Problems · NHTSA complaints
1997 Honda Accord problems
Owners filed 467 complaints about the 1997 Honda Accord with NHTSA between Jun 1996 and Sep 2023. The most-cited component is air bags (114).
Complaints
467
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
42
Reported by owners
Fires
10
Reported by owners
Injuries
33
People reported injured
Deaths
9
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags114
- Electrical system94
- Engine and engine cooling47
- Vehicle speed control38
- Power train33
- Service brakes, hydraulic31
- Suspension28
- Seat belts23
- Tires17
- Equipment14
- Structure12
- Visibility12
- Steering11
- Engine10
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
17
33
52
37
53
77
34
33
18
11
4
6
10
22
7
11
5
11
9
3
2
3
1
1
2
0
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 17 |
| 1998 | 33 |
| 1999 | 52 |
| 2000 | 37 |
| 2001 | 53 |
| 2002 | 77 |
| 2003 | 34 |
| 2004 | 33 |
| 2005 | 18 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 22 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
114 reports15 crashes1 fire
“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.”
Electrical system
94 reports2 crashes6 fires2 related recalls
“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.”
Engine and engine cooling
47 reports1 crash1 fire
“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”
Vehicle speed control
38 reports17 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH (THE CRUSE CONTROL ON), WHEN ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO AVOID THE VEHICLES IN FRONT, WENT IN TO AN EMBANKMENT, AND THEN CAME OUT ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT GOT STRIKED BY A PICK UP TRUCK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PASSENGER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE, TREATED AND RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000. *BF*JB”
Power train
33 reports1 crash1 fire
“While driving car speed starts to fall soon there is no pedal at all and smoke and fire come from underneath dashboard transmission hesitates to shift now currently un safe to drive.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
31 reports3 crashes
“1997 HONDA ACCORD EX FAILED ABS MODULATOR. IT SEEMS THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS PART BEING A HIGH FAILURE ITEM. HONDA JUST SITS BACK AND CHARGES 1300 DOLLARS TO REPLACE A SAFETY ITEM. PLEASE HONDA MAKE THIS A RECALL AND START TAKING CARE OF YOUR CUSTOMERS. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.