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1997 Honda Accord

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Honda Accord do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 356.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

128 reports with mileage · 332 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 113 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 96 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

42 crash reports10 fire reports24 injury reports

Equipment complaints

15 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2000
Equipment

I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY A/C DRAINING INTO THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR OF MY CAR. THE WATER FROM MY A/C DRAINS INTO THE CAR AS A RESULT OF BLOCKAGE OF THE DRAIN HOSE ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND ANOTHER DEALERSHIP ABOUT 6 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR. ON 3/14/2000, AFTE…

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I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY A/C DRAINING INTO THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR OF MY CAR. THE WATER FROM MY A/C DRAINS INTO THE CAR AS A RESULT OF BLOCKAGE OF THE DRAIN HOSE ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND ANOTHER DEALERSHIP ABOUT 6 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR. ON 3/14/2000, AFTER REPAIRING THE SERVICE REP. STATED MY A/C SHOULD BE OPERATED IN THE RE-CIRCULATION MODE VICE THE FRESH AIR MODE. I EXPLAINED WE HAVE 4 OTHER CARS PARKING IN THE SAME AREA AS I DO, AND NONE ARE EXPERIENCING AC DRAINAGE PROBLEMS. I ASK THE REP. DOES THAT MEANS ALL HONDA MUST BE OPERATED IN THE RE-CIRCULATION MODE? HER RESPONSE WAS YES, THEY HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT TO ALL THEIR HONDA ACCORDS OWNERS. THE SERVICE REP. STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT TO OPERATE THE AC IN RE-CIRCULATION MODE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #720205

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2000
Equipment

I HAVE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY A/C DRAINING INTO THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR OF MY CAR. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO THIS DEALER AND ANOTHER DEALER ABOUT 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR. THE SERVICE REP. STATED I SHOULD ONLY OPERATE THE AC IN THE RE-CIRCULATION MODE VICE FRESH AIR MODE. I EXPLAINED WE HAVE ABOUT 4 OTHER…

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I HAVE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY A/C DRAINING INTO THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR OF MY CAR. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO THIS DEALER AND ANOTHER DEALER ABOUT 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR. THE SERVICE REP. STATED I SHOULD ONLY OPERATE THE AC IN THE RE-CIRCULATION MODE VICE FRESH AIR MODE. I EXPLAINED WE HAVE ABOUT 4 OTHER CARS PARKING IN THE SAME AREA AS I DO, AND NONE ARE EXPERIENCING AC DRAINAGE PROBLEMS. I ASK THE REP. DOES THAT MEAN ALL HONDA MUST BE OPERATED IN THE RE-CIRCULATION MODE? HER RESPONSE WAS YES, THEY HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT TO ALL OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. THE SERVICE REP. STATED THIS IS NOT AN UNSUAL SITUATION FOR HONDA. IS THAT TRUE? *AK

NHTSA ODI #720140

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1999
Equipment

WATER LEAKED INTO FRONT FLOORING, CAUSED BY "LEAF BUILDUP" IN A/C.

NHTSA ODI #711905

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 1998
Equipment

THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL STATES THAT INFANT SEAT SHOULD BE PLACED IN REAR CENTER , THIS CONTRADICTS ALL CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTRUCTIONS, WHEN ARM RESTS ARE PRESENT.

NHTSA ODI #531206

Mileage unknown · Date not reported
Electrical SystemEquipment

RECALL WORK CAN NOT BE PERFORMED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #543790

Official recalls

3

02V120000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

May 16, 2002

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

99V069000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

May 10, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

98V231000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Sep 22, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN, COUPE AND WAGON PASSENGER VEHICLES EXCEPT THE DX MODEL AND MODELS WITH V6 ENGINES. THE FACTORY INSTALLED AIR CONDITIONER WIRE HARNESS WAS IMPROPERLY ROUTED ALLOWING SOME WIRES TO RUB AGAINST EACH OTHER, EVENTUALLY CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SHORT CIRCUIT CANPOSSIBLY CAUSE THE UNDERHOOD WIREING TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE, CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN ALSO RESULT IN A BLOWN FUSE OR DEAD BATTERY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THESE WIRES. ANY HARNESS IMPROPERLY ROUTED WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND THE ROUTING WILL BE CORRECTED. IF ANY INSULATION IS WORN THROUGH AND THE COPPER WIRES ARE EXPOSED, THE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL PLASTIC TUBING TO PROTECT THE HARNESS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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