES NOT LAST. THEY HAVE BLAMED IT ON A MULTITUDE OF THINGS INCLUDING USING A CELL PHONE, A LOW BATTERY, AND A DEFECTIVE PART. THIS MAKES HONDA VEHICLES UNRELIABLE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, UNSAFE. I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON MANY DIFFERENT MAKES AND MODELS OF HONDA VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10121012

75,000 miles · May 12, 2005
Air Bags

DT: THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK TO DEALER, THEY PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TEST PULLED CODE 22 HIGH RESISTANCE IN PASSENGER AIRBAG. TECH SUGGESTED TO REPLACE PASSENGER AIR BAG AT COST $837.00. THE CONSUMER WENT NHTSA WED SITE AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON 1997 HONDA CIVIC. SPOKE TO MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO TH…

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DT: THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK TO DEALER, THEY PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TEST PULLED CODE 22 HIGH RESISTANCE IN PASSENGER AIRBAG. TECH SUGGESTED TO REPLACE PASSENGER AIR BAG AT COST $837.00. THE CONSUMER WENT NHTSA WED SITE AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON 1997 HONDA CIVIC. SPOKE TO MANUFACTURER, THEY SAID RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO THE VIN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10120763

60,000 miles · Apr 14, 2005
Air BagsElectrical System

1- CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH SRS LIGHT FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW 2- NUMBER OF THINGS DONE TO FIX AND STILL NOT FIXED - THIS IS A COMPLETELY STOCK VEHICLE FROM THE FACTORY- NO MOODS! THE DEALER SAYS WITH THE SRS LIGHT ON THE CAR ABSOLUTELY HAS NO AIRBAGS THAT WILL WORK. 3- CHANGED THE BATTERY, TOOK IT INTO A DEALER AND HE RESET IT…

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1- CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH SRS LIGHT FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW 2- NUMBER OF THINGS DONE TO FIX AND STILL NOT FIXED - THIS IS A COMPLETELY STOCK VEHICLE FROM THE FACTORY- NO MOODS! THE DEALER SAYS WITH THE SRS LIGHT ON THE CAR ABSOLUTELY HAS NO AIRBAGS THAT WILL WORK. 3- CHANGED THE BATTERY, TOOK IT INTO A DEALER AND HE RESET IT, STILL NOT FIXED. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116923

115,000 miles · Apr 14, 2005
Air Bags

SRS LIGHT STAYS ON. AIRBAGS WONT WORK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116905

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2005
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

THE LEFT AND RIGHT AIR BAGS WENT OFF INADVERTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A SEWER DRAINAGE HOLE. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL ON HER OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10115367

103,000 miles · Mar 11, 2005
Air Bags

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING, RENDERING THE AIR BAGS INOPERATIVE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE SRS UNIT FAILED. THE SRS UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *SB

NHTSA ODI #10114973

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

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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