Research · Subcompact Cars

1997 Acura IntegraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 22 owner complaints for the 1997 Acura Integra. Most complaints involve electrical system (6) and air bags (6). The EPA rates it 24–25 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
24–25mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest May 2009
Owner complaints
22
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Exterior lightingReported Jun 29, 2006NHTSA 06E060000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Exterior lightingReported May 24, 2006NHTSA 06E049000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

22 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 1997 – Jan 2017
  1. Electrical system6
  2. Air bags6
  3. Visibility4
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  5. Vehicle speed control1
  6. Engine1
  7. Fuel system, gasoline1
  8. Seat belts1
  9. Tires1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Integra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199644
199722
199821
19998
200017
20016
2023208
202464
202511
20262
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

6 reports
“I AM A 78 YEAR OLD WOMAN DEALING WITH MALES AT ACURA/HONDA WHO HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT RUN AROUND AND STALL. I HAVE HAD TWO TERRIBLE INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, THE FIRST ONE AT 70 MILES AN HOUR ON A CROWDED FREEWAY, THE CAR JUMPED TO 80 MPH AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, I TOOK OUT 200' OF SHRUBS ALONG THE FREEWAY & WAS LUCKY I COULD GET OFF THE FREEWAY AND STANDING ON THE BRAKE THE CAR FINALLY WENT TO IDLE. THE AUTO SHOP CLEANED THE THROTTLE. 3 WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN AT 50 MPH, IN BOTH CASES I WAS LUCKY TO SURVIVE. TOWED THE CAR TO F AIRFIELD HONDA, WHERE THEY HAD HONDA INSPECTORS CHECK OUT THE CAR. THEY USED THE SAME EXCUSE AS TOYOTA SEVERAL YEARS AGO, THE FLOOR MATS WERE UNDER THE GAS PEDDLE. THE CAR WAS NEVER DRIVEN WITH THE MATS UNDER THE GAS PEDDLE, IT WAS NOT LIKE THAT AT THE DEALER, IT WOULD BE HARD TO DO WITH THE STEM OF THE GAS PEDDLE GOING UP INTO CHASSIS, AND NOT DOWN INTO FLOOR. THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG, AND WOULD NOT TELL ME WHAT, IF ANYTHING, THEY DID TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I SPENT ONE MONTH TRYING TO GET RESULTS OR RESOLUTION. I WOULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, NOR HAVE ANYONE I KNEW DRIVE IT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 27, 2017Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 10947980

Air bags

6 reports3 crashes
“TL*- THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING THE 1997 ACURA INTEGRA IN THE EVENING HOURS GOING AROUND THE OFF RAMP OF THE EXPRESSWAY. THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND HE WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL, AND THE VEHICLE AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT OFF THE EXPRESSWAY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 25 MPH WHICH WAS THE SPEED LIMIT, AND THAT IT HAD DRIZZLED. HE FELT THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, AND IT WOULD HAVE SAVED THE DRIVER FROM SOME OF THE INJURIES THAT HE SUSTAINED. THE DRIVER HAD NECK, LOWER BACK AND HEAD INJURIES. THE CONTACT WILL SUBMIT PICTURES ALONG WITH POLICE AND INSURANCE COMPANY REPORTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POLICE OFFICER STATED THAT THE LOW PROFILE TIRES WERE WORN OUT ON THE INSIDE, BUT THE TIRES WERE ABOUT THREE MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,300.*AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2007Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10186743

Visibility

4 reports
“WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE MOON ROOF, OR SUNROOF TOP FLEW OFF ONTO THE HIGHWAY. CONSUMER STATES ROOF ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR. CONSUMER FEELS IT MAY BE A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 14, 2003VisibilityODI 10003729
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline · Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Integra
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, DOHC/VTEC (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$3,200355
Integra
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$2,550355
Integra
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$2,700370
  • Integra
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, DOHC/VTEC (FFS)
    22 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Integra
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, (FFS)
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Integra
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, (FFS)
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Acura Integra as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1997 Integra questions

How many recalls does the 1997 Acura Integra have?

5 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1997 Acura Integra problems?

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (6), air bags (6), visibility (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1997 Acura Integra get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Acura Integra at 24–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026