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1997 Honda CR-V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Honda CR-V are lower than the model-year median of 400.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 25 of 108 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

6 reports
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198,000 miles · Jun 25, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AS IF THE IGNITION HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. LIGHTS WERE ON, RADIO WAS ON BUT ENGINE STALLED AND STEERING WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED FROM ROUGHLY 65MPH TO 45MPH AT WHICH POINT I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BY TURNING THE KEY. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IM…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AS IF THE IGNITION HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. LIGHTS WERE ON, RADIO WAS ON BUT ENGINE STALLED AND STEERING WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED FROM ROUGHLY 65MPH TO 45MPH AT WHICH POINT I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BY TURNING THE KEY. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AND I WAS IMMEDIATELY TO ACCELERATE TO THE ORIGINAL SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10340011

100,000 miles · Jul 9, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A PASSING MOTORIST ALERTED CONSUMER TO THE FLAMES AND SMOKE SHOOTING OUT IN A BIG BALL FROM UNDERNEATH OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY PULLED OF THE HIGHWAY, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A LARGE WHOLE IN IT. MECHANIC INSTALLED A REBUILT E…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY A PASSING MOTORIST ALERTED CONSUMER TO THE FLAMES AND SMOKE SHOOTING OUT IN A BIG BALL FROM UNDERNEATH OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY PULLED OF THE HIGHWAY, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A LARGE WHOLE IN IT. MECHANIC INSTALLED A REBUILT ENGINE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10081644

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingFuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER CITED THE POOR OR LACK OF SERVICE BY THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS THE POOR QUALITY OF HIS VEHICLE. *LA THE CONSUMER HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE CAP WAS NOT TIGHTENED PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE FAILED …

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CONSUMER CITED THE POOR OR LACK OF SERVICE BY THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS THE POOR QUALITY OF HIS VEHICLE. *LA THE CONSUMER HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE CAP WAS NOT TIGHTENED PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON ANOTHER OCCASION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED, WHICH HAS SINCE FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD A FLAT TIRE, WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO CHANGE THE TIRE, SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A JACK. THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER WHEN THE CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THERE WAS A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE BELT TENSIONER WAS NOT PROPERLY ADJUSTED. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ADJUSTED. THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID WAS REPLACED, THE RIGHT CV BOOT WAS LEAKING AND THE TURN SIGNALS DID NOT CANCEL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10059440

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE TIMING BELT BROKE 2500 MILES BEFORE FIRST SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CAUSING THE CAR TO BREAK DOWN ON THE FREEWAY, THANKFULLY WE WERE STUCK IN TRAFFIC OTHERWISE THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE! THE DEALER IS NOW TELLING ME I NEED A NEW ENGINE FOR 7000.00 DOLLARS. IF I HAD BEEN TOLD TO CHANGE THE BELT SOONER I WOULD HAVE …

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THE TIMING BELT BROKE 2500 MILES BEFORE FIRST SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE CAUSING THE CAR TO BREAK DOWN ON THE FREEWAY, THANKFULLY WE WERE STUCK IN TRAFFIC OTHERWISE THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE! THE DEALER IS NOW TELLING ME I NEED A NEW ENGINE FOR 7000.00 DOLLARS. IF I HAD BEEN TOLD TO CHANGE THE BELT SOONER I WOULD HAVE DONE SO. I FOLLOW THE MAINTENANCE SHCEDULE IN MY OWNERS MANUAL BECAUSE IT CLEARLY STATES THAT FAILURE TO DO SO CAN CAUSE INJURY OR EVEN DEATH CAUSED BY AN ACCIDENT DUE TO EQUIPMENT FAILURE. IF THE MANUAL SAYS 105K MILES TO CHANGE THE TIMING BELT, IT SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO LAST UNTIL 105K MILES. WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT A HEADLIGHT HERE, THIS FAILURE CAUSED MY ENTIRE CAR TO SIEZE UP ON ME. THE ENTIRE CAR SHUT OFF INCLUDING STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THANK GOD I WAS NOT GOING 65MPH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #766248

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER STATES THAT TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION. CONSUMER STATES ON THE RIDE HOME THE VEHICLE DIED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PRO

NHTSA ODI #8016966

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2001
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING, HARD TO RESTART. *AK

NHTSA ODI #750697

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.

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.

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.

Go deeper into Honda CR-V problems