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1997 Honda Civic problems

The most common problem on the 1997 Honda Civic is airbags, typically around 90,000 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Civic model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
373
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
132
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
27-34mpg
Typical repair
$500

The worst 1997 Honda Civic 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 Civic

Airbag light 70No deployment 22Check engine light 20Sudden acceleration 11Tire blowout 11Headlights 9Jerking 9Transmission failure 8Seat belt 7Power windows 6Brake failure 5Slipping 5

Recalls 2

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported January 17, 2020 · 1,439,841 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 20V026000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported November 1, 1997 · 9,558 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 97V193000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1997 Honda Civic

Defect investigations

Condenser fan motor inoperativeOpened June 30, 1998, closed November 2, 1998

See resume for details.

SQ98012

Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Honda Civic 132

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

See all 132 bulletins for the 1997 Honda Civic

1997 Honda Civic fuel economy

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

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.6L 4‑cylFWD24-3132-3927-34

What 1997 Honda Civic owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 30, 2022 · Airbags · CA

The contact owns a 1997 Honda Civic. The contact received a notification for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V026000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact then received a notice that the parts were available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it remained in their possession for three months due to the part for the vehicle not being available. The contact then signed a waiver to take liability for any air bag failure that may occur while in his possession. The contact also declined a buyback offer made by the manufacturer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Sep 28, 2020 · Airbags · 212,000 miles · AZ

Good day: on 17 march 2020, honda advised me that my 1997 civic is included in the federal safety agency recall 20v‑026, which affects the driver frontal airbag module. In the recall notice, honda said the repair parts are unavailable, and promised to notify me when the defective components become available. More than six months later, I am still awaiting word from honda about when my car can be repaired. My honda dealer says they have no idea when the parts will be available. I therefore wish to issue a formal complaint that honda has failed to remedy this defect within the 60-day reasonable time period specified in the recall notice. Thank you for your consideration.

Filed Sep 15, 2020 · Airbags · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 honda civic. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. Honda of greeley (4535 w. 29th st, greeley, co 80634) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Aug 3, 2020 · Airbags · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 honda civic. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. Gardena honda located at 15541 s western ave, gardena, ca 90249 was notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.*dt

Filed Jun 23, 2020 · Airbags · CA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1997 honda civic. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Norm reeves honda superstore huntington beach (19131 beach blvd, huntington beach, ca 92648, (888) 405-0115) was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was contacted and provided the contact with a case number. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Apr 5, 2020 · Airbags · CA

I got a recall letter saying they don't have my part and I have sixty days to reply but with this virus how and when will they have my part

Filed Oct 15, 2019 · Airbags, Seat belts · CA

My honda is over 15 years old. Are the airbags safe?

Filed Dec 13, 2018 · Lights · 7,500 miles · CO

Headlights have not and will not operate on low beams. Only on highbeams and even after factory replacement. Blinkers do not operate correctly and seem to change timing pattern when rear blubs are changed for a short time. One blinks at a different time than the other except when the flashers are on. It blinks faster in idle at at stop light but as soon as you accelerate it slows down. These are the amber side headlights but on highbeams amber doesn't work correctly. My VIN however does not show up on he recall. How can I get this repaired? I've had the car since 1999 and never received any notification except when my mileage maintenance is due. I'm concerned about the airbag issue as well but have no way of knowing how to get it checked and if needed replacement bags and lights put in. Please advise (xxxx) thank you parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Dec 8, 2017 · Airbags, Body · 158,000 miles · OR

Takata recall? While driving straight through my neighborhood boulevard I fell asleep, causing me to quickly acceleratte and hit a tree head on approximately 40 MPH, according to multiple witnesses and emergency responders. No airbags deployed in the car. My face and body hit the steering wheel, resulting in 4 teeth knocked out, 8 spine disc herniations and injuries, a heart contusion, whiplash, concussion, cracked collar bone, and much bruising, and broken eye glasses, retrieved by an attending neighbor witness. I was told by an attending emt that if the air bags deployed these injuries would not have occurred. When I asked my insurance agent how to retrieve my personal items from the car I was told he car was immediately deemed a total loss and, without my knowledge, my insurance co. Transfered my honda to the wrecking yard to be flattened. I spoke to the accident attending rescue responders and firemen. They said based on the way my car hit the tree head on and the impact speed, the airbags should have deployed and if the airbags were present in the car they must have been defective. I have kept all written paperwork resulting from this accident.

Filed Sep 6, 2017 · Suspension · TX

I ordered driver side and passenger side valucraft ball joint (part number: vfa2084) from autozone.com for my car ,1997 honda civic dx 2 dr coupe on 5/29/2016. The ball joints were installed on both sides and ran fine until on 4/21/2017 between 10-11pm passenger side valucraft ball joint broke off between stud and ball while I was making left turn without any warning signs. Passenger side cv axle was pulled out of transmission and broke apart at inner boot area. About 2/3 of transmission fluid leaked out. Passenger side wheel fell inward. The car?s body around passenger side wheel area was damaged. My car couldn?t be moved and had to be towed. Fortunately, it happened on local road and no other cars around, otherwise I could have been seriously injured.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1997 Honda Civic before you buy

Compare the 1997 Honda Civic

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Other model years

1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 1997 Honda Civic

Is the 1997 Honda Civic reliable?

Owners have filed 373 complaints about the 1997 Honda Civic, fewer than a typical Civic model year.

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

Airbags, with 140 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles. Next is acceleration (38).

How many recalls does the 1997 Honda Civic have?

2 recalls, covering air bags.

Was there a recall on the 1997 Honda Civic airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 20V026000, 97V193000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Honda Civic have bad airbags?

The Honda Civic model years with the most airbags complaints are 2001 (310 complaints), 2002 (242 complaints) and 2006 (181 complaints).

Is there a class action lawsuit over the Honda Civic?

Yes. Class action says Honda and Acura keyless entry makes cars easy to steal and asks for theft protection (November 12, 2026).

What gas mileage does the 1997 Honda Civic get?

Official estimates for the 1997 Honda Civic range from 27 to 34 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 24-31 city and 32-39 highway.

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