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1997 Honda CR-V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Honda CR-V are lower than the model-year median of 400.5.

About this comparison →
108Owner complaints

Model-year median: 400.5

2Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
108
1997128
1998127
1999129
2000
Compare all CR-V years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
31Air Bags
27Seats
9Tires
9Vehicle Speed Control
9
All reported categories
Engine And Engine Cooling
6Power Train
5Seat Belts
5Steering
4Engine
3Suspension
3Unknown Or Other
3Exterior Lighting
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Visibility/wiper
2Fuel System, Gasoline
1Parking Brake
1Service Brakes
1Structure
1Visibility
1

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: 25 of 108 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Suspension complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
94,000 miles · Sep 21, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A LOUD METAL ON METAL NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT WAS DEFECTIVE AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. IN ADDITIO…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A LOUD METAL ON METAL NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT WAS DEFECTIVE AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT AND DRIVE SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10426584

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2004
SuspensionTires

CAR HAS HAD ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. WHEN YOU TURN SHARP EITHER DIRECTION IT MAKES AN AWFUL WHINING NOISE. WHEN YOU REACH AROUND 60 MPH THE STEERING COLUMN STARTS SHAKING AND YOU CAN FEEL THE CAR SHAKING UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS AND BEING TOLD THAT IT JUST NEEDS AN ALIGNMENT AND HAV…

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CAR HAS HAD ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. WHEN YOU TURN SHARP EITHER DIRECTION IT MAKES AN AWFUL WHINING NOISE. WHEN YOU REACH AROUND 60 MPH THE STEERING COLUMN STARTS SHAKING AND YOU CAN FEEL THE CAR SHAKING UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS AND BEING TOLD THAT IT JUST NEEDS AN ALIGNMENT AND HAVING THIS DONE 3 TIMES THE VEHICLE STILL ISN'T FIXED. ALSO IN JULY OF 2003 ONE OF THE TIRES LOST IT'S TREAD IN ONE GIANT PIECE WICH FLIPPED UP AND SEVERELY DAMAGED THE HATCHBACK, BUMPER AND RUNNING LIGHTS. BRIDGESTONE TIRE. GOING LESS THAN 30 MPH AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. THE INSIDE DOME LIGHT HAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND DOESN'T WORK EXCEPT MAYBE ONE DAY IN 3 YEARS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075089

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 1998
SuspensionCrash

VEHICLE SKIDDED AROUND CORNER & STARTED SWERVING ON DRY ROAD. WENT ACROSS THE LEFT SIDE OF ROAD & PLOWED INTO DIRT & JUMPED UP & FLIPPED OVER ON FENCE POLE & FLIPPED OVER AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #821588

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.

02V120000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

May 16, 2002

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Honda CR-V problems

Honda CR-V electrical problems →Honda CR-V transmission problems →