MYRModel Year Report

1997 Honda CR-V

▲ Better than typical
1997 Honda CR-V
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:54:29.610Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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 CR-V Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 128 complaints 1999: 127 complaints 2000: 129 complaints 2001: 142 complaints 2001 2002: 515 complaints 2003: 468 complaints 2004: 501 complaints 2005: 479 complaints 2005 2006: 398 complaints 2007: 887 complaints 2008: 961 complaints 2009: 386 complaints 2009 2010: 480 complaints 2011: 552 complaints 2012: 402 complaints 2013: 381 complaints 2013 2014: 587 complaints 2015: 670 complaints 2016: 392 complaints 2017: 1762 complaints 2017 2018: 2135 complaints 2019: 1095 complaints 2020: 356 complaints 2021: 330 complaints 2021 2022: 255 complaints 2023: 519 complaints 2024: 386 complaints 2025: 246 complaints 2025 2026: 133 complaints 2026
1997: 108 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1997108
1998128
1999127
2000129
2001142
2002515
2003468
2004501
2005479
2006398
2007887
2008961
2009386
2010480
2011552
2012402
2013381
2014587
2015670
2016392
20171762
20182135
20191095
2020356
2021330
2022255
2023519
2024386
2025246
2026133

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 30%

30% of complaints: electrical system — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing switch and ignition.

Show complaint excerpts

CAR WILL STOP SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ALL LIGHTS WILL COME ON POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT AND CAR WILL NOT RUN I WILL TURN IT OFF AND A FEW MINUTES LATER IT WILL START AGAIN USUALLY BUT THIS LAST TIME IT STOPPED AND WOULDNT START AGAIN IV...

NHTSA ODI report, 20190509

ENGINE DIED SUDDENLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED. AFTER PULLOVER OFF OF ROADWAY, THE VECHICLE WAS SUCCESSFULLY RESTARTED AND TRAVEL RESUMED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181212

IGNITION PROBLEMS

NHTSA ODI report, 20180814

AIR BAGS 27%

27% of complaints: air bags — 29 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and srs malfunction warning lamp/light.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ON JUNE 29, 2004, MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR FENDER BENDER IN BURBANK. THIS WAS A LOW-SPEED, REAR-END COLLISION THAT SHOULD HAVE RESULTED IN BOTH DRIVERS EXCHANGING INSURANCE INFORMATION AND GOING THEIR SEPARATE WAYS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040707

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8%

8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

TIRES 8%

8% of complaints: tires — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tread/belt.

SEATS 8%

8% of complaints: seats — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing recliner and power adjust.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 25 MPH WAS REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 55MPH.DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE , FELL BACK ON TOP OF DAUGHTER WHICH WAS SITTING BEHIND HER. THIS DEFECT COULD RESULT IN INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19971114

SAFETY TIMELINE

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 20201001 — air bags

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...

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.

Campaign 20V026000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Honda CR-V — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (32 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (29 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V120000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V026000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1999 ▲ 1998 ▲ 2000

WORST YEARS

■ 2018 ■ 2017 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Honda CR-V reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Honda CR-V is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Honda CR-V?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Honda CR-V have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.