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1997 Honda Civic

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Civic years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Honda Civic are substantially higher than the model-year median of 183.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 93 of 373 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 140 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

67 crash reports2 fire reports42 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

30 reports
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68,069 miles · Oct 15, 2004
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat BeltsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A POT HOLE, AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK, AND PASSENGER STRUCK HIS FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. *AK THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10092582

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2003
Electrical SystemCrash

AFTER RECALL REPAIR OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, 02 120 000, IT MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING IN THE PARK GEAR. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10015511

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2002
Electrical System

CONSUMER STATED HAD IGNITION SWITCH RECALL 02V120000 REMEDIED ON 10/4/02. SINCE THEN CAN START VEHICLE FINE, BUT INTERMITTENLY HAVE TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN VEHICLE OFF. SWITCH WILL NOT TURN. TS

NHTSA ODI #8023755

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2002
Air BagsElectrical System

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON ALL DAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND IT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED, OR AIR BAGS WILL MALFUNCTION IN A CRASH.*AKVEHICLE OWNER HAS BEEN SENT A FREE SERVICE REMINDER FOR TECHNICAL PROBLEMS WITH ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC, THAT…

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AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON ALL DAY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND IT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED, OR AIR BAGS WILL MALFUNCTION IN A CRASH.*AKVEHICLE OWNER HAS BEEN SENT A FREE SERVICE REMINDER FOR TECHNICAL PROBLEMS WITH ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC, THAT CAUSES IT TO NOT COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL CLEAN AIR ACT. *JG

NHTSA ODI #8010222

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2002
Electrical SystemInterior Lighting

WHEN DRIVING HEADLIGHTS AND INSTURMENT PANAL GET REALLY BRIGHT AND GO BACK TO NORMAL LIKE THEY FLICKER BRIGHT HAVE CHANGED BOTH ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AND STILL DOES IT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #757355

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2001
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesVisibility

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN NOVEMBER OF 2000. DEALERSHIP TESTED BATTERY TO SEE IF THIS WAS CAUSE. MECHANIC REPLACED BATTERY, AND VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. MECHANICS THEN REPLACED ENTIRE ALTERNATOR, AND THIS CORRECTED DEFECT. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000 MILES ON ALTERNATOR WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *AK RUN CHANNEL A…

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VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN NOVEMBER OF 2000. DEALERSHIP TESTED BATTERY TO SEE IF THIS WAS CAUSE. MECHANIC REPLACED BATTERY, AND VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. MECHANICS THEN REPLACED ENTIRE ALTERNATOR, AND THIS CORRECTED DEFECT. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000 MILES ON ALTERNATOR WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *AK RUN CHANNEL AND REGULATOR FOR THE POWER WINDOW WAS REPLACED. HOOD RELEASE SNAPPED OFF WHEN CONSUMER PULLED IT. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRMENT OF THE ALTERNATOR. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #886087

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING 2.5 HOURS, SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER HOOD AND CAR MISFIRED REPEATEDLY. AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM NON-FUNCTIONAL; HALL HONDA ATTRIBUTES TO COOLING FAN FAILURE BUT IS RELUCTANT TO REPAIR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY CLAIMING PROBLEM IS RELATED TO PREVIOUS ACCIDENT DAMAGE THREE YEARS AGO ALTHOUGH ANOTHER MANAGER FROM…

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AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING 2.5 HOURS, SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER HOOD AND CAR MISFIRED REPEATEDLY. AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM NON-FUNCTIONAL; HALL HONDA ATTRIBUTES TO COOLING FAN FAILURE BUT IS RELUCTANT TO REPAIR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY CLAIMING PROBLEM IS RELATED TO PREVIOUS ACCIDENT DAMAGE THREE YEARS AGO ALTHOUGH ANOTHER MANAGER FROM SAME DEALERSHIP DISAGREES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #725264

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2000
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

SCOTT HONDA MAILED A POST CARD TO MY HOME IN FEB 2OOO FOR CAR RECALL. UPON CALLING HOINDA THE LEASE AGENT PUT ME ON HOLD AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE DEPT. SHE THEN PROCEEDED TO SAY THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE ENGINE PROBLEMS UNTIL MY CAR REACHED BETWEN 60,000-70,000 MILES. SHE STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD RUMBLE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WOU…

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SCOTT HONDA MAILED A POST CARD TO MY HOME IN FEB 2OOO FOR CAR RECALL. UPON CALLING HOINDA THE LEASE AGENT PUT ME ON HOLD AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE DEPT. SHE THEN PROCEEDED TO SAY THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE ENGINE PROBLEMS UNTIL MY CAR REACHED BETWEN 60,000-70,000 MILES. SHE STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD RUMBLE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WOUDL COME ON DUE TO FAULTY WIRING,ETC. I EXPALINED THAT MY CAR WAS SERVICE AND THE ENGINE LIHGT CAME ON DURING MY INSPECTION AND THAT I SPENT 450.00 ON GETTING MY CAR REWIRED ETC.. SHE EXPLAINED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE WIHT THE CAR AND IT WOULD OCCUR AT A HIGHER MILAGE AND TO BRING MY CAR IN. I ASKED HER WAHT TO DUE IN CASE I DON'T EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS OR IF I LOST MY RECALL POSTCARD . SHE STATED THAT IT WAS NO PROBLEM AND TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP MGR. AND THAT HE WOULD HONOR THE SITUATION AND GIVE ME A NEW POSTCARD.. UPON MY ENIGINE LIGHT TURING ON...AND MY CONTACTING HONDA SERIVE THE GENTLEMAN WAS RATHER SCARASTIC AND RUDE AND ACCUSED ME OF NOT TAKING CAR OF MY CAR AS WELL AS STATING THAT HE KNEW OF NO RECALLS FOR A 1997 CIVIC. WOULD SOMEONE BE SO KIND AS TO INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION?? HONDAS ARE RELIABLE CARS AND THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE PROBELEMS @ 3 YEARS OLD. IN ADDITION, MY AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATING SYSTEM ONLY LASTED APPROX. 2/12/ YEARS. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING ELECTRONICALLY WRONG WITH THIS MODEL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. SINCERELY, DEIDRE L. ADORE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #725027

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2000
Electrical System

VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATION, DEALER REPAIRED WIRING SYSTEM HOWEVER AFTER REPAIR THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE AS WELL, ADDITIONAL WIRING REPAIRS IN THE HARNESS COMPLETED, THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT DO WIRING REPAIRS PROPERLY AND HARNESS WAS BROKEN WITH SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS, VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE…

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VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATION, DEALER REPAIRED WIRING SYSTEM HOWEVER AFTER REPAIR THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE AS WELL, ADDITIONAL WIRING REPAIRS IN THE HARNESS COMPLETED, THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT DO WIRING REPAIRS PROPERLY AND HARNESS WAS BROKEN WITH SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS, VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS DUE TO DAMAGED WIRING HARNESS. *MJS

NHTSA ODI #551131

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 1999
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

HANSEL HONDA STATED TWO MONTHS AGO WHEN WE HAD THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT PROBLEM, THAT IT WAS A FAULTY ENGINE MODULE. THE CAR HAS HAD TWO START PROBLEMS FOR WHICH HANSEL HONDA STATED IT MAY BE DUE TO THE MODULE BUT WAS STILL BACK ORDERED. WITH THE SECOND START PROBLEM, ONE OF THE SERVICE STAFF STATED IT MAY BE THE MODULE PROBLE…

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HANSEL HONDA STATED TWO MONTHS AGO WHEN WE HAD THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT PROBLEM, THAT IT WAS A FAULTY ENGINE MODULE. THE CAR HAS HAD TWO START PROBLEMS FOR WHICH HANSEL HONDA STATED IT MAY BE DUE TO THE MODULE BUT WAS STILL BACK ORDERED. WITH THE SECOND START PROBLEM, ONE OF THE SERVICE STAFF STATED IT MAY BE THE MODULE PROBLEM BUT STATED THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING THE PART. THE OTHER SERVICE PERSON THAT VERY SAME DAY, STATED IT PROBABLY WASN'T THE MODULE AND THAT THE PART WAS STILL ON BACKORDER DUE TO HIGH INCIDENCE AND REQUESTS OTHER THAN HANSEL HONDA FOR REPLACEMENT MODULE FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART. HE STATED THEY COULDN'T GUARANTEE WHETHER THE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE STARTING WAS DUE TO THE MODULE OR NOT, BUT THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE FOR NOW. HANSEL HONDA STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS A PROBLEM NOT THEM AND STILL COULDN'T DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I ASKED THEM IF SO MANY HONDAS HAD BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALERS, WHY THEY HAVEN'T BEEN RECALLED. HE SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW. AS MENTIONED EARLIER, IT HAS BEEN 2 MONTHS SINCE THE PART WAS INITIALLY ORDERED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #714933

Official recalls

2

20V026000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 17, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

97V193000 · Air Bags:frontal

Nov 1, 1997

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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

1

SQ98012 · Condenser Fan Motor Inoperative

Opened Jun 30, 1998 · Closed Nov 2, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.

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