1997 Honda ACCORD: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
360 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
107,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 128 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 61 of 360 complaints (16.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 34 | 9.4% |
| Engine operation | 30 | 8.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 26 | 7.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 18 | 5.0% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 2.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 0.8% |
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 | 61 |
| Electrical System | 32 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 31 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 23 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 18 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 15 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 13 |
Air Bags: 61; Electrical System: 32; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 31; Vehicle Speed Control: 23; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 18; Electrical System:Ignition: 15; Air Bags:Frontal: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 24 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 22 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 32 |
| 150,000 and above | 37 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 24; 75,000 to 99,999: 22; 100,000 to 149,999: 32; 150,000 and above: 37
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (37). 232 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 | 37 |
| 2001 | 53 |
| 2002 | 77 |
| 2003 | 34 |
| 2004 | 33 |
| 2005 | 17 |
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 22 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
2000: 37; 2001: 53; 2002: 77; 2003: 34; 2004: 33; 2005: 17; 2006: 10; 2007: 3; 2008: 6; 2009: 10; 2010: 22; 2011: 7; 2012: 11; 2013: 5; 2014: 11; 2015: 9; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2023: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 34 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 30 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 26 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001237 · 2002-12-19 (December 19, 2002)
NO PARTS AVAILABLE. RECALL #02120000 IGNITION SWITCH. ATAMAN HONDA [phone removed] PLEASE PROVIDE THE ADDRESS. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001237 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001739 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
PER CONSUMER, AFTER THE DEALERSHIP SUPERIOR HONDA; ORANGEBURG SC; [phone removed], HAD THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A WEEK THE RECALL FOR THE IGNTION SWITCH 02 V 070 000 WAS NOT DONE. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001739 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002985 · 2003-01-20 (January 20, 2003)
PENSKE TIRES ARE SPLITTING AT SIDEWALLS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004201 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004369 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND WHILE DRIVING IT STAYS ON. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006225 · 2003-02-13 (February 13, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008690 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
THE SRS DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. *AK *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017028 · 2003-05-05 (May 5, 2003)
THE SRS LIGHT ON OUR 1997 HONDA EX-V6 MODEL WILL NOT GO OFF. WE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER, WILLEY HONDA, (WHERE THE AUTOMOBILE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND ALL SERVICE WORK HAS BEEN DONE) AND THEY SIMPLY TURNED THE LIGHT OFF SAYING THERE MUST BE A "SHORT" IN THE LIGHT. THE FIRST COMPLAINT WAS BEFORE THE WARRANTY WAS UP ON THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL TIMES SINCE WHEN IT HAS COME BACK ON - THEY WOULD TURN IT OFF. NOW THEY ARE TELLING US IT MUST BE THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND THEY WANT US TO PAY $750.+ TO HAVE IT REPAIRED PROPERLY AS THE AIR BAGS MIGHT NOT BE WOR…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017028 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V120000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Reported: 2002-05-16 (May 16, 2002)
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 VEHICLE IS STARTED.
Consequence: WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V231000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Reported: 1998-09-22 (September 22, 1998)
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 WIRES TO RUB AGAINST EACH OTHER, EVENTUALLY CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.
Consequence: THE SHORT CIRCUIT CANPOSSIBLY CAUSE THE UNDERHOOD WIREING TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE, CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN ALSO RESULT IN A BLOWN FUSE OR DEAD BATTERY.
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 AND THE COPPER WIRES ARE EXPOSED, THE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL PLASTIC TUBING TO PROTECT THE HARNESS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V069000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Reported: 1999-05-10 (May 10, 1999)
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 SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗