My 1997 Honda Accord would occasionally not start. Then while driving, the engine will quietly shutoff without stalling or misfiring. Now car will shut off after starting when ignition switch goes back to "run' or "on" position.

- Ocala, FL, USA

1997 Honda Accord coupe, 2.2L, dx trim ignition switch failure. Fiance' and her daughter were driving this vehicle when the engine just "died", no power, no warning light illuminations, etc. Vehicle did/does restart at this time. This is identical to the Honda campaign recall #02V120000 which covers some Honda of this year/model. I contacted Honda and was basically blown off... "sorry, this recall doesn't cover your particular vehicle's VIN." Failure occurs frequently, at random, no particular indicators that it was going to happen. Consequences could be fatal if this fault occurred in an intersection, while passing another vehicle, etc. Because Honda would not make safe their faulty ignition switch, I replaced the switch at my expense at approximately $60/part, plus my time. Honda charges $211 to repair this, so the "total" repair cost with my parts/labor is $211. I did not save the part unfortunately, not thinking of notifying you until too late. The final "dying" that occurred on 9/18/2010 was the last straw. It would be great if others suffering from this obvious fault could be reimbursed or prevented from having to deal with this issue.

- Lebanon, OR, USA

I have noted that I can remove the key from the ignition of my 1997 Honda Accord without being in park. The safety issue is that the driver turn off the engine, remove the key (not in park), leave the car and the car can then roll away. This is the same safety defect that is now being recalled on the 2003 Honda.

- Cumming, GA, USA

My 1997 Honda Accord dies while driving.

- Holloman Afb, NM, USA

I have had my 1997 Honda Accord LX 4cyl for about 4 years. I have searched this problem just about everywhere, and while I've seen the problem reported in hundreds of Honda owners, I have yet to see a solid solution. Problem: Car shutting off while driving, strong fuel/gas smell when this happens, dash lights shutting off and going black, door locks jumping up and down my car is shutting off while driving - whether I'm on a residential street, or going 75 mph on the highway. I have been blessed not to be hit by another car when this happens. It sometimes starts right back up, but after a few times, it takes about 20 minutes to be able to start. The engine will stir around, but it won't fire up and actually start. Twenty minutes later or so, it starts.. and then we may make it to our destination without stalling again. Oh, and I can't forget the strong scent of fuel in the air when this happens. It started as a sporadic thing that happened whenever I drove long distance (an hour or more) or whenever I was at 1/4 of a tank. More recently, I can hardly drive at all. I tried to leave today, and I didn't make it down the street without the car shutting off twice. The car is not overheating, there's plenty of gas in the tank... yet when I drive, the dash lights go out, the RPM jumps all over the place and finally to 0. the car works fine when the engine is cold (first thing in the morning), but as soon as the engine warms to a normal level, this happens. I've been stranded on the highway more times then I care to admit... by myself, with my children, in 101 degree heat.. etc. What we've done (unsuccessfully): * I already called the dealership, they ran my VIN and said that the recalls have all been taken care of and replaced on my car prior to me purchasing the vehicle. * replaced spark plugs and wires * major tune-up * replaced relay switch * replaced fuel filter.

- Stockton, CA, USA

The vehicle was stop and the horn started with a really loud noise that hurt my ears then I tried to stopped when I opened the door it was full of smoke it really smelled bad my head felt kind of wear with the smoke it made me kind of dizzy and sleepy from then my car doesn't work.

- Ruidoso, NM, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. While driving, the vehicle completely shut off as if the contact turned the vehicle off herself. She steered the vehicle into the emergency lane and restarted it after a few minutes. The first failures occurred 1-2 months apart. Most recently, the failure has been occurring every other day. She took the vehicle to a mechanic friend, who stated that the issue may have been caused by NHTSA campaign id number 02V120000 regarding the ignition; however, a formal diagnosis was never received. The latest occurrence was on April 16, 2009 while driving 15 mph. The dealer and manufacturer have not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 183,400 and failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

I have several complaints: 1) the SRS light came on. The dealer claimed that I needed a new computer at a cost of $900. I researched possible problems on this and other websites and had listed the technical service bulletins that were relevant. The dealer was not so thorough. My research showed that Honda had been having problem with these computers already for several years and done nothing about it. The problem was with a sensor on the passenger side air bag which was malfunctioning in such a way as to leave in doubt whether or not the air bag would deploy. It is ridiculous that consumers have to pay nearly $1,000 to fix systemic problems in a safety system that have repeatedly not been addressed. 2) my ABS light started coming on. When starting the engine the pump motor for the ABS system would activate and attempt to pump fluid in the system. It could be heard from inside the car as a grinding noise. It would cycle on and off for about 6 or so times then the relay would trip, turn off motor and illuminate the ABS light. The dealer claimed that the ams module was malfunctioning and needed replacement at a cost of $1,700. Ridiculous. After doing some research online it seems that this is also a common failure for this make and model of car. 3) wireless entry system failed. 4) A/C evaporator sprung a leak 5) driver side passenger door auto lock does not work. This car is far from reliable, as advertised to be, and very questionable in the safety department. I am finished with Honda!

- League City, TX, USA

I had to split up my complaint because of the size restriction on the description field. In addition to the ignition coil problem described below I have also had problems with the SRS system, ABS system, wireless entry system, air conditioner, and the auto door locks (all of which are described in another complaint). For a long time the tachometer behaved randomly. It would surge then fall to zero. For periods of time it behaved normally. There was no pattern to the behavior. Initially the engine performance was nominal. Over time the engine began surging and stalling, not necessarily in rhythm with the tachometer, nor exhibiting such behavior when the tach was acting up. Again there was no obvious pattern. Finally the check engine light came on referencing a transmission code that referred to the ignition coil. Interestingly once the code was cleared the check engine light when out and did not illuminate for some time. The next time it illuminated it eventually turned itself out. I finally took the car to the detailer. The dealer said that the ignition coil was not talking to the tach and the computer could not read the engine idle speed. Consequently it was recommended to replace the ignition coil as it evidently had an electrical failure. I am still researching this problem, but it appears that other owners have had experiences with their 1997 Honda Accord' engines surging and stalling and in some cases causing accidents. This is definitely not safe and definitely unacceptable. As I mentioned before, I am through with Honda!!!!!

- League City, TX, USA

Consumer stated that the battery died and was replaced. The consumer feels that the problem was with the ignition switch.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

The vehicle power steering failed.

- Fairlawn, NJ, USA