NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls and 467 owner complaints for the 1997 Honda Accord. Most complaints involve air bags (114) and electrical system (94). The EPA rates it 19–25 mpg combined.
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.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED 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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Accord model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 478 |
| 1997 | 467 |
| 1998 | 1,215 |
| 1999 | 1,144 |
| 2000 | 1,193 |
| 2001 | 932 |
| 2002 | 1,062 |
| 2003 | 2,013 |
| 2004 | 1,018 |
| 2005 | 686 |
| 2006 | 433 |
| 2007 | 524 |
| 2008 | 1,521 |
| 2009 | 727 |
| 2010 | 581 |
| 2011 | 296 |
| 2012 | 381 |
| 2013 | 1,438 |
| 2014 | 984 |
| 2015 | 602 |
| 2016 | 613 |
| 2017 | 540 |
| 2018 | 1,897 |
| 2019 | 698 |
| 2020 | 368 |
| 2021 | 246 |
| 2022 | 262 |
| 2023 | 88 |
| 2024 | 153 |
| 2025 | 99 |
| 2026 | 14 |
“I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS NOT WENT OFF. I HAVE NOT HIT ANYTHING AND I WAS JUST DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN IT JUST CAME ON.”
“The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and attempting to slow down, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality however, the failure became a persistent failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. However, the contact stated that the battery, carburetor, and alternator were replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V120000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,587. UPDATED 08/24/11 *BF UPDATED 08/29/11”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accord Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L, (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,550 | 355 |
| Accord Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L, (VTEC) (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,700 | 370 |
| Accord Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L, (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Accord Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L, (VTEC) (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Accord Wagon Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L, (VTEC) (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Accord Wagon Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L, (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,900 | 404 |
| Accord Wagon Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L, (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Accord Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.7 L, (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
15 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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.
Owners filed 467 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (114), electrical system (94), engine and engine cooling (47). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1997 Honda Accord at 19–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).