NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
460 reports144,000 miles · Feb 14, 2012
Electrical SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control
ON MY WAY HOME ON I-295 MY CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WAS HARD TO STEER AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP IN THE EMERGENCY LANE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A BAD IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THE PART WAS UNDER RECALL. THE HONDA TECH CALLED M…
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ON MY WAY HOME ON I-295 MY CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WAS HARD TO STEER AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP IN THE EMERGENCY LANE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A BAD IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THE PART WAS UNDER RECALL. THE HONDA TECH CALLED ME YESTERDAY AND TRIED TO TELL ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE FUSE BOX. MY MECHANIC ALREADY KNEW IT WAS THE SWITCH AND HONDA TOLD ME THE SAME THING WHEN I DROPPED THE CAR OFF. IM NOT SURE IF THEY WERE TRYING TO UPSELL ME OR DENY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10447971
69,500 miles · Sep 14, 2011
Power Train
1997 HONDA ACCORD LX, 4-DOOR, 4-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 69,500 MILES, SEPTEMBER 09, 2011. TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IN FOURTH/THIRD GEAR, WITH LITTLE ACCELERATION. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME "ON," WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THE "D4" AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT INDICATOR WAS "BLINKING" ON AND …
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1997 HONDA ACCORD LX, 4-DOOR, 4-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 69,500 MILES, SEPTEMBER 09, 2011. TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IN FOURTH/THIRD GEAR, WITH LITTLE ACCELERATION. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME "ON," WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THE "D4" AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT INDICATOR WAS "BLINKING" ON AND OFF. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO ED VOYLES HONDA, MARIETTA, GEORGIA ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2011, WHERE HONDA TECHNICIAN(S) CHECKED DIAGNOSTIC CODE(S) FOR "ECM." HONDA TECHNICIAN(S) STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, WITH ONLY 69,500 MILES HAD COMPLETELY FAILED AND REQUIRED A NEW AND/OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION, DESPITE ALL PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE HAVING BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. REPLACEMENT COST EXPECTED TO BE $2,400.00 FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION, OR $5,500.00 FOR A NEW OEM HONDA REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. ACCORDING TO HONDA SERVICE ADVISOR, HONDA HAS HAD PREVIOUS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURES INVOLVING THIS MODEL AND YEAR. HOWEVER, NO MENTION OF ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY BY HONDA WAS MENTIONED, IF ANY. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10425505
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
105,000 miles · Apr 3, 2011
Air Bags
SRS LIGHT HAS BEEN RESET SEVERAL TIMES ON MY 1997 HONDA ACCORD LX.. THERE SEEMS NOT TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS. THIS IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10394097
152,587 miles · Mar 1, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,587. UPDATED 08/24/11 *BF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,587. UPDATED 08/24/11 *BF UPDATED 08/29/11
NHTSA ODI #10386075
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2011
Unknown Or Other
1997 HONDA ACCORD. CONSUMER EXPRESSES DISCONTENT WITH A DISPUTE WITH AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR COMPANY REGARDING A RECALL REPAIR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AMERICAN HONDA INFORMED THEM THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN CANADA. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10380478
180,000 miles · Jan 24, 2011
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD SE (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 45 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STAT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD SE (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 45 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000.
NHTSA ODI #10378497
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
Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
1997 HONDA ACCORD VEHICLE WITH A LEAKING AND CORRODED RADIATOR. CONSUMER STATES THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED IN 2008 AND NOW IT IS LEAKING AGAIN. THERE IS CORROSION ON THE BACK AND FRONT OF THE RADIATOR. *KB THE THERMOSTAT WAS STUCK OPEN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10368977
215,000 miles · Nov 21, 2010
Power Train
HONDA ACCORD 1997, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOOSING GEARS, UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SAFE HIGHWAY SPEED AND ASSOCIATED HIGH RISK MANEUVERS TO EXIT THE DRIVE LANES ONTO A SHOULDER. THIRD INCIDENT, THIRD REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION FOR THE SAME REASON. ALL HAD SUGGESTED MANUFACTURES MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE PERFORMED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10366999
Official recalls
3May 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.
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.
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 ↗