1997 Honda CR-V problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
86 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
130,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 86 complaints (24.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 10 | 11.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 9.3% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 7.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 3.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 21 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 11 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 7 |
| Tires | 6 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 |
Air Bags: 21; Electrical System: 13; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 11; Electrical System:Ignition: 7; Tires: 6; Engine: 3; Seats: 3; Tires:Tread/Belt: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 11 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 11
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 61 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 17 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
2000: 6; 2001: 10; 2002: 17; 2003: 6; 2004: 8; 2005: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 4; 2017: 3; 2018: 2; 2019: 2; 2020: 13; 2021: 1; 2022: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10027231 · 2003-07-14 (July 14, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ENGINE STALLS. CONSUMER HAS TO STOP AND RESTART ENGINE. MECHANIC STATES PROBLEM IS DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10027231 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042275 · 2003-10-03 (October 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHICH FORCED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042275 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064371 · 2004-04-02 (April 2, 2004)
THE SRS (AIR BAG) LIGHT IN MY 1997 HONDA CRV HAS BEEN ON FOR LAST 4 YEARS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO DIFFERENT DEALERS DURING THIS TIME. THEY INITIALLY JUST RESET THE LIGHT. LATER THEY SUSPECTED ONE OF THE SENSORS. EVEN LATER ONE OF DEALER CHANGED THE BATTERY. FINALLY THEY HAVE DECLARED THAT THE SRS CONTROLLER UNIT MUST BE BAD AND SHOULD BE CHANGED AT THE COST OF $825. I HAVE CONTACTED AMERICA HONDA CORP BUT TO NO HELP. FROM THE INDEPENDENT MAINTENANCE SHOP WHERE I TOOK MY CAR I HAVE LEARNED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN CRV. AIR BAG ARE ESSENTIAL SA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10064371 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075089 · 2004-06-09 (June 9, 2004)
CAR HAS HAD ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. WHEN YOU TURN SHARP EITHER DIRECTION IT MAKES AN AWFUL WHINING NOISE. WHEN YOU REACH AROUND 60 MPH THE STEERING COLUMN STARTS SHAKING AND YOU CAN FEEL THE CAR SHAKING UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. AFTER SEVERAL TRIPS TO DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS AND BEING TOLD THAT IT JUST NEEDS AN ALIGNMENT AND HAVING THIS DONE 3 TIMES THE VEHICLE STILL ISN'T FIXED. ALSO IN JULY OF 2003 ONE OF THE TIRES LOST IT'S TREAD IN ONE GIANT PIECE WICH FLIPPED UP AND SEVERELY DAMAGED THE HATCHBACK, BUMPER AND RUNNING LIGHTS. BRIDGESTONE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10075089 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10107236 · 2005-01-12 (January 12, 2005)
THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL OF STEERING AT ABOUT 45 MPH. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR CHECK UP, AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE BOLTS ON THE RACK AND PINION BROKE OFF.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10107236 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059440 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
CONSUMER CITED THE POOR OR LACK OF SERVICE BY THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS THE POOR QUALITY OF HIS VEHICLE. *LA THE CONSUMER HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE CAP WAS NOT TIGHTENED PROPERLY WHICH CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON ANOTHER OCCASION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED, WHICH HAS SINCE FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD A FLAT TIRE, WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO CHANGE THE TIRE, SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A JAC…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10667188 · 2014-12-18 (December 18, 2014)
I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR ROAD WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURED. I HAD STOPPED ON A TRAFFIC LIGHT, BUT WHEN I RESUMED DRIVING, MY CAR COULD NOT STOP WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN OR BRAKED. AS THE BRAKES ACCELARATED, AND I WAS GOING TO HIT THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME, I SWUNG TO A CURB AND LOST CONSCIOUSNESS TEMPORARY. AFTERWARDS, I SAW MYSELF SITTING DOWN SURROUNDED BY A CROWD. I CAME OUT AND SOON THE POLICE AND THE AMBULANCE CAME.I WAS CHECKED AND THE POLICE TOOK A REPORT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A HONDA'S DEALERSHIP FOR BRAKE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, FEARING THA…
Owner-reported narrative. 154,475 miles reported. Look up ODI 10667188 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8004221 · 2002-02-19 (February 19, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION WILL FLIP IN AND OUT OF GEAR, SOMETIMES COULD GO ON TO HIGH GEAR OR LOW GEAR. WHEN STEPPING ON ACCELERATOR IT WILL NOT ACCELERATE, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8004221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10239770 · 2008-08-26 (August 26, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA CR-V. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SHIFTED, AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. INITIALLY, HE WOULD BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER 2 OR 3 ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED AND TOOK 20-30 ATTEMPTS TO START AGAIN AND WOULD ONLY DRIVE A FEW FEET AFTERWARDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 20 TIMES; THEREFORE, HE STOPPED USING THE VEHICL…
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10239770 at NHTSA ↗