1997 HONDA ACCORD — Owner-Reported Problems

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-08-22 453 complaints · 15 recalls
Most-reported system: AIR BAGS (105 complaints · 23.2%)
Safety signals:
  • Crashes 42
  • Fires 10
  • Injuries 31
  • Deaths 9
Compare with 1996 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

Component Problem Distribution AIR BAGS appears in 105 of 453 owner complaints (23.2%) in this vehicle snapshot. AIR BAGS: 105 complaints, 23.2% of reports AIR BAGS 105 · 23.2% · 12 crash reports 1 fire reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 83 complaints, 18.3% of reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 83 · 18.3% · 2 crash reports 6 fire reports ENGINE: 51 complaints, 11.3% of reports ENGINE 51 · 11.3% · 2 fire reports VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: 32 complaints, 7.1% of reports VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 32 · 7.1% · 16 crash reports POWER TRAIN: 28 complaints, 6.2% of reports POWER TRAIN 28 · 6.2% · 1 crash reports SERVICE BRAKES: 27 complaints, 6.0% of reports SERVICE BRAKES 27 · 6.0% · 2 crash reports SEAT BELTS: 23 complaints, 5.1% of reports SEAT BELTS 23 · 5.1% · 1 crash reports SUSPENSION: 22 complaints, 4.9% of reports SUSPENSION 22 · 4.9% · 1 crash reports TIRES: 12 complaints, 2.7% of reports TIRES 12 · 2.7% · 1 crash reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER: 281 complaints, 62.0% of reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER 281 · 62.0% · 24 crash reports 4 fire reports 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
AIR BAGS 105 23.2% 12 crashes · 1 fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 83 18.3% 2 crashes · 6 fires
ENGINE 51 11.3% 0 crashes · 2 fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 32 7.1% 16 crashes · 0 fires
POWER TRAIN 28 6.2% 1 crashes · 0 fires
SERVICE BRAKES 27 6.0% 2 crashes · 0 fires
SEAT BELTS 23 5.1% 1 crashes · 0 fires
SUSPENSION 22 4.9% 1 crashes · 0 fires
TIRES 12 2.7% 1 crashes · 0 fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 281 62.0% 24 crashes · 4 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

Problem & Recall Timeline Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 1996; the first recall shown was reported in Sep 1998. 1996-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 1997-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 1997-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 1997-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 1997-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 1998-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 1998-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 1998-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 1998-Q4: 18 owner reports 18 1999-Q1: 18 owner reports 18 1999-Q2: 11 owner reports 11 1999-Q3: 11 owner reports 11 1999-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2000-Q1: 10 owner reports 10 2000-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2000-Q3: 9 owner reports 9 2000-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2001-Q1: 19 owner reports 19 2001-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2001-Q3: 9 owner reports 9 2001-Q4: 12 owner reports 12 2002-Q1: 13 owner reports 13 2002-Q2: 13 owner reports 13 2002-Q3: 33 owner reports 33 2002-Q4: 18 owner reports 18 2003-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2003-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2003-Q3: 11 owner reports 11 2003-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2004-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2004-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2004-Q3: 10 owner reports 10 2004-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2005-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2005-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2005-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2005-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2006-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2006-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2006-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2007-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2007-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2008-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2009-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2009-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2010-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2010-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2010-Q3: 11 owner reports 11 2010-Q4: 6 owner reports 6 2011-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2011-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2011-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2012-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2014-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2014-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2015-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2015-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2015-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2017-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2017-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2019-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2023-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Oct 1996 Jul 2023 Recall campaign 98V231000 ◆ Recall campaign 98V231000 Recall campaign 99V069000 ◆ Recall campaign 99V069000 Recall campaign 02V120000 ◆ Recall campaign 02V120000 Recall campaign 06E023000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E023000 Recall campaign 06E025000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E025000 Recall campaign 06E026000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E026000 Recall campaign 06E032000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E032000 Recall campaign 06E040000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E040000 Recall campaign 06E044000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E044000 Recall campaign 06E049000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E049000 Recall campaign 06E060000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E060000 Recall campaign 06E064000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E064000 Recall campaign 06E065000 ◆ Recall campaign 06E065000 Recall campaign 08E050000 ◆ Recall campaign 08E050000 Recall campaign 09E025000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E025000
  • Campaign 98V231000 was reported 544 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 99V069000 was reported 885 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 02V120000 was reported 1,876 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 06E023000 was reported 1,746 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 06E025000 was reported 1,754 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 08E050000 was reported 2,628 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 09E025000 was reported 2,901 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1996-Q4 Owner reports 1
1997-Q1 Owner reports 1
1997-Q2 Owner reports 3
1997-Q3 Owner reports 7
1997-Q4 Owner reports 5
1998-Q1 Owner reports 6
1998-Q2 Owner reports 5
1998-Q3 Owner reports 4
1998-Q4 Owner reports 18
1999-Q1 Owner reports 18
1999-Q2 Owner reports 11
1999-Q3 Owner reports 11
1999-Q4 Owner reports 10
2000-Q1 Owner reports 10
2000-Q2 Owner reports 7
2000-Q3 Owner reports 9
2000-Q4 Owner reports 9
2001-Q1 Owner reports 19
2001-Q2 Owner reports 10
2001-Q3 Owner reports 9
2001-Q4 Owner reports 12
2002-Q1 Owner reports 13
2002-Q2 Owner reports 13
2002-Q3 Owner reports 33
2002-Q4 Owner reports 18
2003-Q1 Owner reports 5
2003-Q2 Owner reports 8
2003-Q3 Owner reports 11
2003-Q4 Owner reports 10
2004-Q1 Owner reports 11
2004-Q2 Owner reports 9
2004-Q3 Owner reports 10
2004-Q4 Owner reports 2
2005-Q1 Owner reports 6
2005-Q2 Owner reports 4
2005-Q3 Owner reports 3
2005-Q4 Owner reports 4
2006-Q1 Owner reports 4
2006-Q3 Owner reports 4
2006-Q4 Owner reports 2
2007-Q3 Owner reports 2
2007-Q4 Owner reports 1
2008-Q2 Owner reports 4
2008-Q3 Owner reports 1
2009-Q1 Owner reports 1
2009-Q2 Owner reports 5
2009-Q3 Owner reports 3
2009-Q4 Owner reports 1
2010-Q1 Owner reports 3
2010-Q2 Owner reports 2
2010-Q3 Owner reports 11
2010-Q4 Owner reports 6
2011-Q1 Owner reports 4
2011-Q2 Owner reports 2
2011-Q3 Owner reports 1
2012-Q1 Owner reports 2
2012-Q2 Owner reports 2
2012-Q3 Owner reports 5
2012-Q4 Owner reports 2
2013-Q1 Owner reports 2
2013-Q2 Owner reports 1
2013-Q3 Owner reports 1
2013-Q4 Owner reports 1
2014-Q1 Owner reports 1
2014-Q2 Owner reports 2
2014-Q3 Owner reports 5
2014-Q4 Owner reports 3
2015-Q1 Owner reports 2
2015-Q2 Owner reports 4
2015-Q3 Owner reports 1
2015-Q4 Owner reports 2
2016-Q1 Owner reports 3
2017-Q1 Owner reports 1
2017-Q4 Owner reports 1
2018-Q2 Owner reports 1
2018-Q3 Owner reports 2
2019-Q2 Owner reports 1
2020-Q2 Owner reports 1
2021-Q2 Owner reports 1
2021-Q3 Owner reports 1
2023-Q2 Owner reports 2
2023-Q3 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 98V231000
Recall campaign 1 99V069000
Recall campaign 1 02V120000
Recall campaign 1 06E023000
Recall campaign 1 06E025000
Recall campaign 1 06E026000
Recall campaign 1 06E032000
Recall campaign 1 06E040000
Recall campaign 1 06E044000
Recall campaign 1 06E049000
Recall campaign 1 06E060000
Recall campaign 1 06E064000
Recall campaign 1 06E065000
Recall campaign 1 08E050000
Recall campaign 1 09E025000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Safety Recalls (15)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

  1. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 02V120000

    Report date
    Component:
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06E023000

    Report date
    Component:
    EXTERIOR LIGHTING
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06E025000

    Report date
    Component:
    EXTERIOR LIGHTING
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06E026000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06E032000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06E040000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06E044000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  8. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06E049000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  9. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06E060000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  10. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06E064000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  11. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 06E065000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  12. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 08E050000

    Report date
    Component:
    EXTERIOR LIGHTING
    Consequence:
    WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  13. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 09E025000

    Report date
    Component:
    EXTERIOR LIGHTING
    Consequence:
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  14. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 98V231000

    Report date
    Component:
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  15. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 99V069000

    Report date
    Component:
    SUSPENSION
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Complaint Narrative Explorer

Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety incident filters
Showing 0 of 453 complaints · page 1 of 19

No complaints match the current filters.
EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources