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1997 Honda Accord

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Honda Accord do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 356.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

128 reports with mileage · 332 unknown

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 113 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 96 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

42 crash reports10 fire reports24 injury reports

Suspension complaints

28 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2023
Suspension

SEVERE frame rust where suspension bolts to. Safety hazard.

NHTSA ODI #11516052

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2020
Electrical SystemService BrakesSuspension

I TEST DRIVE 1997 HONDA ACCORD AND YOU HAD TO PUMP THE BREAK PADDLE TO SLOW IT DOWN WITHIN 4 BLOCK RADIUS WHEN RETURNING THE GARAGE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING THIS WAS LAST WEEK THIS MONTH JUNE 2020. THEY SELLING THE FOR $1600. THE BLUE BOOK SHOW IT WORTH $800. TO 1200. THIS VEHICLE SERIOUS ME…

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I TEST DRIVE 1997 HONDA ACCORD AND YOU HAD TO PUMP THE BREAK PADDLE TO SLOW IT DOWN WITHIN 4 BLOCK RADIUS WHEN RETURNING THE GARAGE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING THIS WAS LAST WEEK THIS MONTH JUNE 2020. THEY SELLING THE FOR $1600. THE BLUE BOOK SHOW IT WORTH $800. TO 1200. THIS VEHICLE SERIOUS MECHANICAL ISSU

NHTSA ODI #11328759

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2013
Suspension

I'M THE OWNER OF 1997 HONDA ACCORD LX.RECENTLY, I HAVE CHECKED SAFERCARS.GOV WEBSITE TO SEE IF MY CAR HAS ANY OUTSTANDING RECALLS PENDING. YET,I HAVE FOUND ONE SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT. FOR VEHICLES YEAR 1997-1998 HONDA ACCORD'S. I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA ON 09 DEC 13 AT WHICH TIME I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VIN D…

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I'M THE OWNER OF 1997 HONDA ACCORD LX.RECENTLY, I HAVE CHECKED SAFERCARS.GOV WEBSITE TO SEE IF MY CAR HAS ANY OUTSTANDING RECALLS PENDING. YET,I HAVE FOUND ONE SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT. FOR VEHICLES YEAR 1997-1998 HONDA ACCORD'S. I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA ON 09 DEC 13 AT WHICH TIME I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VIN DOES NOT QUALIFY MY VEHICLE FOR A RECALL.I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ,SINCE IT MAY CAUSE SUDDEN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND STEERING CONTROLLABILITY COULD BE ALSO BE AFFECTED. SAFETY IS OUR BIGGEST CONCERN TO ME AND MY FAMILY. PLEASE IF YOU CAN HELP ME RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555358

130,000 miles · May 18, 2012
Suspension

THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED --THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED, BREAKING THE AXLE AND RIM OF FRONT LEFT TIRE AND TURNED THE LEFT TIRE SIDEWAYS. UPON RESEARCHING THE COST OF THE BALL JOINTS ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL DATED 5/10/99 FOR 1997 HONDA ACCORDS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM...MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDE…

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THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED --THE FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED, BREAKING THE AXLE AND RIM OF FRONT LEFT TIRE AND TURNED THE LEFT TIRE SIDEWAYS. UPON RESEARCHING THE COST OF THE BALL JOINTS ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL DATED 5/10/99 FOR 1997 HONDA ACCORDS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM...MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458906

160,000 miles · Jun 5, 2011
Suspension

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT SUMMARY: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE. CONSEQUENCES: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE…

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SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT SUMMARY: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE. CONSEQUENCES: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED. MY CAR VIN IS NOT LISTED UNDER THIS RECALL BUT I JUST HAD AN ESTIMATE TO FIX THOSE EXACT PARTS. THE SWAYBAR BUSHING IS BREAKING ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER BUT I CANNOT AFFORD TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. I AM AFRAID SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN AS I MUST DRIVE OVER 2,300 MILES THIS WEEK. IS THERE ANY WAY TO SEE IF HONDA'S RECALL WILL EXPAND ITS VEHICLES IT COVERS UNDER THIS SAFETY ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10404505

120,000 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOBBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOBBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WAS A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V069000 (COMPONENT: SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10378480

155,000 miles · Nov 4, 2009
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVE SHAFT DISENGAGED BECAUSE THE LEFT BALL JOINTS FAILED. THIS CONDITION CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 99V069000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVE SHAFT DISENGAGED BECAUSE THE LEFT BALL JOINTS FAILED. THIS CONDITION CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 99V069000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10290966

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2005
SuspensionCrashInjury

DT: 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT HAD COMPLETELY BROKE OFF WHILE IN MOTION, AT 30 MPH CAUSING THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE TO GO OFF OF THE ROAD. THIS DAMAGED THE UNDER CARRIAGE, BENT THE RIM AND DAMAGED THE TIRE AND AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE…

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DT: 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT HAD COMPLETELY BROKE OFF WHILE IN MOTION, AT 30 MPH CAUSING THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE TO GO OFF OF THE ROAD. THIS DAMAGED THE UNDER CARRIAGE, BENT THE RIM AND DAMAGED THE TIRE AND AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINTS. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. HONDA STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AS WELL AS NECK AND BACK PAIN. THIS HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 17, 2005. *AK (11/22/05) REFER TO RECALL CAMPAIGN #99V069000. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10140012

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

DT: 1997 HONDA ACCORD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT HONORING EXTENDED WARRANTY. AMERICAN HONDA SENT THE CONSUMER CAMPAIGN I 98-081 FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY. WENT ONLINE FOR A RECALL THAT NHTSA HAD FOR LOWER BALL JOINTS. AMERICAN HONDA RAN CONSUMER'S VIN ON WEBSITE AND THEY SAID THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED,…

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DT: 1997 HONDA ACCORD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT HONORING EXTENDED WARRANTY. AMERICAN HONDA SENT THE CONSUMER CAMPAIGN I 98-081 FOR EXTENDED WARRANTY. WENT ONLINE FOR A RECALL THAT NHTSA HAD FOR LOWER BALL JOINTS. AMERICAN HONDA RAN CONSUMER'S VIN ON WEBSITE AND THEY SAID THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THEY WERE GOING TO REPLACE THE OIL. VEHICLE WOULD BE READY ON TOMORROW BY NOON. THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS CONFIRMED AND THERE WAS NO ISSUE WITH THEM. THE ISSUE WAS FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO HONOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT HONDA ISSUED. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS NOT IN THEIR INTEREST TO LET OTHER CUSTOMERS KNOW ABOUT SAFETY NEEDS. *SC. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10138269

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2005
Electrical SystemSuspension

I HAVE A 1997 HONDA ACCORD, WITH BALL JOINT PROBLEMS. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE BALL JOINT RECALL AND THE AIR CONDITION RECALL ON THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS SOLD TO HER. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE THE BALL JOINT FAILED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10109728

Official recalls

3

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.

99V069000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

May 10, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

98V231000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Sep 22, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN, COUPE AND WAGON PASSENGER VEHICLES EXCEPT THE DX MODEL AND MODELS WITH V6 ENGINES. THE FACTORY INSTALLED AIR CONDITIONER WIRE HARNESS WAS IMPROPERLY ROUTED ALLOWING SOME WIRES TO RUB AGAINST EACH OTHER, EVENTUALLY CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SHORT CIRCUIT CANPOSSIBLY CAUSE THE UNDERHOOD WIREING TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE, CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN ALSO RESULT IN A BLOWN FUSE OR DEAD BATTERY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THESE WIRES. ANY HARNESS IMPROPERLY ROUTED WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND THE ROUTING WILL BE CORRECTED. IF ANY INSULATION IS WORN THROUGH AND THE COPPER WIRES ARE EXPOSED, THE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL PLASTIC TUBING TO PROTECT THE HARNESS.

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.

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