1997 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
1997 · All trims · All engines
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1997 Honda Accord has 7 documented known issues, with 5 rated critical. The most serious are Ignition Switch Can Wear Out and Cause the Engine to Stall (Recall 02V120000), Honda Accord front lower ball joint wear and separation — NHTSA safety recall 99V069000, Ignition Distributor Internal Failure (Igniter/Coil) - Stalling and No-Start ($120-$500 repair), Timing Belt Neglect on Interference Engine (Catastrophic Valve Damage) ($500-$900 repair) and Automatic Transmission Slipping / Failure (4-Speed, V6 Worst) ($1,800-$3,500 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $3,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1997 Honda Accord has 7 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Ignition Switch Can Wear Out and Cause the Engine to Stall (Recall 02V120000), Honda Accord front lower ball joint wear and separation — NHTSA safety recall 99V069000, Ignition Distributor Internal Failure (Igniter/Coil) - Stalling and No-Start. Of these, 5 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 1997 Honda Accord has 7 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 5 issues are rated critical: Ignition Switch Can Wear Out and Cause the Engine to Stall (Recall 02V120000) and Honda Accord front lower ball joint wear and separation — NHTSA safety recall 99V069000 and Ignition Distributor Internal Failure (Igniter/Coil) - Stalling and No-Start and Timing Belt Neglect on Interference Engine (Catastrophic Valve Damage) and Automatic Transmission Slipping / Failure (4-Speed, V6 Worst). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Honda Accord issues range from $50 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
1997-1999 Honda Accords are among the vehicles named in NHTSA recall 02V120000. The problem is wear inside the ignition switch: the high electrical current that flows through the switch each time the Accord is started degrades its electrical contacts. Degraded contacts can cut po… Severity: high.
Recall 99V069000 covers 1997 and 1998 Honda Accords for a front suspension lower ball joint that can wear out prematurely. The worst-case outcome named in the recall is the ball joint separating, which lets the front suspension collapse. From behind the wheel, NHTSA says the cond… Severity: high.
Four-cylinder 5th/6th-gen Accords use a cam-driven distributor that houses the ignition coil, igniter (ignition control module/ICM), and pickup inside one unit. The internal igniter and coil are heat-sensitive and commonly break down as the engine warms, causing intermittent misf… Repairs typically run $120-$500. Severity: high.
Every 1990s Accord four-cylinder (F22/F23) and the J30 V6 uses a rubber timing belt, and all are INTERFERENCE engines: if the belt snaps or jumps, pistons strike open valves and cause major internal damage (bent valves, often piston/head damage). The four-cylinders also drive a s… Repairs typically run $500-$900. Severity: high.
The Honda 4-speed automatic in the mid-to-late 1990s Accord is prone to slipping and outright failure, typically around/after 100,000 miles. As the internal clutch material wears, debris circulates in the fluid and clogs the shift solenoids, causing harsh or delayed shifts, flari… Repairs typically run $1,800-$3,500. Severity: high.
The PGM-FI main relay powers the fuel pump and ECU. On these cars the relay's internal printed-circuit-board solder joints develop hairline cracks with age and heat. When the engine bay or cabin gets hot, the board expands and the cracked joints open, cutting power to the fuel pu… Repairs typically run $50-$250. Severity: medium.
High-mileage 1990s Accord four-cylinders commonly develop a puff of blue smoke on cold startup: worn valve-stem seals let oil seep past the valves into the combustion chamber while the car sits, and it burns off the first minute after start. Separately, the valve-cover gasket har… Repairs typically run $150-$1,200. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
