Throttle cable sticks at low speeds - when pressed, it "snaps lose" going to 1/2 throttle, jerking car forward, snapping necks of driver and passengers. Is a severe safety problem - could cause an accident by slamming vehicle into back of lead vehicle. Ref: campaign id 99i002000. Honda dealer says this is not a warranty or product improvement campaign item.
1997 Honda Civic acceleration problems
38 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 38,500. 6 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 38
- of this car's complaints
- 10%
- typical mileage
- 38,500
- crashes
- 6
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Accelerator pedal12
- Cruise control2
- Cables2
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Honda Civic acceleration problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Honda Civic acceleration
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 1997 Honda Civic owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Dt*: the contact stated there was an accident that occurred with the vehicle due to the interference of the driver's side floor mat with the accelerator. There is a recall #99e015000 pertaining to the accessory driver-side floor mats. The manufacturer has been alerted who refuses to honor the recall. The contact expressed that the manufacturer should be responsible for the accident because of the recall.
I am continually experiencing the issue listed in campaign id 99i002000 on my 1997 civic. The defect report indicates that 1997 civics are covered. When I call honda to arrange resolution of defect, they tell me only 1996 civics are covered. This is frustrating considering I am experiencing the issue and 99i002000 lists my year. I'm nervous that the roughness of the accelerator pedal will cause me to rear-end someone eventually. Please convince honda that my 1997 should be covered. Thank you.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle slowly accelerates while applying firm pressure to the accelerator pedal at various speeds. Although the problem persisted, the vehicle was not seen by a dealer. There is a safety improvement campaign, # 99i002000, regarding the vehicle speed control. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the campaign due to the VIN.
My newly acquired 1997 honda civic has a problem with the gas pedal. It is impossible for me to smoothly accelerate, the pedal has a choppy feeling and is very jerky at slow speeds. When I go to press on the pedal it wont move and then when it does move it moves too far. I looked up the problem and found there was a recall for the problem, however the dealer I talked to and the honda company stated that my car did not qualify. The federal safety agency campaign number is 99i002000. The problem is very dangerous in traffic, and I have nearly rear ended people on numerous occasions. I hope there is some way I can get this problem fixed. The problem happens every time I drive the car so the incident date I am going to put is generally when we acquired the car. Thank you.
A vehicle speed control recall (the federal safety agency campaign id number : 99i002000) related to my vehicle is posted on the federal safety agency website. I have the specific problem described in this recall. However, both the honda dealer and manufacturer said they did not find such a recall on my vehicle and refuses to pay for the fix. My vehicle make, model and year: make : honda model : civic year : 1997 the posted recall make, model and year: make : honda model : civic year : 1997 the federal safety agency campaign id number is 99i002000 I feel the vehicle speed control recall poses a risk to my safety and I would appreciate it if the federal safety agency would assist me in getting the issue resolved. Thank you for your assistance.
In 1987 I purchased a new honda accord. About 7-1/2 years later this what occurred. I was pulling into a parking space and all of a sudden the car surged forward at a rapid pace and it hit a building. There was damage to the building and the car. No one was injured. I drove the car 3 years after that. Then I gave the car to my son and in about 1999 the same thing happened to him with the 1987 honda. In 1997 I bought a honda civic (no bells or whistles). About 7-1/2 years later this is what happened. I was parking the car and all of a sudden it surged forward at an uncontrollable speed the same as it did in the 1987 honda accord. I hit the side of a building, turned the wheel to avoid goinig through the windows of the building, hit another car, then finally the car slowed down some and I put the car in park. Since this has happed to me two times I am petrified to drive my car again. No one was injured. Please do not think I stepped on gas.this is ridiculous, when parking a car you slow down and use the brake. As this car was surging forward, I had my brake to the floor. I could not stop what was happening. Please help me with this situation. Thank you very much. I searched the nhts - office of defects investigation - I found 10 incidents of this happening with the 1987 honda accord. What is to say this can also be true of the 1997 honda civic.
In 1987 I purchased a new honda accord. Seven and 1/2 years later this is what occurred. I was pulling into a parking space and all of a sudden the car surged forward at a rapid pace and it hit a building. There was damage to the building and the car. No one was injured. I drove the car 3 years after that. Then I gave the car to my son and in 1999 the same thing happened to him with the same car. In 1997 I bought a honda civic (no bells or whistles). Seven and half years later this is what happened. I was parking the car and all of a sudden it surged forward like the last time. I hit the side of a building, turned the wheel to avoid going through the windows of the building, hit another car, then finally the car slowed down, and I put the car in park. Since this has happened to me two times I am petrified to drive my car again. No one was injured, thank goodness. Please do not think I stepped on the gas. This is ridiculous, when parking a car you slow down and put on your brake. As this car was surging forward, I had my brake to the floor. I could not stop what was happening. Please help me with this situation. Thank you very much.
On saturday, may 8th 2004, when I was coming home from my college graduation, I slightly accelerated in my 1997 honda civic ex from 25 to 35 MPH on 26th street in minneapolis, mn around 5:30 MPH. For some unseen, odd and possessive reason, my gas pedal got stuck to the floor and began to accelerate to 65 MPH on a 30 MPH road. Normally Ive never heard of this happening and have always been a fan of honda automobiles and products. I have never been in an accident and have a clean driving record. Thank god there wasn't any traffic, because for 6 blocks I've never been so scared in my life. While I was driving, my car was red lining (because of the blown speed sensor or throttle gauge according to the dealership that fixed my vehicle), it caused me to question why I drive. As I came across a fairly busy road, I tried to slow the car down by pressing as hard as possible on the brake and putting the automatic transmission into neutral (which did slow the car down slightly), but only to 10-15mph. I was then forced with hitting and possibly injuring/killing people on the forthcoming street in minneapolis (26th and hennepin), but instead was able to use a dumpster in a pre-existing alleyway as a buffer to slow my car down to a safe speed where I could pull the e-brake, put the vehicle into park and then turn the car off. I do have insurance and wasn't injured, but I will need a new bumper, front bumper side skirt and new rim/tire totaling over $2000. I'm trying to find if anyone knows of this problem or of any possible recalls/defects? As this is a manufacturers error as per the company who fixed my honda (town and country dodge in hopkins, mn), I am very nervous about purchasing other honda automobiles as is my family and friends that I have spoken with. My civic was kept in flawless condition, was given all mechanical updates based on scheduled maintenance (as required by honda) and has currently has a youthful 105,000 miles. Thank you for listening.
While driving the vehicle at any speed the accelerator pedal sticks intermittently and suddenly accelerates. The dealer inspected the vehicle but could not duplicate or correct the problem. The consumer was scared to drive the vehicle. Please provide further information.
Questions about the 1997 Honda Civic acceleration
Does the 1997 Honda Civic have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 38 complaints about the acceleration of the 1997 Honda Civic, 10% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1997 Honda Civic acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 38,500 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Honda Civic acceleration?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Honda Civic have the most acceleration problems?
The Honda Civic model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2022 (42 complaints), 2006 (40 complaints) and 1997 (38 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).
Other 1997 Honda Civic problems
Airbags 140Visibility 33Electrical 30Engine 28Tires 27Transmission 25Brakes 23Body 18Seat belts 13Lights 9Steering 5Suspension 5Fuel system 4Locks 3Wheels 3Seats 1
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