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1997 Honda Accord problems

The most common problem on the 1997 Honda Accord is airbags, typically around 75,500 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Accord model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
459
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
75
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
19-25mpg
Typical repair
$800

The worst 1997 Honda Accord problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Honda Accord

Airbag light 83Stalling 28ABS 17Seat belt 16Ball joint 13Adaptive cruise 11No deployment 11Check engine light 11Sudden acceleration 11Transmission failure 9Loss of power 8Brake failure 6Door locks 6Slipping 6

Recalls 3

Electrical system: ignition: switchReported May 16, 2002 · 1,000,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 02V120000 · Recall details

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball jointReported May 10, 1999 · 124,875 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 99V069000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiring: front underhoodReported September 22, 1998 · 967,771 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 98V231000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 1997 Honda Accord

Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Honda Accord 75

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 75 bulletins for the 1997 Honda Accord

1997 Honda Accord fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.2L 4‑cylFWD18-2224-2920-25
2.7L 6‑cylFWD172319

What 1997 Honda Accord owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 7, 2023 · Electrical · 200,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and attempting to slow down, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality however, the failure became a persistent failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. However, the contact stated that the battery, carburetor, and alternator were replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 02V120000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed May 18, 2023 · Engine, Lights · GA

I bought this car from a private owner about 2 months ago ever since I had it the car shuts off I think it O2 sensor is not working or it's gone the CV joint went out on the right side I had it replaced and it still messed up it's something with the suspension and stuff the front end alignments out real bad it ate up my tires really bad to where it keeps eating up tires every time I put them on here badly real fast too the left side CV joint I believe is about to go out cuz it's knocking the lights are messed up the wiring in this car is bad with the lighting system because the left headlight is out and it won't stay on it blinks on and off the cigarette lighter is not working sometimes this car will not crank it'll turn over and show the lights but it won't crank the radiator fans are not working I don't know what's going on with that and it's a lot of other things I believe that's not properly working right and I really need this checked out because I'm low income with children and I like that I had a bad accident two days ago in this car during the rain because my car slid right and it kept going right instead of turning left on the interstate around the curve in the curve it went right and I'm scared of this car right now cuz it almost killed me and my kids if it would have hit that guardrail we would have went off the in Bank of the interstate I just now today on May 18th 2023 had a tire put on here and I'm going to have another one put on here again these tires cost money because I was sold a car that is not properly stable for this road and I was lied to about it and the guy got my $1,000 and he told me this car was drivable and stable when it's not and my windows don't automatically roll down in the front with the power button but the back one was rolled down when you roll them down from the back please help me understand this car thank you. my email address is [XXX] and once again I'm low income practically homeless and I'm trying to do gig. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A

Filed Apr 7, 2023 · Suspension · IL

SEVERE frame rust where suspension bolts to. Safety hazard.

Filed Sep 30, 2021 · Electrical, Fuel system · OH · fire

While driving car speed starts to fall soon there is no pedal at all and smoke and fire come from underneath dashboard transmission hesitates to shift now currently un safe to drive.

Filed May 5, 2021 · Engine · ME · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 honda accord. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30- 35 MPH, the vehicle overheated and smoke was detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact let the vehicle cool down however experienced the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jun 14, 2020 · Brakes, Electrical · IL

I test drive 1997 honda accord and you had to pump the break paddle to slow it down within 4 block radius when returning the garage the service engine light came on the vehicle started vibrating this was last week this month june 2020. They selling the for $1600. The blue book show it worth $800. To 1200. This vehicle serious mechanical issu

Filed May 28, 2019 · Acceleration · 171,000 miles · LA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 honda accord lx. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 60 MPH (the cruse control on), when attempted to slow down, the vehicle did not stop. The contact attempted to avoid the vehicles in front, went in to an embankment, and then came out onto oncoming traffic. The contact got striked by a pick up truck. A police report was filed. The passenger was taken to the hospital by ambulance, treated and released. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000. *bf

Filed Aug 7, 2018 · Electrical · 131,377 miles · KS

I am hearing electrical sparking sound when I turn ignition switch to start position. The car starts only after several attempts. Car was stationary.

Filed Aug 7, 2018 · Electrical · 131,000 miles · KS

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 honda accord. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start when prompted. A dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v120000 (electrical system) as the source of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.

Filed Apr 10, 2018 · Electrical · WA

The car dies while driving, sometimes in motion, sometimes stopped in traffic. The mechanic said it is the ignition switch. This was the subject of a recall previously in 2002. I can't tell if my car was listed or repaired then.

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Compare the 1997 Honda Accord

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Other model years

1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 1997 Honda Accord

Is the 1997 Honda Accord reliable?

Owners have filed 459 complaints about the 1997 Honda Accord, fewer than a typical Accord model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1997 Honda Accord?

Airbags, with 113 complaints, typically around 75,500 miles. Next is electrical (96).

How many recalls does the 1997 Honda Accord have?

3 recalls, covering electrical system and suspension.

What year does the Honda Accord have bad airbags?

The Honda Accord model years with the most airbags complaints are 2000 (454 complaints), 2001 (407 complaints) and 2008 (379 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1997 Honda Accord get?

Official estimates for the 1997 Honda Accord range from 19 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-22 city and 24-29 highway.

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