1997 Honda Accord Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about an air bag (SRS) warning light that stays on, and about ignition switch problems that can stall the engine or let the key come out with the car not in Park. Many complaints also cover a worn automatic transmission, an ABS modulator that buzzes or clicks, and occasional loss of cruise control or unexpected acceleration. Reports are spread across a wide mileage range, from under 70,000 miles to well past 200,000.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch stalls and key removal out of Park

   Mentioned in 20 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off without warning at various speeds, sometimes restarting after a few minutes, and difficulty getting the car to start. Others report the key can be pulled out with the transmission not in Park, so the car can roll. Dealers sometimes replaced the ignition switch under a recall, and some owners say the problem came back or that their vehicle was excluded from the campaign. Spread from about 50,000 to over 180,000 miles; many cases involve cars built outside the recalled population.

   Recall 02V120000

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch was replaced under recall 02V120000 and whether it has been replaced again since; try removing the key with the shifter in Drive to see if the lock holds.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10350345, filed 2010-08, 130,000 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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10578367, filed 2014-04, 180,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Air bag (SRS) warning light stays on

   • 94 complaints (20%)
   • median 75,320 mi at 7.8 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 20 quotes)
   • filed 1998–2017

   Owners describe the SRS light coming on and staying on, sometimes after a simple reset that only lasts a short time. Dealers and mechanics typically diagnose a failed control module or sensor and quote several hundred to over a thousand dollars to replace it; some owners report the light returned after battery replacement or a reset. Several say they are still driving with the light on because of the repair cost. Reported from roughly 55,000 to 130,000 miles, often years after purchase and with no prior accident.

   What to check: Turn the key to the run position and confirm the SRS light goes out after the self-test; ask for any diagnostic codes and prior module replacement records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The srs light illuminated indicating an airbag problem with my Honda Accord at approx. 130,000 miles. The dealer charged me $90 for a diagnostic test with a 8-5 internal failure code. Dealer wants to replace srs unit at a cost to me of $1100. I believe this is a safety issue that should be covered by the Honda corporation as a recall as they have courageously done for the Honda civic.”

   NHTSA complaint #10523359, filed 2013-07, 130,000 miles

   “Srs light on 1997 Honda Accord coming on. Diagnosed for $85. Battery replaced. A week later it came back on and stayed on. After another $85, told that srs system is bad, and it will be $830 to replace. I see on the internet that this is a common problem, and learn that the replacement part is upgraded. I bought the Honda because of its high reliability and would appreciate being refunded by Honda.”

   NHTSA complaint #10138723, filed 2005-10, 75,500 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission slips or fails

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe slipping in third and fourth gear, the D4 indicator flashing with the check engine light, and the car refusing to accelerate or dropping gears while driving. Several say a dealer or independent shop concluded the transmission needed replacement, in some cases more than once and despite routine fluid service. Most often reported between about 58,000 and 90,000 miles, with a few at much higher mileage.

   What to check: Test-drive from a stop through all gears and watch for a flashing D4 light or delayed engagement; ask for transmission service history and any rebuild or replacement receipts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On 7/27/03, sunday the check engine light showed up, I decided to take the car to my mechanic right away the next day, but on monday morning, I couldn't even get out to the main road from my development and the car just lost the gear. This happened without any warning sign, and the incident could have turned fatal at highway traffic and speeds. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10070751, filed 2004-01, 58,500 miles

   “Complete Honda Accord automatic transmission failure at 69,550 miles below incident almost resulted in rear end collision on interstate highway when attempting to accelerate onto entrance ramp and vehicle behind required evasive action to prevent rear end collision with my vehicle due to automatic transmission failure, failing to accelerate more than 20 MPH. Four speed automatic transmission completely failed for my 1997 Honda Accord lx, 4-door, with only 69,550 miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10475458, filed 2012-09, 69,550 miles
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected acceleration or cruise control malfunction

   • 33 complaints (7%)
   • median 110,000 mi at 13.3 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 15 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2016

   Owners report the car continuing to accelerate with the gas pedal released or hard, and cruise control that does not disengage when switched off, in some cases leading to a collision. Other complaints describe a sticking throttle cable while parking. Attempts to have the dealer reproduce the problem were sometimes unsuccessful. Mostly reported between about 70,000 and 160,000 miles, with a few cases noted in cold weather.

   What to check: Check that the throttle cable moves freely and returns fully, and test that the cruise control cancels with the switch and the brake pedal.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Pressed the gas pedal on my car, and the car kept accelerating and the gas pedal got hard I had to put the car in park to stop it from hitting a car in front of me all while the engine kept revving, I then turned of the car and when I turned it on it was still doing the same thing until I pressed on the gas pedal again it went back to normal.”

   NHTSA complaint #10472989, filed 2012-08, 93,850 miles

   “Throttle cable stuck while parking at work. Motor revved up and car jumped over median and struck parked car on other side of median. I was brakeing all the time. Car continued revving after crash until motor turned off.”

   NHTSA complaint #10067606, filed 2004-04, 71,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   ABS modulator noise and poor braking feel

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe clicking or buzzing from the ABS, the pedal pushing back, and the car lurching forward when braking, sometimes without the ABS light coming on. Owners also report a failed brake switch that leaves the car with no brake lights and unable to shift out of Park, and dealers quoting high costs for an ABS modulator replacement. Reported from roughly 60,000 to 215,000 miles, including cars serviced routinely since new.

   What to check: Brake firmly at low speed and listen for ABS buzzing or clicks; confirm the brake lights work and that the shifter releases from Park normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1997 Honda Accord ex with 107,000 miles that I had owned since brand new and had serviced routinely developed an ABS braking problem. My brakes were determined to be ok and the ABS light did not come on, but when I stepped on the brakes they would make a loud and slow click click sound, the ABS buzzing sound occurred, the brakes would push up and the car would lurch forward. Dealer replicated the issue and determined that it was likely the modulator needing to be replaced. This seems to be a common issue on here- please look into this! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10358843, filed 2010-10, 107,000 miles

   “1997 Honda Accord ex failed ABS modulator. It seems there are several complaints of this part being a high failure item. Honda just sits back and charges 1300 dollars to replace a safety item. Please Honda make this a recall and start taking care of your customers.”

   NHTSA complaint #10323684, filed 2010-04, 60,000 miles

Buying note. Look closely at the air bag light, transmission behavior, and braking feel on a test drive, and confirm in writing whether recall 02V120000 ignition work was done on this specific vehicle. Records of transmission and ignition switch repairs are worth asking for, since these are the areas owners write about most.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.