← New search

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 →

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

What owners actually said

373 reports
90,000 miles · Jun 18, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED AND LEAKS. MANIFOLD MAKES NOISE AND EXHAUST GAS CAN BE SMELLED IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS REQUIRING ALL EXHAUST GASES BE VENTED BEHIND THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023336

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2003
Structure

1997 HONDA CIVIC 4 DOOR DX, BOTH REAR DOORS LOCKED UP, UNABLE TO OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10023206

110,000 miles · Jun 3, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

AFTER VEHICLE WARMS TO OPERATING TEMP. AND THE RPMS ARE BETWEEN 2000 AND 3000. THE VEHICLE BOGS DOWN, RELEASING THE THROTTLE OR PUSHING IN THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE IDLE IS NORMAL. IF THE THROTTLE IS PUSHED DOWN AND THE RPMS RISE, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE VEHICLE CAN BOG DOWN AND THEN STRAIGHTEN OUT TH…

Read full complaint

AFTER VEHICLE WARMS TO OPERATING TEMP. AND THE RPMS ARE BETWEEN 2000 AND 3000. THE VEHICLE BOGS DOWN, RELEASING THE THROTTLE OR PUSHING IN THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE IDLE IS NORMAL. IF THE THROTTLE IS PUSHED DOWN AND THE RPMS RISE, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE VEHICLE CAN BOG DOWN AND THEN STRAIGHTEN OUT THE SPEED WILL RESUME TO WHERE IT SHOULD BE. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH NO RHYME OR REASON ASSOCIATED WITH IT. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE ASKED COUNTLESS NUMBER OF PEOPLE. INTERNET SEARCH HAD SHOWN THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO ONE HAS AN ANSWER AS TO THE CAUSE OR THE RELIEF. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR AND I NOTICED IT THE FIRST TIME I DROVE IT. I BOUGHT IS USED AND IT HAD NO WARRANTY. VEHICLE NEEDED EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND TIRES WHEN I BOUGHT IT. NOTHING ELSE WAS MENTIONED. I FEEL THIS IS A HAZARD, AS IT IS UNPREDICTABLE AND IT HAS OCCURRED IN PARKING LOTS, AS WELL AS ON THE OPEN ROAD. I HAVE READ OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS TO BE ONLY WITH THE HONDA 1.6 LITER SOHC VTEC 16Y8 ENGINE. THIS IS THE ENGINE THAT I HAVE IN MY CIVIC EX. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10020999

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2003
Air Bags

THE SRS INDICATOR LIGHT FLICKERED ON & OFF FOR SEVERAL DAYS, AND NOW REMAINS ON ALL THE TIME. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS A MALFUNCTIONING UNIT THAT WILL COST $500+ TO REPLACE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 38000 MILES ON IT, AND DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE AIRBAG RECALL FROM NOVEMBER '97. HAS HONDA LOOKED INTO THIS PROBLEM FOR ALL OF ITS MODELS? *JB

NHTSA ODI #10016270

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2003
Electrical SystemCrash

AFTER RECALL REPAIR OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, 02 120 000, IT MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING IN THE PARK GEAR. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10015511

70,000 miles · Apr 7, 2003
Power Train

WHILE EXITING THE FREEWAY THE CONSUMER STOPPED AT A LIGHT. WHEN THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO PROCEED THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. *NLM THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #10015282

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2003
Power Train

TRANSMISSION HAS A SHUTTER WHEN CAR IS WARMED UP. CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD WITH 70K IN MILES AND DEALERSHIP HAS SAID IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10013569

5 miles · Mar 27, 2003
Power Train

WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PETAL, IT FEELS ROUGH AND NOTCHY. IT'S HARD TO ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY. STARTED TO NOTICE THE PROBLEM AT ABOUT 85,000 MILES. THEN, WHEN I WAS ON THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO SCOTT ROBINSON HONDA IN TORRANCE AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY MY DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM. THEY INFORMED ME T…

Read full complaint

WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PETAL, IT FEELS ROUGH AND NOTCHY. IT'S HARD TO ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY. STARTED TO NOTICE THE PROBLEM AT ABOUT 85,000 MILES. THEN, WHEN I WAS ON THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO SCOTT ROBINSON HONDA IN TORRANCE AND THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS PROBABLY MY DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IS WAS COVERED BY HONDA EXTENDED WARRANTY. AFTER MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP ALL DAY, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT IT WASN'T MY DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM, BUT MY TRANSMISSION. HE SAID THAT THE COMPUTER'S DIAGNOSED CODE WAS(PO715), WHICH MEANS THAT THE MAINSHAFT SPEED SENSOR FAILED. HE SAID THAT SINCE THAT PART IS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION, THEY FELT I SHOULD HAVE IT REPLACED. THEY WANTED ME TO SPEND $3,500.00 ON A REBUILT ONE TO REPLACE MINE. I ASKED HIM IF MY CAR WOULD BE OK TO DRIVE AROUND WITHOUT REPLACING IT, HE SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW. IT COULD DIE ON ME IN A WEEK, OR IN A YEAR. SO FAR, MY CAR IS STILL RUNNING. I HAVE NEVER MISSED A REQUIRED SERVICE DATE. MY ENGINE LIGHT STILL OCCASIONALLY COMES ON, AND I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY EACH TIME TO RESET THE COMPUTER SO IT WILL GO OFF. THE GAS PETAL STILL FEELS ROUGH WHEN I PRESS ON IT FROM A COMPLETE STOP. I TOLD HONDA ABOUT THE RECALL #99I002000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND ASKED THEM IF THEY WOULD REPLACE MY THROTTLE CABLE. HONDA INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS NO SUCH RECALL ON A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. I PRINTED OUT THE INFO FROM YOUR WEBSITE AND FAXED IT TO THEM. I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10013566

107,587 miles · Mar 3, 2003
Visibility

POWER WINDOWS FAIL. THE INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 7 TIMES IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS. SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES SAY THAT ONE MUST LUBRICATE THE WINDOW RUNNERS. THE OWNER'S MANUAL EITHER FAILS TO MENTION THIS MAINTENANCE OR THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH MAINTENANCE. THE PART IS ALWAYS REPLACED AND ALWAYS FAILS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10008350

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

SINCE OCT '02, I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN AND OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO THE RECALL FOR EMISSIONS. EACH TIME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED. THE FIRST TIME, THE COMPUTER WENT BAD AND WAS REPLACED. THE SECOND TIME, THE O2 SENSOR WENT BAD AND THE CAR STALLED OUT ON A BU…

Read full complaint

SINCE OCT '02, I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN AND OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO THE RECALL FOR EMISSIONS. EACH TIME, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED. THE FIRST TIME, THE COMPUTER WENT BAD AND WAS REPLACED. THE SECOND TIME, THE O2 SENSOR WENT BAD AND THE CAR STALLED OUT ON A BUSY INTERSTATE IN NC WHERE CONSTRUCTION IS BEING DONE AND THERE ARE NO SHOULDERS TO PULL OFF ON. I BELIEVE HONDA SHOULD REPLACE THE ENTIRE EMISSIONS SYSTEM COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY INSTEAD OF COSTING THEIR CONSUMERS TIME AND A LOT OF AGGRAVATION BY FIXING THE PROBLEMS ONE AT A TIME. THIS WILL ABSOLUTELY BE THE LAST HONDA I OWN DUE TO THIS ONE SITUATION. I'M SICK OF SPENDING TIME IN THE DEALERSHIP HAVING TO WAIT FOR THEM TO TELL ME WHAT THE CURRENT PROBLEM IS. A CAR THAT IS 6 YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE THE WHOLE EMISSIONS SYSTEM REPLACED IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #10007726

Official recalls

2

20V026000 · 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

1

SQ98012 · 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.

Go deeper into Honda Civic problems