IllustrationPROBLEM WITH THE DRAIN PLUG ON THE OIL PAN BEING STRIPPED WHEN OIL CHANGED. *AK
1997 Honda Civic
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Civic years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Honda Civic are substantially higher than the model-year median of 183.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Civic years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 93 of 373 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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 140 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
67 crash reports2 fire reports42 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
25 reportsWITHOUT WARNING MUFFLER RUSTED OUT, DROPPED DOWN AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE PAVEMENT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN KEPT IN A GARAGE FOR 2 YEARS AND IN A CARPORT FOR 3 YEARS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING, PIPES FROM CATALYTIC CONVERTER FELL OFF, CONSUMER STATES MUFFLER NOW NEEDS REPLACED. FIRESTONE TIRES SIZE 14, DOT NUMBER WZ7JMNB466, REPLACED UNDER 20000 MILES. *SLC
ENGINE CRANKSHAFT/PULLEY SNAPPED, CAUSING DAMAGES TO ENGINE. *AK THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER AGREED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE BLOCK AT THEIR EXPENSE. *YH
THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THE HONDA CIVIC. THE COST OF REPAIR WILL BE OVER $600.00 PROVIDED THAT THIS DID NOT DAMAGE THE OXYGEN SENSOR. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEN THE COST…
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THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THE HONDA CIVIC. THE COST OF REPAIR WILL BE OVER $600.00 PROVIDED THAT THIS DID NOT DAMAGE THE OXYGEN SENSOR. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEN THE COST WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL $100.00 TO $200.00 MORE. GIVEN THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURENCE, I FELT THAT IT MAY WARRANT FURTHER REPORTING TO YOUR ORGANIZATION.*AK
AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING 2.5 HOURS, SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER HOOD AND CAR MISFIRED REPEATEDLY. AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM NON-FUNCTIONAL; HALL HONDA ATTRIBUTES TO COOLING FAN FAILURE BUT IS RELUCTANT TO REPAIR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY CLAIMING PROBLEM IS RELATED TO PREVIOUS ACCIDENT DAMAGE THREE YEARS AGO ALTHOUGH ANOTHER MANAGER FROM…
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AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING 2.5 HOURS, SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER HOOD AND CAR MISFIRED REPEATEDLY. AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM NON-FUNCTIONAL; HALL HONDA ATTRIBUTES TO COOLING FAN FAILURE BUT IS RELUCTANT TO REPAIR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY CLAIMING PROBLEM IS RELATED TO PREVIOUS ACCIDENT DAMAGE THREE YEARS AGO ALTHOUGH ANOTHER MANAGER FROM SAME DEALERSHIP DISAGREES. *AK
WHILE MAKING A TURN PIN THAT HOLDS THE PULLEY FELL OFF, CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.*AK
APPARENT CRANKSHAFT/PULLEY BAD. UPON REMOVING PULLEY, BOLT, KEY AND CRANKSHAFT FOUND WORN, STRIPPED AND CHEWED UP. ALSO POSSIBLE TIMING GEAR PROBLEM.
EMISSIONS CONTROL UNIT FAILED IN JULY 1999. UNIT IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE ON BOARD DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM (OBD). HONDA DEALER NOTED PROBLEM IN JULY 1999, AFTER I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR TESTING, BECAUSE THE "ENGINE PROBLEM" LIGHT STAYED ON FOR A FEW DAYS. DEALER CLAIMS TO HAVE ORDERED PART, WHICH IS ON BACK ORDER. HAVE BEEN TRYIN…
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EMISSIONS CONTROL UNIT FAILED IN JULY 1999. UNIT IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE ON BOARD DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM (OBD). HONDA DEALER NOTED PROBLEM IN JULY 1999, AFTER I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR TESTING, BECAUSE THE "ENGINE PROBLEM" LIGHT STAYED ON FOR A FEW DAYS. DEALER CLAIMS TO HAVE ORDERED PART, WHICH IS ON BACK ORDER. HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE MANUFACTURER, AMERICAN HONDA, TO FIND OUT WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. I HAVE NOT MET WITH ANY SUCCESS. DIFFICULT TO GET IN TOUCH WITH SOMEONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. PROMISES TO RETURN MY CALLS ARE NEVER KEPT. CAR DOES NOT DRIVE PROPERLY. IDLES VERY ROUGH...DRIVES SLUGGISH. CAN YOU HELP??
IGNITER PROBLEM, VEHICLE IS ISSUED EMISSION WARRANTY EXTENSION DUE TO PROBLEM. YH
Official recalls
220V026000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Jan 17, 2020
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.
97V193000 · Air Bags:frontal
Nov 1, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED. THE CLOTH FLAPS COVERING THE FOLDED AIR BAG MAY HAVE BEEN TUCKED IN TOO FAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. IN A CRASH, AN IMPROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG MODULE TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING.
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
1SQ98012 · Condenser Fan Motor Inoperative
Opened Jun 30, 1998 · Closed Nov 2, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner
SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.