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?

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
110,700 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

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1997 Honda Accord Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #31

Sep 302021

Accord

  • miles

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

While driving car speed starts to fall soon there is no pedal at all and smoke and fire come from underneath dashboard transmission hesitates to shift now currently un safe to drive.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #30

Jun 042020

Accord

  • miles
I test drive 1997 Honda Accord and you had to pump the break paddle to slow it down within 4 block radius when returning the garage the service engine light came on the vehicle started vibrating this was last week this month June 2020. They selling the for $1600. The blue book show it worth $800. To 1200. This vehicle serious mechanical issu

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #29

Aug 042018

Accord

  • 131,377 miles
I am hearing electrical sparking sound when I turn ignition switch to start position. The car starts only after several attempts. Car was stationary.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #28

Aug 042018

Accord

  • 131,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start when prompted. A dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 02V120000 (electrical system) as the source of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #27

Apr 072018

Accord

  • miles
The car dies while driving, sometimes in motion, sometimes stopped in traffic. The mechanic said it is the ignition switch. This was the subject of a recall previously in 2002. I can't tell if my car was listed or repaired then.

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #26

Jan 302017

Accord

  • 234,000 miles
My car spontaneously blew up on Monday. Hadn't driven it in over 2 hours. Believe it falls under recall number 98V231000. No check engine lights and regularly maintenanced.

- Bristol, TN, USA

problem #25

Feb 292016

Accord

  • 201,300 miles

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

Honda dealership replaced ignition switch. The original ignition switch was replaced in the 2002 recall. The replacement switch was replaced in 2016 after exhibiting the same symptoms that led to the original recall: Silent stall. The faulty switch led to a stall at a stop light and when the light turned green I was rear ended as I was attempting to restart the car. I had to reach out to Honda asking them to verify the problem and replace at no charge.

- Cupertino, CA, USA

problem #24

Feb 082016

Accord

  • miles
The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. After starting the vehicle, it stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact was not aware if the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 02V120000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Clayton, CA, USA

problem #23

Nov 292015

Accord

  • 230,000 miles
This car randomly shuts down as I am driving have taken it to numerous places and nothing is found. Shut down 6 times in a row last time with my child in the car on a dark highway cold and raining. Very dangerous!!! the inside lights flash on and off all of the time mostly turning curves, wasting battery. Noise in the front wheels/tires/axles like something is waiting to break off as you are driving. Overheated last year for no apparent reason costing ton of money. I have replaced the compressor twice and still the air conditioner doesn't cool. I leave the "air" button on to keep the fans running so it doesn't overheat as I'm driving. Not to mention in the summer it is blowing out heat and all the windows do not roll down. This car is a mess and I will never purchase another Honda. Thanks-

- Franklin, TN, USA

problem #22

May 152013

Accord

  • 235,000 miles
My car engine some times used to suddenly shut off and stop abruptly, while slowing or braking. At times, it will start right away after cranking the ignition switch, but, some times, required several tries. Abrupt stopping caused extremely dangerous situation, as the drivers behind had to make very hard stops and narrowly missed hitting rear end of my Honda. Since the problem was occurring intermittently, it was very difficult to diagnose and took almost one year. First my mechanic thought it was caused by defective idling speed control relay, then due to bad ignition related relay, which was replaced, but the fault persisted and stalling became more frequent. Actually, the defect was due to worn or defective ignition switch, which use to shut the engine off while slowing or braking. After replacing the ignition switch approximately one year ago, car has never stalled.

- Piscataway, NJ, USA

problem #21

Apr 282015

Accord

  • 198,500 miles

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

Engine stalled suddenly, without warning, while driving on highway. Since first occurrence it has been happening more frequently, sometimes on the highway and sometimes while stopped at traffic lights. Is very difficult to restart.

- Camarillo, CA, USA

problem #20

Jan 122015

Accord

  • 22,536 miles
I was backing up. I put the car in drive then it died and started to smoke I got out of the car and looked under hood, saw flames from bottom of car, told my daughter the car is on fire. We got our things and out and I called the fire department to put out the fire.

- Orangevale, CA, USA

problem #19

Mar 272014

Accord

  • 260,000 miles
Vehicle stalled without warning. Continued to stall at low speeds high speeds cold engine hot engine. Since it was intermittent, mechanic had trouble diagnosing. I found a recall on NHTSA regarding this problem in which the ignition switch module was to blame. Honda refused to honor the recall given the length of time that had passed so I had it repaired at my mechanics.

- Poplar Branch, NC, USA

problem #18

Feb 042012

Accord

  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while traveling 70 mph, the vehicle stalled and was able to restart. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 02V120000 (electrical system) but the failure recurred two days after the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.

- Sioux City, IA, USA

problem #17

Oct 192012

Accord 4-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
I noticed the problem once just by accident. I was stopped at a grocery parking lot with a slight slope. I was in a rush and I took the key out of the ignition and as I was getting out of the door, the car began to roll. I realized that the car was still in drive but the key had come out of the ignition. I thought this is very dangerous and so I am reporting this issue. Please investigate.

- Westford, MA, USA

problem #16

Jun 012012

Accord 4-cyl

  • miles
Due to an investigation by the NHTSA Honda is recalling some of their vehicles for faulty ignition interlocks. My vehicle is not included in this recall but does have this exact problem. The keys will come out of the ignition when the car is not in park. I have had a couple of incidences where my car has rolled away but I've been able to get in and stop it before it has struck anything. This is dangerous. I have talked to Honda but they will not fix the ignition interlock in my car since it is not included in the recall. I feel that since they are recalling some models for this safety concern they should be responsible to replace the ignition interlock my vehicle as well. Is there anything NHTSA can do to help with this issue?

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #15

May 152012

Accord 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Engine just turns off. I am able to restart it immediately by shifting to neutral. This happens 2-3 times in a week and then it stops occurring for a couple weeks and the repeats the cycle. Now it is happening more frequently. The local dealer says this particular vehicle has already had the "recall completed". my question is what is my recourse if the problem is still happening even after the recall has been completed.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

problem #14

Sep 012011

Accord

  • 12,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. The contact stated the vehicle stalled without warning numerous times. The dealer advised the contact that NHTSA campaign id number 02V120000 electrical system: Ignition: Switch repair was performed; however the failure was not corrected. The contact stated the ignition failure caused the muffler to fail. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 140,000.

- Wentzville , MO, USA

problem #13

Feb 112012

Accord 4-cyl

  • 144,000 miles
On my way home on I-295 my car lost all power and was hard to steer and brakes did not work. I was able to coast to a stop in the emergency lane. I had the car towed to a local mechanic who informed me that it was a bad ignition switch. I took the car to the Honda dealership and the part was under recall. The Honda tech called me yesterday and tried to tell me that the problem was in the fuse box. My mechanic already knew it was the switch and Honda told me the same thing when I dropped the car off. Im not sure if they were trying to upsell me or deny responsibility.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #12

Dec 012008

Accord

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord SE (na). The contact stated that when the vehicle was set on cruise control and the temperature was below 45 degrees, the vehicle would continuously accelerate. The contact also mentioned that he was unable to remove the key out of the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that they were unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was contacted who stated that the vehicle was not covered under warranty and was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 180,000.

- Westford, MA, USA

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