1997 HONDA CRV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF, WHILE DRIVING.
1997 Honda CR-V
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Fewer warning signs than most model years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Honda CR-V are lower than the model-year median of 400.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all CR-V years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 25 of 108 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.
- Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seats. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
108 reportsTHE CAR STALLED AT 35 MPH AND THEN RESTARTED. IT DOES THIS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS, I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS ADDRESSED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A LOUD METAL ON METAL NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT WAS DEFECTIVE AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. IN ADDITIO…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A LOUD METAL ON METAL NOISE EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT WAS DEFECTIVE AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT AND DRIVE SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AS IF THE IGNITION HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. LIGHTS WERE ON, RADIO WAS ON BUT ENGINE STALLED AND STEERING WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED FROM ROUGHLY 65MPH TO 45MPH AT WHICH POINT I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BY TURNING THE KEY. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IM…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AS IF THE IGNITION HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. LIGHTS WERE ON, RADIO WAS ON BUT ENGINE STALLED AND STEERING WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED FROM ROUGHLY 65MPH TO 45MPH AT WHICH POINT I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BY TURNING THE KEY. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AND I WAS IMMEDIATELY TO ACCELERATE TO THE ORIGINAL SPEED. *TR
IGNITION SWITCH FOR A 1997 HONDA CRV WITHOUT WARNING OR ANY INDICATION THE CAR WILL STOP THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION DRIVING ON ANY ROAD TODAY. HONDA SHOULD HAVE ACKNOWLEDGE WAY BEFORE IT EVER GOT STARTED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHIFTED, AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. INITIALLY, HE WOULD BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHIFTED, AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. INITIALLY, HE WOULD BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER 2 OR 3 ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED AND TOOK 20-30 ATTEMPTS TO START AGAIN AND WOULD ONLY DRIVE A FEW FEET AFTERWARDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 20 TIMES; THEREFORE, HE STOPPED USING THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER AND FUEL PUMP, WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE DEALER REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH), BUT THEY DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. INSTEAD, THE CONTACT WAS CHARGED OVER $300. HE SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,500.
VEHICLE WILL STALL AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO WHILE IDLE. TYPICALLY, THERE IS NO WARNING BUT IN SOME CASES THE RPM'S WILL DROP AND THEN RETURN TO CURRENT RATE, WITH THE WHOLE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTTING OFF SECONDS LATER. TURN SIGNALS, RADIO, POWER STEERING ARE ALL DISABLED. HEADLIGHTS STAY ON, EMERGENCY FLASHERS STIL…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE WILL STALL AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO WHILE IDLE. TYPICALLY, THERE IS NO WARNING BUT IN SOME CASES THE RPM'S WILL DROP AND THEN RETURN TO CURRENT RATE, WITH THE WHOLE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTTING OFF SECONDS LATER. TURN SIGNALS, RADIO, POWER STEERING ARE ALL DISABLED. HEADLIGHTS STAY ON, EMERGENCY FLASHERS STILL WORK, AND HEATER, IF ON, STILL WORKS AS WELL. IT USUALLY TAKES ABOUT 5 OR 6 TRYS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN SOME CASES, IT WILL REOCCUR IMMEDIATELY AFTER CONTINUING TO DRIVE. REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE AND THAT STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS PRESENTLY. *NM
"RECALL CAMAIGN" CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH/ELECTRICAL: CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER A SAFETY RECALL. HOWEVER, I COULD NOT FIND THAT RECALL NUMBER. THE PROBLEM EMERGED AGAIN. VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. *AK NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V120000. THE ORIGINAL IGNITION WAS REPLACE AND THE NEW…
Read full complaint
"RECALL CAMAIGN" CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH/ELECTRICAL: CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS WAS REPLACED UNDER A SAFETY RECALL. HOWEVER, I COULD NOT FIND THAT RECALL NUMBER. THE PROBLEM EMERGED AGAIN. VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. *AK NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 02V120000. THE ORIGINAL IGNITION WAS REPLACE AND THE NEW IGNITION WAS THE ONE THAT FAILED. HONDA DID NOT CARE TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER BECAUSE THEIR OBLIGATION WAS FULFILLED. *TC
THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AT ABOUT 45 MPH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR CHECK UP, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE BOLTS ON THE RACK AND PINION BROKE OFF.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG LIGHT (SRS) ILLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP RESET THE ELECTRICAL SRS MODULE THREE TIME AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $90.00 EACH TIME. DEALER INDICATED THERE WAS NO TBS OR RECALL ON THIS COMPONENT. *AK
Official recalls
220V026000 · 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.
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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration