NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Honda Accord. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
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
1997 HONDA ACCORD. CONSUMER EXPRESSES DISCONTENT WITH A DISPUTE WITH AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR COMPANY REGARDING A RECALL REPAIR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AMERICAN HONDA INFORMED THEM THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN CANADA. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WOBBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WAS A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V069000 (COMPONENT: SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
HONDA ACCORD 1997, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LOOSING GEARS, UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SAFE HIGHWAY SPEED AND ASSOCIATED HIGH RISK MANEUVERS TO EXIT THE DRIVE LANES ONTO A SHOULDER. THIRD INCIDENT, THIRD REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION FOR THE SAME REASON. ALL HAD SUGGESTED MANUFACTURES MAINTENANCE AND SERVICE PERFORMED. *TR
ONE OF THE SEAT BELT AT THE BACK DOESNT RETRACT. ITS JUST DANGLING. I HAVE HARDLY USED THIS SEAT BELT HOWEVER WHEN USED SPARINGLY THE SEAT BELT GOT STUCK DIDNT RETRACT. *TR
MY 1997 HONDA ACCORD WOULD OCCASIONALLY NOT START. THEN WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE WILL QUIETLY SHUTOFF WITHOUT STALLING OR MISFIRING. NOW CAR WILL SHUT OFF AFTER STARTING WHEN IGNITION SWITCH GOES BACK TO "RUN' OR "ON" POSITION. *TR
1997 HONDA ACCORD COUPE, 2.2L, DX TRIM IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. FIANCE' AND HER DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN THE ENGINE JUST "DIED", NO POWER, NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATIONS, ETC. VEHICLE DID/DOES RESTART AT THIS TIME. THIS IS IDENTICAL TO THE HONDA CAMPAIGN RECALL #02V120000 WHICH COVERS SOME HONDAS OF THIS YEAR/MODEL. I CONTACTED HONDA AND WAS BASICALLY BLOWN OFF... "SORRY, THIS RECALL DOESN'T COVER YOUR PARTICULAR VEHICLE'S VIN." FAILURE OCCURS FREQUENTLY, AT RANDOM, NO PARTICULAR INDICATORS THAT IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. CONSEQUENCES COULD BE FATAL IF THIS FAULT OCCURRED IN AN INTERSECTION, WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE, ETC. BECAUSE HONDA WOULD NOT MAKE SAFE THEIR FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH, I REPLACED THE SWITCH AT MY EXPENSE AT APPROXIMATELY $60/PART, PLUS MY TIME. HONDA CHARGES $211 TO REPAIR THIS, SO THE "TOTAL" REPAIR COST WITH MY PARTS/LABOR IS $211. I DID NOT SAVE THE PART UNFORTUNATELY, NOT THINKING OF NOTIFYING YOU UNTIL TOO LATE. THE FINAL "DYING" THAT OCCURRED ON 9/18/2010 WAS THE LAST STRAW. IT WOULD BE GREAT IF OTHERS SUFFERING FROM THIS OBVIOUS FAULT COULD BE REIMBURSED OR PREVENTED FROM HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
THE SRS LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND HE SAID THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SRS MODULE COMPUTER WHICH MEANS THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEYS BECAME LODGED IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD NOT RELEASE UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME HOT AND THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT AND A GASKET WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET, WATER PUMP, THERMOSTAT AND TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
I HAVE NOTED THAT I CAN REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION OF MY 1997 HONDA ACCORD WITHOUT BEING IN PARK. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THE DRIVER TURN OFF THE ENGINE, REMOVE THE KEY (NOT IN PARK), LEAVE THE CAR AND THE CAR CAN THEN ROLL AWAY. THIS IS THE SAME SAFETY DEFECT THAT IS NOW BEING RECALLED ON THE 2003 HONDA. *TR
MY 1997 HONDA ACCORD EX WITH 107,000 MILES THAT I HAD OWNED SINCE BRAND NEW AND HAD SERVICED ROUTINELY DEVELOPED AN ABS BRAKING PROBLEM. MY BRAKES WERE DETERMINED TO BE OK AND THE ABS LIGHT DID NOT COME ON, BUT WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES THEY WOULD MAKE A LOUD AND SLOW "CLICK CLICK" SOUND, THE ABS BUZZING SOUND OCCURRED, THE BRAKES WOULD PUSH UP AND THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD. DEALER REPLICATED THE ISSUE AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS LIKELY THE MODULATOR NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE ON HERE- PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT LOCK. HE HAD TO TURN IT COMPLETELY OFF IN ORDER FOR THE KEY TO COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WITHOUT BEING IN PARK. THE FAILURE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE VEHICLE ROLL AWAY AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH TO OCCUR. HONDA STATED THAT THEY COULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE AND THE REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 115,000. UPDATED 11/12/10 *CN UPDATED 11/16/10*JB
I HAVE HAD MY 1997 HONDA ACCORD LX 4CYL FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS. I HAVE SEARCHED THIS PROBLEM JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE, AND WHILE I'VE SEEN THE PROBLEM REPORTED IN HUNDREDS OF HONDA OWNERS, I HAVE YET TO SEE A SOLID SOLUTION. PROBLEM: CAR SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, STRONG FUEL/GAS SMELL WHEN THIS HAPPENS, DASH LIGHTS SHUTTING OFF AND GOING BLACK, DOOR LOCKS JUMPING UP AND DOWN MY CAR IS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING - WHETHER I'M ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, OR GOING 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE BEEN BLESSED NOT TO BE HIT BY ANOTHER CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT SOMETIMES STARTS RIGHT BACK UP, BUT AFTER A FEW TIMES, IT TAKES ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO BE ABLE TO START. THE ENGINE WILL STIR AROUND, BUT IT WON'T FIRE UP AND ACTUALLY START. TWENTY MINUTES LATER OR SO, IT STARTS.. AND THEN WE MAY MAKE IT TO OUR DESTINATION WITHOUT STALLING AGAIN. OH, AND I CAN'T FORGET THE STRONG SCENT OF FUEL IN THE AIR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT STARTED AS A SPORADIC THING THAT HAPPENED WHENEVER I DROVE LONG DISTANCE (AN HOUR OR MORE) OR WHENEVER I WAS AT 1/4 OF A TANK. MORE RECENTLY, I CAN HARDLY DRIVE AT ALL. I TRIED TO LEAVE TODAY, AND I DIDN'T MAKE IT DOWN THE STREET WITHOUT THE CAR SHUTTING OFF TWICE. THE CAR IS NOT OVERHEATING, THERE'S PLENTY OF GAS IN THE TANK... YET WHEN I DRIVE, THE DASH LIGHTS GO OUT, THE RPM JUMPS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND FINALLY TO 0. THE CAR WORKS FINE WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD (FIRST THING IN THE MORNING), BUT AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WARMS TO A NORMAL LEVEL, THIS HAPPENS. I'VE BEEN STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY MORE TIMES THEN I CARE TO ADMIT... BY MYSELF, WITH MY CHILDREN, IN 101 DEGREE HEAT.. ETC. WHAT WE'VE DONE (UNSUCCESSFULLY): * I ALREADY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY RAN MY VIN AND SAID THAT THE RECALLS HAVE ALL BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND REPLACED ON MY CAR PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. * REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES * MAJOR TUNE-UP * REPLACED RELAY SWITCH * REPLACED FUEL FILTER. *TR
MY 1997 HONDA ACCORD DIES WHILE DRIVING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY SHOULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE UNLESS THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WAS IN PARK. HE STATED THAT THE KEY CAME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING WHICH CAUSED UNSAFE CONDITIONS. UPDATED 08/24/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/25/10*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY. NO WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. ON OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART IMMEDIATELY AND OTHER TIMES, IT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALLS AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED AND ALSO REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ALSO ADVISED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL AND HE WOULD BE LIABLE FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,500.
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
HONDA RECOMMENDS REPLACING TIMING BELT, BALANCER BELT AND WATER PUMP AT 7 YEARS OR 105,000 MILES ON THE 1997 HONDA ACCORD. I HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THEM ALL AT 7 YEARS AND 36,139 MILES, IN 2004. THE REPLACEMENT WATER PUMP FAILED PREMATURELY IN JUST OVER FIVE YEARS AND 39,618 MILES LATER. EARLIER THIS YEAR I KEPT SEEING COOLANT UNDER THE CAR. I HAD THE DEALER INSTALL NEW BELTS AND A NEW WATER PUMP. THE NEW PUMP FAILED RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX SPILLING COOLANT ON THE NEW BELTS. SO, THE DEALER REMOVED THE NEW BELTS, INSTALLED ANOTHER NEW WATER PUMP AND THEN REINSTALLED THE SAME BELTS. I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS WILL AFFECT TO THE LONGEVITY OF THE NEW BELTS. ALSO, MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT THE TIMING BELT IS DRIVING THE WATER PUMP, AND THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY IS HIDDEN UNDER A COVER. IF THE WATER PUMPS STARTS FAILING, HOT COOLANT WILL SPILL ON THE TIMING AND THE BALANCER BELTS CAUSING THEM TO WEAKEN OVER TIME, AND THEY CAN EITHER SLIP OR BREAK CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE SEE RELATED PHOTOS: HTTP://WWW.HONDA-TECH.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=1908944 I BELIEVE THIS IS A POOR DESIGN THAT CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL SUDDENLY. IT SEEMS THAT HONDAS FROM 1992 TO 2002 USE THE SAME BASIC CONCEALED PUMP DESIGN. NOTE: THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED AT 36,139 (PREVENTIVE MEASURE) AND IT FAILED AT 75,757 OR LESS THAN 40,00 LATER!!! UPDATED 05/11/10.8JB
TWICE DURING REGULAR DRIVING - ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH AND ONCE WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY - THE CAR ENGINE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN - BRAKING DID NOT HELP. HAD TO PUT IN NEUTRAL AND TAP BRAKES 3-4 TIMES. NO INJURIES/ACCIDENTS BUT IT IS WORRISOME. AND I WAS NOT EVEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL DOWN MORE - OTHER THAN MAINTAINING SPEED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVE SHAFT DISENGAGED BECAUSE THE LEFT BALL JOINTS FAILED. THIS CONDITION CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 99V069000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LUNGE FORWARD SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN OR CLOSE THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW IT FAILED TO OPEN OR CLOSE COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89000.
AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 40MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY TEMPORARILY SHUT OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118000.
THE VEHICLE WAS STOP AND THE HORN STARTED WITH A REALLY LOUD NOISE THAT HURT MY EARS THEN I TRIED TO STOPPED WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR IT WAS FULL OF SMOKE IT REALLY SMELLED BAD MY HEAD FELT KIND OF WEAR WITH THE SMOKE IT MADE ME KIND OF DIZZY AND SLEEPY FROM THEN MY CAR DOESN'T WORK. *TR
ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. OCCURS UNEXPECTED AND WITH OUT ANY WARNING. INSTANCE OCCURS AT ALL SPEEDS AND LEAVES DRIVER IN POSSIBLE DEADLY SITUATION. FAILURE CORRECTED ON SIMILAR HONDA VEHICLES ON RECALL 02V120000 (IGNITION SWITCH) BUT NOT ALL MODELS INCLUDED AS IN MY VIN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN HE PLACED THE IGNITION IN THE LOCK POSITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. HE HAD TO TURN THE IGNITION SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE DEALER STATED THAT A NEW IGNITION SWITCH WOULD COST $500. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 12 YEARS OLD AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: SWITCH). THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. IN 2004, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO A RECALL FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE CONTACT TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING PLACED IN PARKED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE BUT THERE WERE NO DAMAGES. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE HAS HAPPENED 4 OR 5 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,348 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 01/21/11 *BF UPDATED 04/04/11
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE ROAD DECREASED. THE CONTACT DECIDED TO DECELERATE, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A TREE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED ANKLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 03/17/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/17/09. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD SE (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 45 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK GEAR THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 10V364000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 10/21/10. *LJ UPDATED 10/26/10*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AS IF THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF HERSELF. SHE STEERED THE VEHICLE INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND RESTARTED IT AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THE FIRST FAILURES OCCURRED 1-2 MONTHS APART. MOST RECENTLY, THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVERY OTHER DAY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FRIEND, WHO STATED THAT THE ISSUE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V120000 REGARDING THE IGNITION; HOWEVER, A FORMAL DIAGNOSIS WAS NEVER RECEIVED. THE LATEST OCCURRENCE WAS ON APRIL 16, 2009 WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 183,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS FOR LONGER THAN 30 MINUTES, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE RPM'S WERE HIGHER THAN NORMAL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 108,000. UPDATED 09/25/08 *BF THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 09/26/08. *JB
ONE MONTH AGO I HAD ONE TIRE FAIL BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE DILL TIRE STEM. TODAY (7/25/08) I HAD TWO TIRE STEMS FAIL AT SEPARATE TIMES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY RUINING BOTH TIRES WHICH WERE ONLY 1 YEAR OLD AND IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. WHILE CHANGING MY TIRES THE MAINTENANCE MAN TESTED THE FOURTH TIRE AND WITH SLIGHT FINGER PRESSURE THE STEM BROKE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAUSED THE FUSE TO BLOW AND THE AIR COMPRESSOR TO FAIL. SECONDLY, A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD); THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 98,000.
I HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS: 1) THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT I NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER AT A COST OF $900. I RESEARCHED POSSIBLE PROBLEMS ON THIS AND OTHER WEBSITES AND HAD LISTED THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS THAT WERE RELEVANT. THE DEALER WAS NOT SO THOROUGH. MY RESEARCH SHOWED THAT HONDA HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEM WITH THESE COMPUTERS ALREADY FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE PROBLEM WAS WITH A SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WHICH WAS MALFUNCTIONING IN SUCH A WAY AS TO LEAVE IN DOUBT WHETHER OR NOT THE AIR BAG WOULD DEPLOY. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT CONSUMERS HAVE TO PAY NEARLY 1,000.00 TO FIX SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS IN A SAFETY SYSTEM THAT HAVE REPEATEDLY NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. 2) MY ABS LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE THE PUMP MOTOR FOR THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD ACTIVATE AND ATTEMPT TO PUMP FLUID IN THE SYSTEM. IT COULD BE HEARD FROM INSIDE THE CAR AS A GRINDING NOISE. IT WOULD CYCLE ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 6 OR SO TIMES THEN THE RELAY WOULD TRIP, TURN OFF MOTOR AND ILLUMINATE THE ABS LIGHT. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE AMS MODULE WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF 1,700.00. RIDICULOUS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS ALSO A COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR. 3) WIRELESS ENTRY SYSTEM FAILED. 4) A/C EVAPORATOR SPRUNG A LEAK 5) DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR AUTO LOCK DOES NOT WORK. THIS CAR IS FAR FROM RELIABLE, AS ADVERTISED TO BE, AND VERY QUESTIONABLE IN THE SAFETY DEPARTMENT. I AM FINISHED WITH HONDA! *TR
I HAD TO SPLIT UP MY COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF THE SIZE RESTRICTION ON THE DESCRIPTION FIELD. IN ADDITION TO THE IGNITION COIL PROBLEM DESCRIBED BELOW I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SRS SYSTEM, ABS SYSTEM, WIRELESS ENTRY SYSTEM, AIR CONDITIONER, AND THE AUTO DOOR LOCKS (ALL OF WHICH ARE DESCRIBED IN ANOTHER COMPLAINT). FOR A LONG TIME THE TACHOMETER BEHAVED RANDOMLY. IT WOULD SURGE THEN FALL TO ZERO. FOR PERIODS OF TIME IT BEHAVED NORMALLY. THERE WAS NO PATTERN TO THE BEHAVIOR. INITIALLY THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE WAS NOMINAL. OVER TIME THE ENGINE BEGAN SURGING AND STALLING, NOT NECESSARILY IN RHYTHM WITH THE TACHOMETER, NOR EXHIBITING SUCH BEHAVIOR WHEN THE TACH WAS ACTING UP. AGAIN THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS PATTERN. FINALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON REFERENCING A TRANSMISSION CODE THAT REFERRED TO THE IGNITION COIL. INTERESTINGLY ONCE THE CODE WAS CLEARED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHEN OUT AND DID NOT ILLUMINATE FOR SOME TIME. THE NEXT TIME IT ILLUMINATED IT EVENTUALLY TURNED ITSELF OUT. I FINALLY TOOK THE CAR TO THE DETAILER. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE IGNITION COIL WAS NOT TALKING TO THE TACH AND THE COMPUTER COULD NOT READ THE ENGINE IDLE SPEED. CONSEQUENTLY IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL AS IT EVIDENTLY HAD AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. I AM STILL RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT APPEARS THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR 1997 HONDA ACCORDS' ENGINES SURGING AND STALLING AND IN SOME CASES CAUSING ACCIDENTS. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT SAFE AND DEFINITELY UNACCEPTABLE. AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, I AM THROUGH WITH HONDA!!!!! *TR
1997 HONDA ACCORD VEHICLE WITH A LEAKING AND CORRODED RADIATOR. CONSUMER STATES THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED IN 2008 AND NOW IT IS LEAKING AGAIN. THERE IS CORROSION ON THE BACK AND FRONT OF THE RADIATOR. *KB THE THERMOSTAT WAS STUCK OPEN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC RESET THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND STATED THAT IF THE FAILURE PERSISTED, THE SRS MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT RE-ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
THE SRS (AIRBAGS) LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS. IT INDICATES THE AIRBAGS ARE MALFUNCTION. INITIALLY, I ATTEMPTED TO RE-SET THE LIGHT TWICE, BUT IT CAME BACK SHORTLY AFTER RESETTING. AFTER SEARCHING THROUGH INTERNET AND NHTSA WEBSITE HERE, I REALIZE THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH 1997 HONDA ACCORD MODEL. SINCE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND IS NOT DRIVERS FAULT, HONDA SHOULD HOLD THE RESPONSIBILITY AND ISSUE A RECALL TO REPAIR IT. *TR
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED HONDA ACCORD AND NOTICED THE SRS LIGHT WAS ON. SUBSEQUENT RESEARCH REVEALED THAT THE CONTROL MODULE IS DEFECTIVE AND HONDA DOES NOT COVER ITS REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY WITH THE SRS LIGHT ON. HONDA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL YEARS--OBVIOUSLY, THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN MEETING THE SAFETY STANDARDS THAT THE NHTSA OR DOT SETS AND DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR PASSENGERS. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE PEOPLE DIE UNNECESSARILY. *JB
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OVER 2-3 MONTHS IN 2007. IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED IN 03/07 PER RECALL ON 1997 HONDA CRV. IN 06/07, VEHICLE STALLED TWICE WHILE DRIVING ALONG WITH ERRATIC TACHOMETER MOVEMENT AND VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND STARTED. CURRENTLY AT DEALER, DIAGNOSED WITH FAILURE OF IGNITION COIL . NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. *AK
HONDA MISSED A RECALL ON AN IGNITION SWITCH THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED ME A FATAL ACCIDENT AS THE CAR WAS STOPPING ON THE FREEWAY ONCE AT FULL SPEED 65+ MPH I BROUGHT THE CAR IN WITH DETAIL OF THE PROBLEM "THE CAR DYING' AND THEY MISDIAGNOSED IT AND FAILED TO SEE THE RECALL WHICH THEY WOULD HAVE HAD ACCESS TO ONCE THEY INPUT THE VIN - HONDA THEN REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME THE MONEY I PAID FOR THE UNNECESSARY AND UNSUCCESSFUL WORK THAT THEY DID. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH OR GREATER, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE PGMFI RELAY WAS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 71 MPH AND ENTERING HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH WAS SHUT OFF IN ORDER TO DECELERATE, BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT RESPONSIVE AT ALL. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REAR-END ANOTHER VEHICLE, BOUNCE OFF, AND HIT A THIRD. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE, BUT WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. UPDATED 2/9/2007 - *NM
TIRE BLEW OUT ON HIGHWAY AND RIPPED APART AT TREAD. TIRES ARE NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD. TIRES WERE BOUGHT AT PEP BOYS AND THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE TIRE. I DID LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR BUT LUCKILY I WAS NOT DRIVING FAST. *JB
AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON. THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. THIS PUTS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AT RISK OF DEATH AND OR SERIOUS INJURY. THIS FALLS UNDER NHTSA LIST OF SAFETY RELATED DEFECTS. THIS ITEM NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED ASAP. THE DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR AT NO COST TO ME. ALSO CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. THEY STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER ANY AMOUNT TO FIX THE AIR BAGS. EVEN AFTER I INFORMED THEM THAT THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES PLUS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT I AM AT HIGH RISK OF DEATH OR BEING CRITICALLY INJURED. THEY HAVE LEFT ME WITH OUT ANY OTHER OPTION BUT TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. I HOPE THAT THEY WILL FOLLOW NHTSA PROCEDURES BY DOING WHAT THE LAW REQUIRES AND STOP IGNORING THERE RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT CRITICAL SAFETY RELATED DEFECTS. *NM
I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY 1997 HONDA ACCORD EX COUPE. I HAD MY TRANSMISSION SERVICED RECENTLY AND APPARENTLY THE CODE P0740 CAME UP WHICH IS RELATED TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER. WITH MANY HOURS OR RESEARCH AND SPEAKING WITH AMERICAN HONDA THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH ALL THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ON HONDAS 1997 AND NEWER. THIS PROBLEM RESULTS IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDING REPLACEMENT. THE CLUTCH SLIPS AND TAKES SHARDS OF METAL OFF LEADING TO A CLOG IN THE FILTER. THE PROBLEM WILL CAUSE TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT ANY TIME. WHEN I CALLED AMERICAN HONDA THEY WERE UNWILLING TO HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE. THEY STATED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY WOULD DO FOR ME. MY ONLY OPTION NOW IS TO SPEND 3000.00 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WHICH SEEMS UNFAIR SINCE THE CAR IS IN OTHERWISE FANTASTIC SHAPE. *NM
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026