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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

460 reports
80,000 miles · Nov 17, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO GARAGE THE VEHICLE SURGED AND WENT THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR AND WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. T…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING INTO GARAGE THE VEHICLE SURGED AND WENT THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR AND WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION ON THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE DOOR AND PART OF THE HOUSE.*AK UPDATED 12/22/2005. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10143025

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

75,500 miles · Oct 5, 2005
Air Bags

SRS LIGHT ON 1997 HONDA ACCORD COMING ON. DIAGNOSED FOR $85. BATTERY REPLACED. A WEEK LATER IT CAME BACK ON AND STAYED ON. AFTER ANOTHER $85, TOLD THAT SRS SYSTEM IS BAD, AND IT WILL BE $830 TO REPLACE. I SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND LEARN THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART IS UPGRADED. I BOUGHT THE HONDA …

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SRS LIGHT ON 1997 HONDA ACCORD COMING ON. DIAGNOSED FOR $85. BATTERY REPLACED. A WEEK LATER IT CAME BACK ON AND STAYED ON. AFTER ANOTHER $85, TOLD THAT SRS SYSTEM IS BAD, AND IT WILL BE $830 TO REPLACE. I SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND LEARN THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART IS UPGRADED. I BOUGHT THE HONDA BECAUSE OF ITS HIGH RELIABILITY AND WOULD APPRECIATE BEING REFUNDED BY HONDA. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10138723

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

47,112 miles · Sep 28, 2005
Air BagsEquipment

CONSUMER SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND AIR CONDITION WAS LEAKING. *TS THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT. SHE MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD TAKE 7-10 DAYS FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE. WHEN THE AC LEAKED THE CARPET, FRONT AND REAR, BECAME SOAKED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10138844

47,000 miles · Aug 1, 2005
Air Bags

DT: THE SRS AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE FAILED, HOWEVER, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN EARLY FEBRUARY 2005. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER DIAGNOSED IT AS A DEFECTIVE CONTROL MODULE. CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. NO REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IT WOULD COST $800. *AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #10127024

153,307 miles · May 6, 2005
Tires

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE RODE ROUGHLY AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT TIRES WERE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC NOTICED THAT ALL 4 TIRES SEPARATED, BULGED, AND BROKE RADIAL BELTS. ON THE LEFT FRONT, THE RADIAL BELT WAS PUSHING THROUGH AND COULD BE SEEN. HAD THE TIRE…

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WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE RODE ROUGHLY AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT TIRES WERE CAUSING THE PROBLEM. MECHANIC NOTICED THAT ALL 4 TIRES SEPARATED, BULGED, AND BROKE RADIAL BELTS. ON THE LEFT FRONT, THE RADIAL BELT WAS PUSHING THROUGH AND COULD BE SEEN. HAD THE TIRES REPLACED. TIRE SIZE 185/65R15, AND DOT # HHNXDXCX2600; DOT HHNXDXCX3000; DOT HHNXDXCX4400. *AK THIS PROBLEM WAS ALSO REPORTED TO MICHELIN. *BF *NM

NHTSA ODI #10118948

97,132 miles · Apr 14, 2005
Air BagsInjury

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TYPE OF COLLISION, DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING IN THE ROAD. HOWEVER, CONSUMER SUSTAINED KNEE, NECK, AND BACK INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10118878

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2005
Structure

FAULTY PAINT, CLEAR COAT COMING OFF THEREFORE LEADING TO SPOTS WITH FADING PAINT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10117875

85,000 miles · Apr 9, 2005
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACING @ 85,000 MILES. ALL MILEAGE SERVICES AS NOTED IN MANUAL HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED. HONDA DEALER HAS DONE A MULTIPLE FLUSHING SERVICE -- PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116680

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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