1997 Honda Civic

High concern

Owners filed 373 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. It has been recalled 16 times.

Not among the Honda Civic years to avoid. Which Honda Civic years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
88,000 milesMedian miles at failure

93 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.

Most common 1997 Honda Civic problems

137 of the 373 complaints (37%) are about the airbags.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags · airbags66
10111
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags50
37031
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration22
400
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module · airbags19
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission16
000
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls15
000
Tires13
102
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · throttle and acceleration12
200
Unknown or Other11
301
Tires › Tread/Belt8
000

1997 Honda Civic airbags problems

37% of all complaints

137 of the 373 complaints are about the airbags. This is what owners describe:

  • shows an airbag warning light35% · 48
  • sets off warning lights on the dash18% · 25
  • did not deploy its airbags in a crash15% · 21
  • set off an airbag for no reason5% · 7

Share of the 137 airbags complaints whose text describes each symptom. One complaint can describe several.

Typical mileage
90,000 mi
median of 45 reports
Peak year of filing
2002
21 airbags complaints that year
Crashes · fires · injuries
47 · 1 · 42
in these complaints
Recalls on the airbags
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 honda civic. The contact stated that the SRS light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 97v193000 (air bags). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000. Updated 9/9/14*cn updated 1/20/2015 *js”
Owner complaint, filed Aug 1, 2014 at 96,000 miles
“Air bag warning indicator came on while driving in the city, just prior to entering onto the highway (approx 25 MPH). I'm the only owner and have not had an accident with this car. Took it to a honda dealer who said that it was the driver's side curtain air bag, but the service advisor noted "we have no way to tell you what the actual issue is with the side curtain airbag without taking your car apart which will …”
Owner complaint, filed Jul 1, 2013 at 60,590 miles

Complaints and recalls over time

By year of filing
1997: 28 complaints, 9 about the airbags'971998: 20 complaints, 2 about the airbags1999: 40 complaints, 7 about the airbags2000: 63 complaints, 16 about the airbags2001: 42 complaints, 18 about the airbags'012002: 44 complaints, 21 about the airbags2003: 28 complaints, 5 about the airbags2004: 26 complaints, 12 about the airbags2005: 15 complaints, 9 about the airbags'052006: 13 complaints, 9 about the airbags2007: 5 complaints, 1 about the airbags2008: 8 complaints, 5 about the airbags2009: 4 complaints, 2 about the airbags'092010: 6 complaints, 2 about the airbags2011: 3 complaints, 0 about the airbags2012: 2 complaints, 1 about the airbags2013: 2 complaints, 1 about the airbags'132014: 4 complaints, 3 about the airbags2015: 4 complaints, 3 about the airbags2016: 5 complaints, 2 about the airbags2017: 3 complaints, 2 about the airbags'172018: 1 complaints, 0 about the airbags2019: 1 complaints, 1 about the airbags2020: 5 complaints, 5 about the airbags2021: 0 complaints, 0 about the airbags'212022: 1 complaints, 1 about the airbagsRecall 97V193000 (airbags)Recall 99E015000 (unknown or other)Recall 06E023000 (headlights)Recall 06E025000 (headlights)Recall 08E050000 (headlights)Recall 09E012000 (headlights)Recall 09E025000 (headlights)Recall 20V026000 (airbags)NHTSA investigation SQ98012
All complaintsAbout the airbagsRecall (red: the airbags)NHTSA investigation opened

Complaints about the 1997 Civic peaked in 2000, with 63 filed that year. Owners had filed 6 complaints about the airbags before the first recall that covers it, 97V193000 in November 1997; 131 more have come in since. In 2022 owners filed 1 so far.

16 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module20V026000
Filed Jan 17, 20201,439,841 vehiclesHonda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. 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.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights08E050000
Filed Aug 11, 20081,921 vehiclesK2 Motor Corporation

Defect. K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Exterior Lighting06E064000
Filed Jul 17, 20064,029 vehiclesTradesonic

Defect. CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Exterior Lighting06E060000
Filed Jun 29, 200687,745 vehiclesAai Motorsports USA, LLC

Defect. CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy. AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Exterior Lighting06E049000
Filed May 24, 200627,176 vehiclesCk Motorsport, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

Exterior Lighting06E044000
Filed May 22, 20061,215 vehiclesJ & A Auto Accessories

Defect. CERTAIN J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES AT 310-327-4981.

Exterior Lighting06E040000
Filed May 15, 20061,648 vehiclesE Speed Racing

Defect. CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.

Exterior Lighting06E038000
Filed May 8, 2006724 vehiclesAlfaotto Auto Accessories

Defect. CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.

Exterior Lighting06E032000
Filed Apr 18, 2006845 vehiclesTom Motorsport, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN EAGLE EYES AND SONAR HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON 1988-2005 HONDA CIVIC, 1990-2005 HONDA ACCORD, AND 1990-2001 ACURA INTEGRA PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. HEADLIGHTS AND CORNER LIGHTS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. TOM MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF NONCOMPLIANT LIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOM MOTORSPORT AT 626-968-4007.

Exterior Lighting06E026000
Filed Mar 23, 200661,944 vehiclesPro-A Motors, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights06E025000
Filed Mar 21, 20061,450 vehiclesPoli-Auto, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights06E023000
Filed Mar 13, 2006292,000 vehiclesAnzo USA, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Unknown or Other99E015000
Filed May 10, 1999943,005 vehiclesAmerican Honda Motor Co.

Defect. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: ACCESSORY DRIVER-SIDE FLOOR MATS USED IN 1996-1998 HONDA CIVIC VEHICLES. DUE TO THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR ON THESE VEHICLES, A MISPOSITIONED FLOOR MAT COULD INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Risk. THE FLOOR MAT COULD PREVENT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

Remedy. IF A CUSTOMER HAS A GENUINE HONDA DRIVER-SIDE FLOOR MAT, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A POSITIVE FLOOR MAT RETENTION SYSTEM CONSISTING OF A GROMMET IN THE FLOOR MAT AND A PIN BRACKET IN THE CAR.

Air Bags › Frontal97V193000
Filed Nov 1, 19979,558 vehiclesAmerican Honda Motor Co.

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

All 16 campaigns on file, newest first.

NHTSA investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Before a recall there is often an investigation: NHTSA opens one when complaints or manufacturer data point to a safety defect. One names the 1997 Civic.

CONDENSER FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVEInvestigation SQ98012Closed
Opened Jun 30, 1998Closed Nov 2, 1998equipment

See resume for details.

Technical service bulletins

132 on file

Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 1997 Civic. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.

transmission 20engine 19electrical system 16visibility 14body and frame 13equipment 10brakes 8fuel system 4
020103Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 1, 2003airbags

SRS INDICATOR ON WITH NO SRS DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC) SET. *TT *JB

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Mar 30, 2022CA

The contact owns a 1997 Honda Civic. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V026000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact then received a notice that the parts were available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it remained in their possession for three months due to the part for the vehicle not being available. The contact then signed a waiver to take liability for any air bag failure that may occur while in his possession. The contact also declined a buyback offer made by the manufacturer. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 28, 2020212,000 milesAZ

GOOD DAY: ON 17 MARCH 2020, HONDA ADVISED ME THAT MY 1997 CIVIC IS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL 20V-026, WHICH AFFECTS THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG MODULE. IN THE RECALL NOTICE, HONDA SAID THE REPAIR PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE, AND PROMISED TO NOTIFY ME WHEN THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS BECOME AVAILABLE. MORE THAN SIX MONTHS LATER, I AM STILL AWAITING WORD FROM HONDA ABOUT WHEN MY CAR CAN BE REPAIRED. MY HONDA DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. I THEREFORE WISH TO ISSUE A FORMAL COMPLAINT THAT HONDA HAS FAILED TO REMEDY THIS DEFECT WITHIN THE 60-DAY REASONABLE TIME PERIOD SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 15, 2020CO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. HONDA OF GREELEY (4535 W. 29TH ST, GREELEY, CO 80634) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 3, 2020CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. GARDENA HONDA LOCATED AT 15541 S WESTERN AVE, GARDENA, CA 90249 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT*JB

Air Bags
Filed Jun 23, 2020CA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NORM REEVES HONDA SUPERSTORE HUNTINGTON BEACH (19131 BEACH BLVD, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 92648, (888) 405-0115) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 5, 2020CA

I GOT A RECALL LETTER SAYING THEY DON'T HAVE MY PART AND I HAVE SIXTY DAYS TO REPLY BUT WITH THIS VIRUS HOW AND WHEN WILL THEY HAVE MY PART

Air Bags
Filed Oct 15, 2019CA

MY HONDA IS OVER 15 YEARS OLD. ARE THE AIRBAGS SAFE?

Exterior Lighting
Filed Dec 13, 20187,500 milesCO

HEADLIGHTS HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT OPERATE ON LOW BEAMS. ONLY ON HIGHBEAMS AND EVEN AFTER FACTORY REPLACEMENT. BLINKERS DO NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY AND SEEM TO CHANGE TIMING PATTERN WHEN REAR BLUBS ARE CHANGED FOR A SHORT TIME. ONE BLINKS AT A DIFFERENT TIME THAN THE OTHER EXCEPT WHEN THE FLASHERS ARE ON. IT BLINKS FASTER IN IDLE AT AT STOP LIGHT BUT AS SOON AS YOU ACCELERATE IT SLOWS DOWN. THESE ARE THE AMBER SIDE HEADLIGHTS BUT ON HIGHBEAMS AMBER DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY. MY VIN HOWEVER DOES NOT SHOW UP ON HE RECALL. HOW CAN I GET THIS REPAIRED? I'VE HAD THE CAR SINCE 1999 AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION EXCEPT WHEN MY MILEAGE MAINTENANCE IS DUE. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIRBAG ISSUE AS WELL BUT HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW TO GET IT CHECKED AND IF NEEDED REPLACEMENT BAGS AND LIGHTS PUT IN. PLEASE ADVISE (XXXX) THANK YOU PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Air Bags
Filed Dec 8, 2017158,000 milesOR

TAKATA RECALL? WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT THROUGH MY NEIGHBORHOOD BOULEVARD I FELL ASLEEP, CAUSING ME TO QUICKLY ACCELERATTE AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE WITNESSES AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE CAR. MY FACE AND BODY HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, RESULTING IN 4 TEETH KNOCKED OUT, 8 SPINE DISC HERNIATIONS AND INJURIES, A HEART CONTUSION, WHIPLASH, CONCUSSION, CRACKED COLLAR BONE, AND MUCH BRUISING, AND BROKEN EYE GLASSES, RETRIEVED BY AN ATTENDING NEIGHBOR WITNESS. I WAS TOLD BY AN ATTENDING EMT THAT IF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED THESE INJURIES WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. WHEN I ASKED MY INSURANCE AGENT HOW TO RETRIEVE MY PERSONAL ITEMS FROM THE CAR I WAS TOLD HE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS AND, WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE, MY INSURANCE CO. TRANSFERED MY HONDA TO THE WRECKING YARD TO BE FLATTENED. I SPOKE TO THE ACCIDENT ATTENDING RESCUE RESPONDERS AND FIREMEN. THEY SAID BASED ON THE WAY MY CAR HIT THE TREE HEAD ON AND THE IMPACT SPEED, THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED AND IF THE AIRBAGS WERE PRESENT IN THE CAR THEY MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE. I HAVE KEPT ALL WRITTEN PAPERWORK RESULTING FROM THIS ACCIDENT.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Sep 6, 2017TX

I ORDERED DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE VALUCRAFT BALL JOINT (PART NUMBER: VFA2084) FROM AUTOZONE.COM FOR MY CAR ,1997 HONDA CIVIC DX 2 DR COUPE ON 5/29/2016. THE BALL JOINTS WERE INSTALLED ON BOTH SIDES AND RAN FINE UNTIL ON 4/21/2017 BETWEEN 10-11PM PASSENGER SIDE VALUCRAFT BALL JOINT BROKE OFF BETWEEN STUD AND BALL WHILE I WAS MAKING LEFT TURN WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNS. PASSENGER SIDE CV AXLE WAS PULLED OUT OF TRANSMISSION AND BROKE APART AT INNER BOOT AREA. ABOUT 2/3 OF TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED OUT. PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FELL INWARD. THE CAR?S BODY AROUND PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AREA WAS DAMAGED. MY CAR COULDN?T BE MOVED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. FORTUNATELY, IT HAPPENED ON LOCAL ROAD AND NO OTHER CARS AROUND, OTHERWISE I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. *JS

Air Bags
Filed Jan 11, 2017169,000 milesIA

"TAKATA RECALL" MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF WHEN I WAS TURNING AND WENT OVER A A BUMP, AND CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD REALLY BAD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE SRS RED LIGHT HAD BEEN ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME BEFORE THIS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT BLEW A FUSE AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. I DID NOT FILE A POLICE REPORT BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE FOR THE CAR SO INSURANCE DID NOT NEED IT. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK AND WOULD HONK THE HORN WHEN I TRIED TO USE IT

Seat Belts
Filed Dec 19, 20161,003 milesMD

E-MAIL-[XXX].//.**[XXX]** INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Air BagsCrashFire1 injured
Filed Jun 3, 2016265,000 milesVA

TAKATA RECALL THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHERE IT HIT A GUARD RAIL, FLIPPED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE, NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED!! MY DAUGHTER HAD TO BE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH INJURIES.

Structure › Body
Filed May 4, 2016130,000 milesNY

THE ROOF AND DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BLACK PAINT PEELING. I HAVE SEEN A FEW OTHER SAME CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 4, 2016181,040 milesTX

TAKATA RECALL: ON 11/21/2012 MY SON WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HIM ON A HWY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 50 MPH. MY SON WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND STEER TO AVOID THE COLLISION BUT STILL IMPACTED THE OTHER CAR'S LEFT REAR QUARTER-PANEL. AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, HIS AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. HE RECEIVED MAJOR FACIAL LACERATIONS AND FRACTURES IN ADDITION TO AN GAPING WOUND IN HIS WRIST. HE WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL ATTORNEYS THAT SINCE HIS CAR HAD JUST PASSED THE STATUTE OF REPOSE GATE OF 15 YR, HE COULD NOT HOPE TO BRING SUIT AGAINST HONDA/TAKATA. TO DATE, THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY EFFORT TO EXTEND THE RECALL PRIOR TO 2002 FOR HONDA VEHICLES. WHEN THE EXTERNAL CAR DAMAGE IS COMPARED TO THE DAMAGE INSIDE HIS VEHICLE, HIS EXTENSIVE INJURIES, AND IMAGES OF THE AIR BAG HARDWARE ARE STUDIED, THERE IS SUFFICIENT REASON TO SUSPECT THE HONDA AIR BAG'S DETONATION RATHER THAN DEPLOYMENT WAS THE MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO MY SON'S INJURIES. I UNDERSTAND THE REASONING BEHIND A STATUTE OF REPOSE BUT IN THIS CASE SUSPECT A DESIGN DEFICIENCY EXISTED PRIOR TO THE CAR'S AGE EXCEEDING THE ARBITRARY 15 YR GATE.*DT*JB *TR

Structure › Body
Filed May 2, 201645,000 milesOR

I HAD CAR COMPUTER PROBLEMS, AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM AND PAINT ON CAR BODY IS CRACKING. THESE PROBLEMS STARTED TO HAPPEN GRADUALLY, COMPUTER PROBLEMS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD IN THE CITY; THE PAINT STARTED TO CRACK FOR MANY YEARS AND THE CAR LOOKS MISERABLE. THE AIR CONDITIONING BROKE DOWN DURING A SUMMER TIME, WHEN I HAD NO MONEY TO REPAIR IT AND HAD TO SUFFER DUE TO THE HIGH HEAT WEATHER. THERE IS ALSO A CRACK SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE, NOT SURE WHERE, WHICH CAN MAKE THINGS WORSE.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 13, 201555,000 milesMN

THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Jul 16, 2015166,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT A CRASH. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAG CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO FRACTURE. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED HAND INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 1, 2015168,000 milesCT

I GOT IN AN ACCIDENT BY MYSELF WHEN A DEER JUMPED OUT AND I SWERVED AND HIT A TREE. THE AIR BAG BLEW UP AND I HAVE BURNS ON MY FACE NECK AND ARM AND A GASH ON MY HEAD.I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SHOWED THEM MY ARM. THEY WERE SHOCKED TO SEES THIRD DEGREE BURN ON MY ARM. SUCH A BURN THAT IT LEFT A LARGE HOLE THROUGH MY SWEATSHIRT. A CHARRED HOLE LIKE I WAS SET ON FIRE. THE NURSES AND DOCTORS SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN BEFORE FROM AN AIRBAG. MY CAR NEVER SET FIRE ONCE. I FEEL THE AIRBAGS ARE DEFECTIVE. *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 5, 20155,000 milesVA

DATE AND MILEAGE ARE APPROXIMATE. THIS WAS MY WIFE'S CAR WHICH I VERY SELDOM DROVE. NOT LONG AFTER THE CAR WAS NEW, I DROVE IT AND THE FOLLOWING HAPPENED (THE DATE I'VE LISTED IS ONLY APPROXIMATE): I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 20MPH AND HAD TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ENGINE RPM DID NOT SLOW DOWN TO IDLE, AND TRIED TO KEEP MOVING THE CAR FORWARD. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO KEEP FROM HAVING A CRASH. THIS IS NOT AN ACCELERATOR PEDAL PROBLEM AS I SHALL EXPLAIN LATER. I CALLED THE HONDA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO BRING THE CAR IN. I TOLD MY WIFE WHAT TO DO IF IT HAPPENED TO HER. EITHER IT NEVER HAPPENED TO HER OR IT DID AND SHE NEVER TOLD ME. MY WIFE DIED AT THE END OF JANUARY 2015. SINCE THEN, I HAVE SOMETIMES DRIVEN HER CIVIC. ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS AGO THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED: I HAD DRIVEN SEVERAL MILES AND HAD TO STOP. THE ENGINE RPM DID NOT SLOW! I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE RPM IMMEDIATELY SLOWED TO IDLE. THIS IS NOT A STUCK ACCELERATOR PROBLEM BECAUSE, IF IT WERE, THE ENGINE RPM WOULD HAVE INCREASED WHEN I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. IT IS NOT A BRAKE PROBLEM UNLESS THE BRAKES ARE SOMEHOW PHYSICALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY CONNECTED TO THE ENGINE RPM. YESTERDAY, MARCH 4, 2015, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED TWICE AGAIN AFTER I HAD DRIVEN ONLY ABOUT 3 BLOCKS. IN BOTH CASES I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEAL

Air Bags
Filed Nov 20, 2014155,126 milesVA

SRS LIGHT LIT UP TO THIS DATE 11/20/2014. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Aug 5, 201496,102 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS SENSOR ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE MORE THAN ONCE. THE DEALER REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,102.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 1, 201496,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V193000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 9/9/14*CN UPDATED 1/20/2015 *JS

Electrical System
Filed May 17, 2014244,000 milesGA

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON NOW CAR WILL NOT START. NO FAULT OR CEL CODES. *JS

Engine
Filed Oct 23, 2013121,424 milesFL

THIS IS CAR 2. ON THE 10TH OF AUGUST, I TOOK THE SATURN IN AFTER I HAD PLACED THE CALL TO [XXX] THE GENTLEMAN THAT SOLD ME THE SATURN, ABOUT THE CAR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I WAS THEN GIVEN A 1997 HONDA CIVIC, I RESIGNED WHAT THE LOAN PAPERS AND LEFT. I HAD TO PAY TO TRANSFER THE PLATES FROM ONE CAR TO THE NEXT. WELL IT IS SAD TO SAY THAT ON 8-12-13 THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE OF I95, WITH 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND ANOTHER ADULT DOING 70 MPH. I COASTED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY, [XXX] IS CLOSED ON SUNDAY; I WAITED UNTIL MONDAY I PLACED A CALL TO [XXX]. I SPOKE WITH [XXX]AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. TODAY 10-15-2013 I GOT UP AND CALLED [XXX]. I THEN DECIDED TO GO TO THE SHOP. WHEN I GOT THERE ALL OF THE PARTIES WHERE THERE, AND I ASKED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WITH THE CAR. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD FIX THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT $1500-$1800. THAT WAS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME AS I FELT THAT THERE IS NO WAY THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE A WHOLE ENGINE AFTER ONLY HAVING IT FOR TWO MONTHS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALERS?? HANDS WERE TIED. I WAS PAST MY WARRANTY OF 30 DAYS OR 1000 MILES.KEEP IN MIND I WAS PAST MY WARRANTY THE FIRST TIME AS WELL. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO WAY FOR THEM TO TELL IF THE ENGINE IS BAD BEFORE THEY PUT IT OUT THERE TO BE SOLD. THE DEALER THEN BEGAN TO TELL ME THAT IN A 60 DAY PERIOD I DROVE THE CAR 4000 MILES I REPLIED WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING. I TOLD HIM THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE A WHOLE ENGINE WITHIN A

Air Bags
Filed Jul 1, 201360,590 milesMA

AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CAME ON WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY, JUST PRIOR TO ENTERING ONTO THE HIGHWAY (APPROX 25 MPH). I'M THE ONLY OWNER AND HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH THIS CAR. TOOK IT TO A HONDA DEALER WHO SAID THAT IT WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG, BUT THE SERVICE ADVISOR NOTED "WE HAVE NO WAY TO TELL YOU WHAT THE ACTUAL ISSUE IS WITH THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG WITHOUT TAKING YOUR CAR APART WHICH WILL TAKE SEVERAL HOURS..EVEN AFTER WE TAKE IT APART, THIS WORK MAY REQUIRE SPECIAL ORDER PARTS SO WE COULDN'T FIX IT IMMEDIATELY." THEY SAID WHILE THIS LIGHT IS ON, THE AIRBAGS DON'T WORK-HOW, AT 60K MILES, COULD AN AIRBAG BE FAULTY? THE DEALER ASKED ME 3 TIMES IF THE CAR HAD EVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT TO WHICH I REPEATEDLY TOLD THEM NO, AND THAT I AM THE ONLY OWNER AND BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. I'M CONCERNED THAT HONDA HAS MORE AIRBAG ISSUES WITH LATER MODELS LIKE MY 2007 CIVIC EX AS THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE. THIS SAME CAR HAS THE ENGINE BLOCK COVERAGE EXTENDED DUE TO A HONDA RECALL; THE SUN VISOR SPLIT (33K MI) AND WOULDN'T GO ALL THE WAY UP, I HIT MY HEAD ON THIS WHEN IT BROKE AND IT IMPACTED VISIBILITY-SOMEONE BROUGHT A CIVIL SUIT TO GET HONDA TO ADDRESS THIS. FURTHER, THIS CAR'S WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MALFUNCTIONS (MY VIN IS COVERED WITH A TECH SERVICE BULLETIN) AND THE WIPERS STOP MIDWAY ON THE WINDSHIELD IMPACTING VISIBILITY--ACCORDING TO THE TSB, HONDA DECIDES WHETHER THEY WILL ABSORB THE REPAIR COST FOR THAT SAFETY ISSUE (HONDA NEVER PROACTIVELY INFORMED ME THAT

Air Bags2 injured
Filed Jun 24, 2012209,827 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THE EXPLOSION WAS HORRENDOUS. I PUT ON MY BRAKES WHICH PUT MY CAR IN A SIDEWAYS SLIDE ALMOST SENDING IT OVER THE CLIFF INTO THE RIVER. IT WAS A HORRIFYING EXPERIENCE. THE WINDSHIELD BROKE AND MY DASH SPLIT. THERE WAS NO IMPACT AT ALL. THE AIR BAG BROKE MY NEW PRESCRIPTION GLASSES, BRUISED MY FACE, AND CUT MY LIP. MY SON WHOM WAS WITH ME IS COMPLAINING OF PAIN IN HIS STOMACH WHERE THE AIR BAG HIT HIM. I SEE MANY OTHER COMPLAINS CONCERNING FAULTY AIR BAGS BUT READ HONDA IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY. THESE FAULTY BAGS ARE A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE AND HONDA SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM NOW. *TR UPDATED 07/25/12 *BF UPDATED IVOQ 07/26/12

Power Train
Filed Jun 7, 2012224,000 milesGA

DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH, THEN THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH CODES PO700 AND PO715, TOOK TO TRANSMISSION BUSINESS, COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM IS STILL PRESENT. RECENTLY FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM HONDA ABOUT THIS DEFECT ON THE TRANSMISSION. *JS

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 23, 201190,000 milesAK

ENGINE SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed May 9, 201115,000 milesWV

THE VTEC-E ON MY 1997 HONDA CIVIC HX IS NOT ENGAGING AT THE PROPER TIMES WHICH IS NOT ONLY AN ANNOYANCE WHEN DRIVING, BUT ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN IT ENGAGES AT LOW SPEEDS (WHICH IT SHOULD NOT DO) IN TRAFFIC LAUNCHING YOU FORWARD INTO THE BACK ENDS OF OTHER VEHICLES. HAS CAUSED (2) REARENDERS. *TR

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Apr 6, 2011OH

1997 HONDA CIVIC, UNIT 1 WAS DRIVING UP TO LANE 5 EXIT 151 ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. UNIT 1 WAS APPROACHING THE TOLL BOOTH WHEN THE BRAKES ON THE CAR FAILED. UNIT 1 STEERED INTO AND STRUCK THE CRASH BARRIER BETWEEN THE LANES. THIS ACTION WAS DONE TO PREVENT STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, THERE WAS FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0098-90)*JB UPDATED 04/22/11 *BF UPDATED 06/17/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE DOES NOT OWN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS A DEALER VEHICLE BEING TRANSPORTED TO AN AUCTION. UPDATED 09/19/11

Tires
Filed Aug 25, 2010199,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC WITH A SET OF BF GOODRICH TOURING T/A TIRES, LINE SIZE P185/65/R14. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS FLAT AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL FRACTURES ALONG THE INNER SIDEWALL. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRES WAS 49,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,000.

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Aug 10, 201085,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION THE ENGINE REMAINED ON. THE CONTACT HAD THE IGNITION SWITCH REPAIRED FOUR YEARS AGO FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION IT WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS IF THE EMERGENCY BREAK WAS NOT ON. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE 1999 THROUGH 2004 HONDA CIVIC NOT HER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134000.

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Jul 14, 2010CA

SRS LIGHT ON. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 16, 2010137,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE TURNED ON, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAG SHATTERED THE PASSENGER SIDE GLASS WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY AND THERE WERE NO FAILURE FOUND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 137,000.

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 17, 2010OR

BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 10, 2010CA

I HAVE A 97 CIVIC DX AND SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WILL TURN OFF AND IS TO HARD TO CONTROL THE WHEELS, WHEN TURNS OFF THERE IS NO ENGINE LIGHTS & THE CAR DIES TOTALLY AND I TRY TO TURN THE CAR ON BUT IT WONT START I NEED TO WAIT FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES THEN I CAN TURN THE CAR AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN DOING SOME RESEARCH IN THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS TO POSSIBLE COULD BE THE IGNITION SWITCH. *TR

Tires › Valve
Filed Dec 29, 2009146,000 milesMD

I HAD A BLOWOUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO A FAILED VALVE STEM IN MY REAR LEFT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS RUINED BY RIDING ON THE RIM TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Aug 19, 200977,400 milesOH

THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON MY 1997 HONDA CIVIC (ABOUT 78,000 MILES) WHILE DRIVING AND STAYS LIT. THE DEALERSHIP (MATHEWS HONDA 8-19-09) SAYS THE SRS UNIT HAS AN INTERNAL FAILURE. $762 PLUS TAX TO REPAIR. AFTER REVIEW IT APPEARS THERE ARE MANY EXPERIENCING THIS SAME FAILURE SO I FELT IT NECESSARY TO REPORT THE ISSUE TO YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 17, 2009PA

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE JUST QUITS. THERE IS NO STUTTERING, STALLING, OR ENGINE MISFIRES, IT QUIETLY JUST QUITS. THE RADIO, HEATER FAN, BRAKE LIGHTS STILL WORK BUT NOT THE SIGNAL LIGHTS. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM STARTED 1-2X A MONTH AND OVER A PERIOD OF 7 MONTHS HAS NOW BECOME AN EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Mar 4, 2009125,000 milesWA

1997 HONDA CIVIC AIR BAG LIGHT ON. DETERMINED AIR BAG MODULE IS BAD. SEARCHED THE WEB AND IT SEEMS THOUSANDS OF ACCORD, CIVIC AND PRELUDE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. NHTSA DOES HAVE RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V193000 FOR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG NOT PUT IN RIGHT, HOW ABOUT ONE FOR A JUNK MODULE?? *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 21, 200880,000 milesNJ

I OWN A 1997 CIVIC HX. I DID RESEARCH AND THERE ARE SO MANY DEFECTIVE CVT TRANSMISSIONS. THE TRANSMISSION WAS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR THIS MODEL. PEOPLE JUST DON'T PUT THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE. I WAS TOLD TO DO SO BY HONDA. 90% OF THIS MODEL ON THE ROAD HAVE ALL HAD THEIR TRANSMISSIONS REBUILT AND FAIL IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE CARS LIFE. WHY HASN'T HONDA RESOLVED THIS ISSUE? IT FAILS TO GO INTO REVERSE AND FAILS TO SOMETIMES GO INTO DRIVE. IF THE PERCENTAGE WERE LOW, THEN I'D UNDERSTAND THAT IT ISN'T A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE. BUT THE NUMBER OF CARS IS STAGGERING WHEN I GO ONTO FORUMS AND EVEN GOOGLE THE PROBLEM. AND THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN REBUILT SOMETIMES HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE SPEED SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE SPEEDOMETER FAILS TO READ THE SPEED OF THE CAR. IF I'M THE ONLY PERSON WHO'S GOING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS, I'LL MAKE SURE TO POST THE LINK IN FORUMS. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Aug 7, 2008CA

MY 1997 HONDA CIVIC SRS LIGHT HAS COME ON 6 TIMES WITHIN THE PAST 5 YEARS. EACH TIME I BROUGHT IT TO HONDA SERVICE THEY SAID IT WAS INTERNAL FAILURE AND RESET IT. THEY CLAIMED IT WAS CAUSED BY LOW BATTERY CHARGE, BUT THEN THEY DECLARED BATTERY WAS GOOD. FINALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE SRS MODULE UNIT. THE NEW UNIT ONLY HAS 12 MONTH WARRANTY. ISN'T THE SRS UNIT A SAFETY FEATURE AND SHOULDN'T IT BE COVERED BY LIFETIME WARRANTY? FIRST INCIDENT BEGAN IN OCTOBER 2003, FOLLOWED BY OCT 2005, NOV 2006, JUN 2007, SEP 2007, AND FINALLY IN MAR 2008. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 27, 200875,000 milesME

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SRS LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SERVICED FOR THE SRS ISSUE, BUT IT IS STILL OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,583 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Jun 15, 200845,000 milesVA

SRS LIGHT STAYS ON; AIRBAGS NOT WORKING. HAS BEEN RESET TWICE (YEARLY TO PASS INSPECTION) ; COMES ON WITHIN TEN MINUTES OF RESET. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO SOLUTION. EXACTLY WHAT IS AN OWNER SUPPOSED TO DO? *TR

TiresCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 11, 200860,000 milesNC

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 85, AND THERE WAS A LARGE TRUCK TIRE LAYING IN THE MIDDLE OF A 4 LANE HIGHWAY, THUS CAUSING MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS. MY CAR HIT THE TIRE AND ALMOST CAUSED A FEW ACCIDENTS, ALMOST CAUSING OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL AS MYSELF TO BE INJURED FATALLY. THE DOT SHOULD HAVE CLEANED IT UP, AND SINCE I DO NOT HAVE COLLISION ON MY INSURANCE POLICY THEY ARE NOT COVERING ANY DAMAGES. WE PAY TAXES TO THE STATE AND GOVERNMENT TO HAVE SAFE MOTOR WAYS, AND I FEEL THESE ACCIDENTS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IN ADVANCE. *TR

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Feb 22, 2008189,000 milesLA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CIVIC. THE VEHICLE HAS KELLY SPRINGFIELD DOUGLAS, SIZE P1856514 TIRES. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE DOT IS M67JFLXR, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DOT IS PL7JFXLR4806, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE DOT IS PL7JFXLR0207 AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE DOT IS PL7JFXLR4806. THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES WERE PURCHASED SIX MONTHS AGO AND THE REMAINING ONE WAS PURCHASED THREE WEEKS AGO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. IT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PULLING TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FEEL AS IF IT WERE FALLING APART. A FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE TIRE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS UNEVEN AND WOBBLED WHEN THEY WERE TESTED. THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A RECALL ON THE DOUGLAS TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE VEHICLE HAD ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 193,100.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 13, 2008110,000 milesTX

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON MY 1997 HONDA CIVIC CX. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY RESET THE LIGHT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IF IT COMES ON AGAIN ONLY THING THEY CAN DO IS REPLACE THE COMPUTER THAT TRIGGERS THE AIRBAG AT A COST OF ABOUT $500 INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE I SAW THAT MANY HONDA ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH SRS LIGHTS. I GUY WROTE THAT HE HAD HIS REPLACED THREE TIMES IN AS MANY YEARS AND STILL HAS THIS SAME PROBLEM. OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THAT THE AIRBAGS HAVE DEPLOYED WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP. ANOTHER GUY REPORTED THAT HIS AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN HE HIT A CAR. IN BOTH CASES NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED BUT THE FACT REMAINS THAT THE SRS SYSTEM ON THESE CARS ARE NOT RELIABLE. HONDA OF AMERICA IS WASHING THEIR HANDS OF THESE CARS. THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SYSTEMS THAT ARE OVER 10 YEARS OLD. PLEASE HELP US GET THEM TO DO A RECALL. WE WOULD NOT MIND SPENDING THE MONEY BUT HONDA WILL ONLY WARRANT THE REPAIR FOR ONE YEAR AND THEN WE HAVE TO PAY ALL OVER AGAIN. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Jan 4, 2008108,000 milesTX

THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE DEALER SAID MY CAR REQUIRED A 500 DOLLAR REPAIR. THE MAIN UNIT ON MY SRS FAILED AND HONDA WILL NOT HELP WITH THE REPAIR COST. I CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIR AND HONDA WONT HELP EVEN THOUGH I HAVE FAIRLY LOW MILES.*CN

Seat Belts › Rear/Other
Filed Nov 19, 2007118,250 milesTX

TWO OF THE THREE BACK SEAT BELTS, THE CENTER AND THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE, HAVE BROKEN AWAY FROM THE BUCKLE SIDE THAT IS BOLTED TO THE BODY OF THE CAR. THEY BROKE WHEN I TIGHTENED THEN UP TO BUCKLE A CHILD CAR SEAT. IT HAPPENED ON THE DAY THAT I MADE THIS COMPLAINT SO I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REPLACE THEM. *TR

Complaints 1-50 of 373, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202632000Routine
202578210Routine
2024126310Routine
2023259400Above average
2022886430Above average
2021147420Routine
2020234510Above average
2019443410Above average
2018748641Fatalities reported
2017604660Above average
20161,082540Above average
2015381120Above average
2014293240Above average
2013319010Above average
2012456350High concern
2011169950Routine
2010397852Fatalities reported
2009396861Fatalities reported
2008916760High concern
20071,2049910Fatalities reported
20061,40415213Fatalities reported
20053161593Fatalities reported
20043501561Fatalities reported
20034992451Fatalities reported
200270224144Fatalities reported
20011,07927156Fatalities reported
20002871850High concern
19993381551Fatalities reported
19984351831Fatalities reported
1997 — this page3731620High concern
19963051741Fatalities reported
19951991225Fatalities reported
19941351400High concern
19931461340Routine
1992981330Routine
1991110851Fatalities reported
1990911032Fatalities reported

Compare every Civic year →

1997 Honda Civic: questions buyers ask

Is the 1997 Honda Civic a good car?

It is not among the Civic years to avoid. Owners filed 373 complaints, against about 350 for a typical Civic year. The most common complaint is about the airbags (37%).

What is the most common problem with the 1997 Honda Civic?

The airbags: 137 of the 373 complaints (37%) are about it. Owners most often say it shows an airbag warning light (35%), sets off warning lights on the dash (18%) and did not deploy its airbags in a crash (15%). The typical report comes at 90,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 1997 Honda Civic have?

16 safety recalls on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Jan 17, 2020. The largest, 20V026000, covered 1,439,841 vehicles. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

At what mileage do 1997 Honda Civic problems start?

Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 88,000 miles. For the airbags the midpoint is 90,000 miles.

Has NHTSA investigated the 1997 Honda Civic?

Yes, once. SQ98012 ("CONDENSER FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE") was opened Jun 30, 1998 and closed Nov 2, 1998.

Are there service bulletins for the 1997 Honda Civic?

The manufacturer filed 132 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the transmission (20), the engine (19) and the electrical system (16). A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.

Reading this record

A high number of complaints describe fires or crashes.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 17, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.