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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
15,000 miles · Aug 18, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ODI #10625949

88,000 miles · Jul 12, 2014
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING UPHILL IN THE MOUNTAINS OF NC ON I-26, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, TRANSMISSION SLIPPING OF MY 97 HONDA ACCORD WITH 88,000 ORIGINAL MILES, CAUSED TRAFFIC TO BACK-UP BEHIND ME IN THE RAIN. WAS FINALLY ABLE TO REMOVE FROM FREEWAY OUT OF DANGER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610049

192,000 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Equipment Adaptive/mobilityFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 2+ WINTERS ON MY CAR. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK ON A COLD WINTER NIGHT. I GOT THE FREEWAY AND ACCELERATED TO 55 MPH. I THEN SET THE CRUISE CONTROL (AS I NORMALLY DO IN LIGHT TRAFFIC). I NOTICED THAT THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING A LOT MORE THAN IT SHOULD.…

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I HAVE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 2+ WINTERS ON MY CAR. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK ON A COLD WINTER NIGHT. I GOT THE FREEWAY AND ACCELERATED TO 55 MPH. I THEN SET THE CRUISE CONTROL (AS I NORMALLY DO IN LIGHT TRAFFIC). I NOTICED THAT THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING A LOT MORE THAN IT SHOULD. I LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICED THAT I WAS DOING 70 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I CONTINUED TO NOTICE THIS ISSUE ALL WINTER. I SET THE CRUISE AT 40 MPH AND NOTICED THAT IT WENT UP BY ABOUT 20 MPH ABOVE THE SETTING BEFORE IT FINALLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AND SETTLED BACK TO THE CRUISE SET SPEED (OR CLOSE TO IT). IN THE WARM WEATHER THIS PROBLEM DISAPPEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578369

180,000 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Electrical System

I NOTICED THE PROBLEM ONCE JUST BY ACCIDENT. I WAS STOPPED AT A GROCERY PARKING LOT WITH A SLIGHT SLOPE. I WAS IN A RUSH AND I TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND AS I WAS GETTING OUT OF THE DOOR, THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL. I REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE BUT THE KEY HAD COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. I THOUGHT THIS IS VERY …

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I NOTICED THE PROBLEM ONCE JUST BY ACCIDENT. I WAS STOPPED AT A GROCERY PARKING LOT WITH A SLIGHT SLOPE. I WAS IN A RUSH AND I TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND AS I WAS GETTING OUT OF THE DOOR, THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL. I REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE BUT THE KEY HAD COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. I THOUGHT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SO I AM REPORTING THIS ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578367

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564179

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 · Jul 5, 2013
Air Bags

THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING AN AIRBAG PROBLEM WITH MY HONDA ACCORD AT APPROX. 130,000 MILES. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $90 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WITH A 8-5 INTERNAL FAILURE CODE. DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE SRS UNIT AT A COST TO ME OF $1100. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE HONDA CORPORATION AS …

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THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING AN AIRBAG PROBLEM WITH MY HONDA ACCORD AT APPROX. 130,000 MILES. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $90 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WITH A 8-5 INTERNAL FAILURE CODE. DEALER WANTS TO REPLACE SRS UNIT AT A COST TO ME OF $1100. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE HONDA CORPORATION AS A RECALL AS THEY HAVE COURAGEOUSLY DONE FOR THE HONDA CIVIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523359

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2013
Engine

1997 HONDA ACCORD. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RE-BUILT MOTOR FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RE-BUILT MOTOR HE PURCHASED, STARTED KNOCKING AND THEN FAILED. THE ESTABLISHMENT WHERE HE PURCHASED THE MOTOR FROM, OFFERED HIM $4,000, WHEN HE PAID $6,000. THEY REFUSED TO FIX OR REPLACE THE MOTOR. UPDATED 06/24/1…

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1997 HONDA ACCORD. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RE-BUILT MOTOR FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RE-BUILT MOTOR HE PURCHASED, STARTED KNOCKING AND THEN FAILED. THE ESTABLISHMENT WHERE HE PURCHASED THE MOTOR FROM, OFFERED HIM $4,000, WHEN HE PAID $6,000. THEY REFUSED TO FIX OR REPLACE THE MOTOR. UPDATED 06/24/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UPDATED 10/17/13

NHTSA ODI #10508031

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2013
Electrical System

DUE TO AN INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA HONDA IS RECALLING SOME OF THEIR VEHICLES FOR FAULTY IGNITION INTERLOCKS. MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL BUT DOES HAVE THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THE KEYS WILL COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK. I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF INCIDENCES WHERE MY CAR HAS ROLLED AWAY BUT I'VE BEE…

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DUE TO AN INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA HONDA IS RECALLING SOME OF THEIR VEHICLES FOR FAULTY IGNITION INTERLOCKS. MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL BUT DOES HAVE THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THE KEYS WILL COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK. I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF INCIDENCES WHERE MY CAR HAS ROLLED AWAY BUT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET IN AND STOP IT BEFORE IT HAS STRUCK ANYTHING. THIS IS DANGEROUS. I HAVE TALKED TO HONDA BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX THE IGNITION INTERLOCK IN MY CAR SINCE IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I FEEL THAT SINCE THEY ARE RECALLING SOME MODELS FOR THIS SAFETY CONCERN THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION INTERLOCK MY VEHICLE AS WELL. IS THERE ANYTHING NHTSA CAN DO TO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497730

80,000 miles · Jan 8, 2013
Electrical System

ENGINE JUST TURNS OFF. I AM ABLE TO RESTART IT IMMEDIATELY BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL. THIS HAPPENS 2-3 TIMES IN A WEEK AND THEN IT STOPS OCCURRING FOR A COUPLE WEEKS AND THE REPEATS THE CYCLE. NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. THE LOCAL DEALER SAYS THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD THE "RECALL COMPLETED". MY QUESTION …

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ENGINE JUST TURNS OFF. I AM ABLE TO RESTART IT IMMEDIATELY BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL. THIS HAPPENS 2-3 TIMES IN A WEEK AND THEN IT STOPS OCCURRING FOR A COUPLE WEEKS AND THE REPEATS THE CYCLE. NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. THE LOCAL DEALER SAYS THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD THE "RECALL COMPLETED". MY QUESTION IS WHAT IS MY RECOURSE IF THE PROBLEM IS STILL HAPPENING EVEN AFTER THE RECALL HAS BEEN COMPLETED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10491791

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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