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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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92,190 miles · Jan 3, 2005
Power TrainSuspension

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL CAME OFF. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED, AND THE AXLE CRACKED. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE BALL JOINT NHTSA RECALL 99V069000. *AK....AS ARESULT, OF BROKEN LOWER BALL JOINT R…

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CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL CAME OFF. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEPARATED, AND THE AXLE CRACKED. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE BALL JOINT NHTSA RECALL 99V069000. *AK....AS ARESULT, OF BROKEN LOWER BALL JOINT RIGHT FRONT WHEEL DETACHED AND WAS LODGED UNDENEATH THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT END WAS ON THE GROUND, AND FLUID WAS LEAKING ALL OVER THE ROAD. CONSUMER CALLED AAA AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED T A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN RIGHT SIDE LOWER BALL JOINT. HOWEVER, IT WAS OBVIOUS TO THE MECHANIC THAT THIS WAS NOT A TYPICAL PROBLEN, AND WAS NOT THE RESULT OF NAURAL WEAR. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVIC EBULLETIN WHICH APPLIED TO THIS VEHICLE. MECHANIC REPLACED LOWER BALL JOINT AND CRACKED AXLE. IN ADDITION, HAD THE BALL JOINT ON THE OTHER SIDE REPLACED, EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMED TO BE TIGHT, AS A PRECAUTION SO THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10106653

58,987 miles · Dec 2, 2003
Suspension

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED SEVERELY. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NORMAL. *JB THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD HER THE PROBLEM WAS THE ROTORS, HOWEVER AFTER THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE DEALER STATED THE VIBRATION WAS NORMAL AND TO JUST GET A ALIGNMENT. *JB …

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WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED SEVERELY. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NORMAL. *JB THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD HER THE PROBLEM WAS THE ROTORS, HOWEVER AFTER THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE DEALER STATED THE VIBRATION WAS NORMAL AND TO JUST GET A ALIGNMENT. *JB *NM

NHTSA ODI #10044712

55,000 miles · Sep 24, 2003
Suspension

SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS DURING COLD WEATHER. REPLACED SWAY BAR BUSHINGS BUT PROBLEM HAS NOT GONE AWAY. HAVE FOUND OUT AFTER TALKING TO HONDA TECHNICIAN THAT THE STRUTS IN THE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS ARE WORN. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ACCORDING TO TECHNICIAN FROM HONDA. VERY ANNOYING PROBLEM THAT HONDA KNOWS ABOUT AN…

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SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS DURING COLD WEATHER. REPLACED SWAY BAR BUSHINGS BUT PROBLEM HAS NOT GONE AWAY. HAVE FOUND OUT AFTER TALKING TO HONDA TECHNICIAN THAT THE STRUTS IN THE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS ARE WORN. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ACCORDING TO TECHNICIAN FROM HONDA. VERY ANNOYING PROBLEM THAT HONDA KNOWS ABOUT AND WILL NOT FIX.

NHTSA ODI #10039508

107,000 miles · Jun 27, 2003
Suspension

THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB *TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10020262

65,000 miles · May 14, 2003
Suspension

THERE IS A RECALL FOR A 97 HONDA ACCORD THAT MATCHES THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. I CONTACTED HONDA MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND AND SAID THAT MY VIN DOES NOT MATCH ANY RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO WANTED TO KNOW THE BUILD DATE OF MY VEHICLE, YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD KNOW THAT SINCE THEY BUILT IT, NO INFOR…

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THERE IS A RECALL FOR A 97 HONDA ACCORD THAT MATCHES THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. I CONTACTED HONDA MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY GAVE ME THE RUN AROUND AND SAID THAT MY VIN DOES NOT MATCH ANY RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO WANTED TO KNOW THE BUILD DATE OF MY VEHICLE, YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD KNOW THAT SINCE THEY BUILT IT, NO INFORMATION WAS GIVEN, THEY DON'T KNOW. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #99V069000. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018673

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2003
Suspension

THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS THE VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED A "POPPING SOUND" ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING A CORNER FROM THE FRONT END. THE OWNER WAS TOLD …

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THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS THE VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED A "POPPING SOUND" ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING A CORNER FROM THE FRONT END. THE OWNER WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE STRUTS WERE FAILING. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10017709

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2002
Suspension

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM ON HER VEHICLE WHICH IT HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE AND NOW SHE IS EXPIRIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND HAS STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ALREADY REPLACED THEREFORE THEY WON'T WORK ON THE VEHICLE AGAIN. TS

NHTSA ODI #8021994

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2002
SuspensionTires

WHILE DRIVING FRONT END BECOMES ERRATIC WITH MOVEMENT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, ALSO, VIBRATES IN THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. DEALER STATED STATED THAT PROBLEM WERE HANKOOK TIRES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8018463

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2002
Suspension

VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM REOCCURRING. *AK DEALER PERFORMED ALIGNMENT AND CONSUMER EVEN TRIED DIFFERENT TIRES, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *TT

NHTSA ODI #8009414

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2001
Exterior LightingSteeringSuspensionCrash

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE 2000. AS CERTIFIED VEHICLE FROM DEALERSHIP,, CERTIFIED FOR SAFETY INSPECTIONS 150 POINT? I NOTICED WHEN TEST DRIVING VEHICLE. FRONT OF VEHICLE HAD SEVERE VIBRATION, I NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE LOW ON AIR PRESSURE. PROBLEM CONTINUED, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIME TO RESOLVE THE MATT…

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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JUNE 2000. AS CERTIFIED VEHICLE FROM DEALERSHIP,, CERTIFIED FOR SAFETY INSPECTIONS 150 POINT? I NOTICED WHEN TEST DRIVING VEHICLE. FRONT OF VEHICLE HAD SEVERE VIBRATION, I NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE LOW ON AIR PRESSURE. PROBLEM CONTINUED, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIME TO RESOLVE THE MATTER. AT THE TIME OF SALE THE INSPECTION WAS TO BE FINAL. I LATER FOUND OUT THE INSPECTION WAS NEVER COMPLETED PROPERLY, THER ARE TWO ACTIVE TITLES CURRENTLY ON VEHICLE, OHIO AND CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA IS NOW SALVAGED TITLE AS OF 2/04/2001. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIME REGARDING THE FINDINGS ON THE BUMPER COVER THAT HAD MEDICAL TAPE HOLDING THE SIDE SECURE FASTNERS TOGETHER. AND BUMPER COVER OUT OF ALLIGNMENT. RADIATOR SUPPORT HAD BEEN BUCKLED AND NOT REPAIRED CORRECTLY, PRIMER ON THE INSIDE OF RIGHT FRONT HOOD, HEAD L IGHT ASSEMBLY UNIT NOT COMPLETE AND OUT OF ALLIGNMENT, UNEVEN TIRE WEAR, NO OWNERS MANUAL, TIRES SWITCHED AT TIME ALLIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED BY DEALERSHIP, DEALERSHIP RENTED VEHICLE FOR 10 DAYS., DEALERSHIP REPRESENTED PREFERRED BODY SHOP AMERICAN AUTOBODY AND PAINT AS BOAR OFFICIAL THAT WAS MISREPRESENTATION, CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA AS WELL AS HONDA CARE REGARDING THIS VEHICLE AND DEALERSHIP? I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP WHAT THE CERTIFICATION APPLIED TO? IT WAS TO BE WARRANTIED JUST LIKE A NEW VEHICLE..VEHICLE WARRANTY DOCS WERE INCOMPLETE AND NOT VOLUNTARILY SUBMITTED? DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEE PUSHED HUSBAND AGAINST WALL? NO OWNERS MANUAL? MICHELLON WARRANTY CAME WITH VEHICLE DOCS. BUT AT TIME OF ALLIGNMENT FEDERAL TIRES WERE REPLACED WITHOUT WARRANTY? I WAS TOLD THE NEW TIRES WERE MAGICAL? I TOTALLED THE VEHICLE AND LATER FOUND ON CCC REPORT FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY, THAT VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUS DAMAGE DONE.. AND ALL THE ABOVE PROBLEM PERTAINING TO PREVIOUS DAMAGE?*AK

NHTSA ODI #746278

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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