1997 Honda Accord Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 96about this part
- Share
- 21%of 460 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 135,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 96 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Honda Accord, 21% of the 460 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 135,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 6 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10628710, filed 2014-08, 260,000 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“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10676271, filed 2015-01, 22,536 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10850118, filed 2016-03, 201,300 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10491791, filed 2013-01, 80,000 milesRelated recalls
- 02V120000May 16, 2002On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current…Covers: Honda Accord 1997–1999, Acura CL 1997–1999, Honda CR-V 1997–1999 +5 more
- 98V231000Sep 22, 1998Vehicle description: sedan, coupe and wagon passenger vehicles except the dx model and models with v6 engines. The factory installed air conditioner wire…Covers: Honda Accord 1995–1997
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 7% |
| 2025 | 11 | 11% |
| 2024 | 26 | 17% |
| 2023 | 23 | 26% |
| 2022 | 107 | 41% |
| 2021 | 68 | 28% |
| 2020 | 54 | 15% |
| 2019 | 109 | 16% |
| 2018 | 296 | 16% |
| 2017 | 155 | 29% |
| 2016 | 201 | 33% |
| 2015 | 237 | 39% |
| 2014 | 378 | 38% |
| 2013 | 417 | 29% |
| 2012 | 32 | 9% |
| 2011 | 18 | 6% |
| 2010 | 34 | 6% |
| 2009 | 44 | 6% |
| 2008 | 105 | 7% |
| 2007 | 60 | 11% |
| 2006 | 42 | 10% |
| 2005 | 96 | 15% |
| 2004 | 146 | 14% |
| 2003 | 142 | 7% |
| 2002 | 69 | 7% |
| 2001 | 78 | 8% |
| 2000 | 171 | 14% |
| 1999 | 388 | 34% |
| 1998 | 308 | 26% |
| 1997 | 96 | 21% |
| 1996 | 40 | 8% |
| 1995 | 43 | 8% |
| 1994 | 32 | 9% |
| 1993 | 28 | 15% |
| 1992 | 26 | 13% |
| 1991 | 17 | 8% |
| 1990 | 26 | 14% |
| 1989 | 6 | 7% |
| 1988 | 4 | 5% |
| 1987 | 4 | 4% |
| 1986 | 3 | 6% |
| 1984 | 2 | 9% |
| 1983 | 1 | 14% |
| 1982 | 2 | 20% |
| 1981 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1997 Honda Accord
113 complaintsEngine cooling
48 complaintsVehicle speed control
38 complaintsBrakes
37 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
33 complaintsSuspension
28 complaintsSeat belts
23 complaintsEquipment
16 complaintsTires
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Honda Accord
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology