CarComplaints.com Notes: 1997 is the last model year in the 5th generation of Accord. Which means it's also the last model year before problems like widespread transmission failure, subframe rust and peeling paint took over.

Does the 1997 have problems? Sure it does. Any car this old will. Some owners say their engine started to cut out around 147,000 miles. That's still not bad, and getting to 200,000+ miles isn't out of the question.

Does anyone believe a newer Accord will reach 200,000 miles?

2.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,701 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Honda Accord electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Honda Accord:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1997 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #32

Sep 012014

Accord

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the seat belt failed to latch in place without warning. In addition, the contact stated that the ignition key disengaged while in the on position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #31

Apr 012014

Accord

  • 183,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving at an unknown speed. The dealer stated that the O-ring needed to be replaced and an oil leak needed to be repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 02V120000 (electrical system) and NHTSA campaign number: 98V231000 (electrical system). The failure progressively worsened and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician stated that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 183,000.

- North Hampton, MA, USA

problem #30

Sep 182010

Accord

  • 200,000 miles
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

problem #29

Sep 102010

(reported on)

Accord

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1997 Honda Accord. Consumer states vehicle was not apart of 2002 recall but has a problem concerning the ignition switch the consumer stated the key would come out of the ignition, when the vehicle was in drive or neutral. On one occasion the vehicle slightly rolled in the parking lot at work and hit another vehicle. There was not much of an incline, so neither vehicle was damaged. The dealer replaced a faulty ignition lock cylinder.

- Woodridge, IL, USA

problem #28

Jul 212010

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the ignition on the vehicle would not lock. He had to turn it completely off in order for the key to come out of the ignition without being in park. The failure made it possible for the vehicle roll away and potentially cause a crash to occur. Honda stated that they could offer no assistance and the repairs would be at the owners expense. The current and failure mileages were approximately 115,000. Updated 11/12/10 updated 11/16/10

- Kendall Park, NJ, USA

problem #27

Jun 092009

Accord

  • 109,000 miles
Engine stalls without warning, increasing the risk of a crash. Occurs unexpected and with out any warning. Instance occurs at all speeds and leaves driver in possible deadly situation. Failure corrected on similar Honda vehicles on recall 02V120000 (ignition switch) but not all models included as in my VIN.

- Waxahachie, TX, USA

problem #26

Jun 012009

Accord

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. The contact noticed that when he placed the ignition in the lock position, the vehicle would not start. He had to turn the ignition several times in order for the vehicle to start. The dealer stated that a new ignition switch would cost $500. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was 12 years old and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 02V120000 (electrical system: Ignition: Switch). They would not assist with the repair. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 60,000.

- Murray , UT, USA

problem #25

May 012009

Accord

  • 135,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. In 2004, the vehicle was repaired according to a recall for the ignition switch. While driving 25 mph, the ignition switch failed again and the vehicle lost power. The failure also occurs at various speeds. The vehicle is currently at the dealer for repairs. The current mileage was 143,000 and failure mileage was 135,000.

- Flower Mound , TX, USA

problem #24

Apr 192007

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 179,180 miles
Honda missed a recall on an ignition switch that could have caused me a fatal accident as the car was stopping on the freeway once at full speed 65+ mph I brought the car in with detail of the problem "the car dying' and they misdiagnosed it and failed to see the recall which they would have had access to once they input the VIN - Honda then refused to reimburse me the money I paid for the unnecessary and unsuccessful work that they did.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #23

Apr 012007

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 179,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. While driving 50 mph or greater, the vehicle shut off. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the pgmfi relay was the cause of failure. The vehicle has not been repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 02V120000 (electrical system:ignition:switch). The current mileage was 184,000 and failure mileage was 179,000.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #22

Jul 012006

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 1997 Honda Accord. I have been having serious problems with the car turning off while I am driving. It looks as if the problem should have been covered in NHTSA campaign id number 02V120000 but was not. I consulted the Honda dealer and they said that my car was not covered by this recall and therefore I must pay for the repairs to the ignition switch. With a possible one million cars recalled, it seems as if they have missed some. I have also found other people with the same problem and feel that it needs to be addressed. Thanks for your help.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #21

Jan 212006

Accord 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 108,656 miles
: the contact stated while driving at 40 mph the engine stalled without warning. The ignition switch had already been replaced twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who performed diagnostic testing and determined the ignition switch was bad again. The dealership replaced the ignition switch again. Updated 2/9/2006 - the ignition switch was also recalled (02V120000) in the summer 2002. The dealer installed an improved ignition switch but that one failed as well.

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #20

Oct 052004

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 151,000 miles
A recall for the ignition switch was issued. Dealer refused to repair the vehicle under the recall because of an after market anti-theft device that was added by the manufacturer upon delivery of vehicle to consumer.

- Conyers, GA, USA

problem #19

Jun 012004

Accord

  • 81,000 miles
Consumer was able to take the key out of the ignition switch without the vehicle being in park. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- East Point, GA, USA

problem #18

Jul 072004

Accord

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,600 miles
The consumer had the ignition switch replaced on a recall number 99I-0020000 on January 20. The same problem started again in June. Vehicle stalled while driving on the highway at 65 mph. The consumer was almost struck by another vehicle. The dealer was contacted, and they stated that the parts had already been replaced twice, and there has to be something else wrong.

- Cobleskill, NY, USA

problem #17

Dec 232002

Accord

  • miles
Per consumer, after the dealership superior Honda; orangeburg SC; 803-531-6161, had the vehicle for over a week the recall for the igntion switch 02 V 070 000 was not done.

- Orangeburg, SC, USA

problem #16

Dec 192002

(reported on)

Accord

  • miles
No parts available. Recall #02120000 ignition switch. Ataman Honda 978-851-4356 please provide the address.

- Lowell, MA, USA

problem #15

Nov 042002

(reported on)

Accord

  • miles
The consumer received a recall letter concerning the installation of an ignition switch. The consumer was told that because he had an alarm system, he would have to pay to recieve the recall.

- Buena Park, CA, USA

problem #14

Oct 142002

Accord

  • miles
NHTSA# 02 V 120 000/ignition switch: Island Honda, manahawkin, NJ was unable to honor recall. Not enough parts available.

- Manahawkin, NJ, USA

problem #13

Oct 152002

(reported on)

Accord

  • miles
NHTSA recall campaign 02V120000 ignition switch; the owner does not agree with the process that Honda manufacture has instructed the dealership to charge the owners to remove wires for remote entry/alarm system. He wanted the Honda manufacture to send him a letter stating this process is in conjunction with the recall. The phone numbers that was given to him by the corporation are either not working or they will not transfer him to the contact person which he spoke to when first called.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

Read the next 12 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?