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.
1997 Honda Civic: sudden unintended acceleration
11 of the 373 complaints about the 1997 Honda Civic describe sudden unintended acceleration.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- recalls
- 0
Sudden unintended acceleration by model year
What owners say
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.
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.
Consumer states while pulling out of driveway the vehicle suddenly accelerated and collided into a tree. Consumer also stated the engine continued to "revv" loudly after collision occurred. Mr
Unintended acceleration and failure of dealer to correct situation.
Vehicle has accelerated on its own about 12-20 times at any speed. Consumer will apply brakes, and depress clutch to slow vehicle. Rpms go up to 7000. Mechanic cannot find cause.
While consumer placed her foot on the gas pedal vehicle suddenly accelerated forward and caused an accident.
While stopping at a stop light, foot on brake vehicle surged forward. Consumer was able to stop vehicle. As soon as vehicle was stopped, it surged again. Consumer was unable to come to a stop, and rearended another vehicle. No injuries.
Vehicle suddenly accelerated at a very high speed because of the gas pedal getting stuck to the floor. Consumer had to keep hitting the pedal until it eventualy released. Dealer has been contacted.
Vehicle suddenly accelerates to 4000 to 5000 rpms without warning. The vehicle than has to be put in neutral in order to stop. Please give any further details.
While merging into traffic, the accelerator stuck flat to the floor causing vehicle to suddenly accelerate; the brakes did not respond.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Due to the floor design, a mispositioned floor mat could prevent the accelerator pedal from returning to...
- On some vehicles, when cold started and put into gear the idle will flux from 500 RPM to 1500 RPM
- Customer may comment on a click-type noise heard when the cruise control is engaged below 40 mph
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1997 Honda Civic sudden acceleration
Is sudden unintended acceleration a common problem on the 1997 Honda Civic?
11 of 373 owner complaints about the 1997 Honda Civic (3%) mention sudden unintended acceleration. The model year with the most reports is 2012.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Honda Civic?
There are 0 recalls and 3 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Honda Civic
Airbag light 70No deployment 22Check engine light 20Tire blowout 11Headlights 9Jerking 9Transmission failure 8Seat belt 7Power windows 6Brake failure 5Slipping 5
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