1997 Honda Accord

● Typical for this model
1997 Honda Accord
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Honda Accord Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 7 complaints 1982: 10 complaints 1983: 7 complaints 1984: 22 complaints 1985: 13 complaints 1986: 54 complaints 1986 1987: 111 complaints 1988: 88 complaints 1989: 86 complaints 1990: 192 complaints 1991: 212 complaints 1992: 206 complaints 1992 1993: 186 complaints 1994: 369 complaints 1995: 543 complaints 1996: 472 complaints 1997: 460 complaints 1997 1998: 1200 complaints 1998 1999: 1135 complaints 2000: 1183 complaints 2001: 920 complaints 2002: 1050 complaints 2003: 1987 complaints 2004: 1016 complaints 2004 2005: 656 complaints 2006: 430 complaints 2007: 524 complaints 2008: 1520 complaints 2009: 720 complaints 2010: 579 complaints 2010 2011: 295 complaints 2012: 371 complaints 2013: 1417 complaints 2014: 969 complaints 2015: 593 complaints 2016: 588 complaints 2016 2017: 525 complaints 2018: 1791 complaints 2019: 644 complaints 2020: 334 complaints 2021: 210 complaints 2022: 213 complaints 2022 2023: 79 complaints 2024: 130 complaints 2025: 71 complaints 2026: 4 complaints 2026
1997: 460 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19817
198210
19837
198422
198513
198654
1987111
198888
198986
1990192
1991212
1992206
1993186
1994369
1995543
1996472
1997460
19981200
19991135
20001183
2001920
20021050
20031987
20041016
2005656
2006430
2007524
20081520
2009720
2010579
2011295
2012371
20131417
2014969
2015593
2016588
2017525
20181791
2019644
2020334
2021210
2022213
202379
2024130
202571
20264

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 14%

14% of complaints: air bags — 65 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7%

7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 32 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH (THE CRUSE CONTROL ON), WHEN ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190528

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND WOULD NOT STOP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121001

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN AN ALLEY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE WALL BEFORE INDEPENDENTLY COMING TO A STOP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120924

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 32 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 32 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS BACKING UP. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THEN IT DIED AND STARTED TO SMOKE I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER HOOD, SAW FLAMES FROM BOTTOM OF CAR, TOLD MY DAUGHTER THE CAR IS ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150118

The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and attempting to slow down, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230907

AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 27 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN BUMPER HIT THE POLE THAT POSTS HANDICAP SIGNS, VERY SLIGHTLY DENTED THE BUMPER OF VEHICLE. ALSO BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONSUMER WAS WEARING SEAT BELT.

NHTSA ODI report, 19970811

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19981008 — electrical system

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN, COUPE AND WAGON PASSENGER VEHICLES EXCEPT THE DX MODEL AND MODELS WITH V6 ENGINES. THE FACTORY INSTALLED AIR CONDITIONER WIRE HARNESS WAS IMPROPERLY ROUTED ALLOWING SOME

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THESE WIRES. ANY HARNESS IMPROPERLY ROUTED WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND THE ROUTING WILL BE CORRECTED. IF ANY INSULATION IS WORN THROUGH A

Campaign 98V231000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990517 — suspension

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUS

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

Campaign 99V069000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20020614 — electrical system

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 VEHIC

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

Campaign 02V120000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060417 — exterior lighting

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. H

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.

Campaign 06E032000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060502 — exterior lighting

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

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.

Campaign 06E025000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060509 — exterior lighting

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

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.

Campaign 06E023000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060510 — exterior lighting

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

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.

Campaign 06E040000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060701 — exterior lighting

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 N

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.

Campaign 06E049000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060710 — exterior lighting

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

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.

Campaign 06E044000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060731 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT 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 RE

Remedy: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Campaign 06E065000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060801 — exterior lighting

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 RE

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.

Campaign 06E060000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

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

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.

Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — exterior lighting

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.

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.

Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Honda Accord — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (65 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (32 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (32 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V231000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V069000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V120000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E032000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E040000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E049000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E044000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E065000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E060000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1986 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 2018 ■ 2008

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Honda Accord reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Honda Accord is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Honda Accord?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Honda Accord have?

15 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.