Complaints
546
Crashes
51
Fires
12
Injuries
38
Fatalities
9
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Honda Accord Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#166 complaints
Airbags
Avg mileage:83,074 mi
Crash-related:2
#232 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:157,901 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:4
#332 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Avg mileage:129,726 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Honda Accord.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 66 | 2 | — | 83,074 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 32 | 1 | 4 | 157,901 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 32 | — | — | 129,726 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 32 | 14 | — | 150,730 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 27 | 12 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 19 | — | 1 | 70,084 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 17 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 17 | 3 | — | 111,650 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 16 | 1 | — | 127,676 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 14 | — | — | 122,875 mi | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 13 | — | — | 60,537 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 13 | — | 1 | 86,373 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 13 | — | — | 93,283 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 11 | 1 | — | 40,000 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 10 | — | 1 | 155,771 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 10 | 1 | — | 115,838 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 8 | 1 | — | 140,000 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | — | 94,494 mi | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 5 | — | — | 76,000 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | — | — | — |
Airbags
66
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,074
Electrical Faults
32
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Avg Miles
157,901
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
32
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
129,726
Unintended Acceleration
32
complaints
Crashes
14
Fires
—
Avg Miles
150,730
Air Bags:Frontal
27
complaints
Crashes
12
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
70,084
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
17
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
111,650
Electrical System:Ignition
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
127,676
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
122,875
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,537
Transmission / Drivetrain
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
86,373
Automatic Transmission
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
93,283
Tire Defects
11
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
40,000
Engine Problems
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
155,771
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
115,838
Suspension:Front
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
140,000
Seat Belt Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
94,494
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
76,000
Electrical System:Wiring
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Honda Accord. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Honda Accord Years
1997 Honda Accord — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Honda Accord reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1997 Honda Accord has 546 NHTSA complaints, 51 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 66 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Honda Accord?
Top reported problems: Airbags (66 complaints, avg 83,074 mi); Electrical Faults (32 complaints, avg 157,901 mi); Electrical System:Ignition:Switch (32 complaints, avg 129,726 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Honda Accord?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 109,932 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Honda Accord?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Honda Accord include 51 crash-related reports, 12 fire reports, 38 injuries, and 9 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Honda Accord have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Honda Accord as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Honda Accord?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Honda Accord reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Honda Accord
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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