1997 Honda CR-V: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10006253 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
DEALER CHARGE FOR RECONNECTION OF THE ORIGINAL ALARM SYSTEM, AFTER DISCONNECTING FOR RECALL REPAIR. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH *TS
Owner-reported narrative. 59,886 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006253 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017939 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
THE VEHICLES AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM REQUIRED A COSTLY REPAIR. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED FOR THE TEST WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT AS COSTLY AS INITIALLY STATED AND THAT ONLY A MINOR ADJUSTMENT WAS NEEDED. SHORTLY AFTER THAT ADJUSTMENT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. *NLM *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017939 at NHTSA ↗
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 10042045 · 2003-11-25 (November 25, 2003)
A RECALL ON THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS ISSUED; HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO DISCONNECT ALARM SYSTEM, AND WILL ONLY RECONNECT THE ALARM SYSTEM AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK THE DEFECT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO SIT FOR A WHILE BEFORE IT COULD BE RESTARTED. BOTH DEALERS REFUSED TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH UNLESS THE CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE ALARM REINSTALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER NOT TO REINSTALL THE ALARM. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042045 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 10048484 · 2003-11-19 (November 19, 2003)
CONSUMER WAS CHARGED TO HAVE ALARM RECONNECTED AFTER RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED.*MR THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER TO HAVE RECALL 02V-120000 PERFORMED (IGNITION SWITCH). THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL STATING THAT THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO RECONNECT THE ALARM. THE CONSUMER REFUSED REPAIRS UNDER THOSE CONDITION. THE VEHICLE'S POWER OUTLET WAS CONSTANTLY LOOSE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10048484 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057750 · 2004-02-09 (February 9, 2004)
REAR SEAT BELT AND FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE FRAYING AND SEVERING AT THE RINGS. CONSUMER REPLACED REAR SEAT BELT AFTER IT SNAPPED IN HALF. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057750 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 ↗
Recall history
2 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 ↗20V026000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2020-01-17 (January 17, 2020)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗