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.
1997 Honda Civic airbags problems
140 complaints (38% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000. 49 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 140
- of this car's complaints
- 38%
- typical mileage
- 90,000
- crashes
- 49
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Frontal53
- Frontal: sensor/control module20
- Side/window2
- On-off switch assembly1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Honda Civic airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Honda Civic airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- 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: frontal
- 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
What 1997 Honda Civic owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
My honda is over 15 years old. Are the airbags safe?
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.
"takata recall" my airbags went off when I was turning and went over a a bump, and cracked my windshield really bad on the passenger side. The SRS red light had been on for quite some time before this. When this occurred it blew a fuse and I had to have it towed. I did not file a police report because I only have liability insurance for the car so insurance did not need it. I have also had problems with the wiring and the cruise control would not work and would honk the horn when I tried to use it
Takata recall the vehicle was involved in a crash where it hit a guard rail, flipped and caught on fire, neither air bags deployed!! My daughter had to be transported to the hospital with injuries.
Questions about the 1997 Honda Civic airbags
Does the 1997 Honda Civic have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 140 complaints about the airbags of the 1997 Honda Civic, 38% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1997 Honda Civic airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.
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).
Other 1997 Honda Civic problems
Acceleration 38Visibility 33Electrical 30Engine 28Tires 27Transmission 25Brakes 23Body 18Seat belts 13Lights 9Steering 5Suspension 5Fuel system 4Locks 3Wheels 3Seats 1
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