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 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,919 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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1997 Honda Accord Owner Comments

problem #10

Dec 092013

Accord

  • miles

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

I'm the owner of 1997 Honda Accord LX.recently, I have checked safercars.gov website to see if my car has any outstanding recalls pending. Yet, I have found one suspension:front:control arm: Lower ball joint. For vehicles year 1997-1998 Honda Accord's. I have contacted Honda on 09 Dec 13 at which time I was informed that my VIN does not qualify my vehicle for a recall.I'm very concerned about this, since it may cause sudden vehicle deceleration and sudden loss of power and steering controllability could be also be affected. Safety is our biggest concern to me and my family. Please if you can help me resolve this issue.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #9

May 282011

Accord 4-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint summary: Vehicle description: Passenger vehicles. Certain vehicles were manufactured with ball joints that can prematurely wear out and, in the worse case, the ball joint would separate causing the front suspension to collapse. Consequences: This condition would result in vehicle deceleration and a sudden loss of power. Also steering controllability would be reduced. My car VIN is not listed under this recall but I just had an estimate to fix those exact parts. The swaybar bushing is breaking according to the dealership service manager but I cannot afford to remedy the situation. I am afraid something bad will happen as I must drive over 2,300 miles this week. Is there any way to see if Honda's recall will expand its vehicles it covers under this safety issue?

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #8

Oct 102009

Accord

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 35 mph, the drive shaft disengaged because the left ball joints failed. This condition caused the engine to stall. The manufacturer was notified, and he was advised that his vehicle identification number was excluded from recall # 99V069000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint). The failure mileage was 155,000. The vehicle identification number was unavailable.

- San Luisobispo, CA, USA

problem #7

Oct 172005

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

1997 Honda Accord. The consumer stated that the driver's side front lower ball joint had completely broke off while in motion, at 30 mph causing the consumers vehicle to go off of the road. This damaged the under carriage, bent the rim and damaged the tire and axle. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who stated that the problem was a catastrophic failure of the ball joints. The mechanic said that the upper ball joint may have been damaged. Honda stated that there was a recall for these vehicles, but did not include this vehicle due to VIN. The consumer sustained injuries, as well as neck and back pain. This happened on October 17, 2005. (11/22/05) refer to recall campaign #99V069000.

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #6

Sep 302005

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
1997 Honda Accord. Dealership was not honoring extended warranty. American Honda sent the consumer campaign I 98-081 for extended warranty. Went online for a recall that NHTSA had for lower ball joints. American Honda ran consumer's VIN on website and they said that the lower ball joints did not need to be replaced, but they were going to replace the oil. Vehicle would be ready on tomorrow by noon. The lower ball joint was confirmed and there was no issue with them. The issue was for the dealership to honor the extended warranty that Honda issued. The service manager said it was not in their interest to let other customers know about safety needs..

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

problem #5

Jan 032005

Accord

  • miles
I have a 1997 Honda Accord, with ball joint problems. The consumer was not aware of the ball joint recall and the air condition recall on the vehicle when it was sold to her. The vehicle had to be towed because the ball joint failed.

- La Habra, CA, USA

problem #4

Dec 162004

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,190 miles

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

Consumer was driving at 30 mph when the right front passenger wheel came off. Vehicle was towed, and it was determined that the lower ball joints separated, and the axle cracked. Manufacturer stated that this vehicle was not included in the ball joint NHTSA recall 99V069000.....as aresult, of broken lower ball joint right front wheel detached and was lodged undeneath the body of the vehicle. The front end was on the ground, and fluid was leaking all over the road. Consumer called aaa and vehicle was towed T a local mechanic, who identified the problem as a broken right side lower ball joint. However, it was obvious to the mechanic that this was not a typical problen, and was not the result of naural wear. There was a technical servic ebulletin which applied to this vehicle. Mechanic replaced lower ball joint and cracked axle. In addition, had the ball joint on the other side replaced, even though it seemed to be tight, as a precaution so that this would not happen again.

- Cheshire, CT, USA

problem #3

May 022003

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles
The front lower ball joints needed to be replaced.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #2

Jun 022001

Accord 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles
There is a recall for a 97 Honda Accord that matches the problem with my vehicle. I contacted Honda motor company and they gave me the run around and said that my VIN does not match any recalls for this problem. I also wanted to know the build date of my vehicle, you would think they would know that since they built it, no information was given, they don't know. NHTSA campaign id #99V069000.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #1

Jun 081999

Accord

  • miles
Consumer took vehicle in for recall (99V-069) of the lower ball joint repair, eight months later cumsumer recieved reminder card stating repair had not been performed yet. Nlm

- Dallas, TX, USA

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