1997 Honda Accord Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 10%of 460 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 96,878miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Honda Accord, 10% of the 460 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,878 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have had my 1997 Honda Accord lx 4cyl for about 4 years. I have searched this problem just about everywhere, and while I've seen the problem reported in hundreds of Honda owners, I have yet to see a solid solution. Problem: car shutting off while driving, strong fuel/gas smell when this happens, dash lights shutting off and going black, door locks jumping up and down my car is shutting off while driving - whether I'm on a residential street, or going 75 MPH on the highway. I have been blessed not to be hit by another car when this happens. …”
NHTSA complaint #10343779, filed 2010-07, 186,000 miles“Honda recommends replacing timing belt, balancer belt and water pump at 7 years or 105,000 miles on the 1997 Honda Accord. I had the dealer replace them all at 7 years and 36,139 miles, in 2004. The replacement water pump failed prematurely in just over five years and 39,618 miles later. Earlier this year I kept seeing coolant under the car. I had the dealer install new belts and a new water pump. The new pump failed right out of the box spilling coolant on the new belts. So, the dealer removed the new belts, installed another new water pump and then reinstalled the same belts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10327619, filed 2010-04, 75,757 miles“Vehicle was taken in for a recall repairs for a balancer shaft oil seal leak. Honda refused to pay for the repairs. Honda insisted their responsibility ended in january 2003. However, consumer called in september 2002 to get this work done. It wasn't mentioned at that time. File wasn't updated, resulting in refusal of recall repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #10053983, filed 2004-01, 57,900 miles“The air bag module failed causing the sensor light to stay on. The consumer was concerned that the air bag will not deploy upon impact. The vehicle had an engine oil leak, the dealer replaced the valve cover gasket.”
NHTSA complaint #10075536, filed 2004-07, 61,000 miles“I lost more than half of the oil on 2 mile drive to school- broken seal, with no warning whatsoever. My luck it did not happen on the interstate highway- the car would've been gone. A mechanic at firestone service center was not surprised - he had seen this happen on many other accords.”
NHTSA complaint #735877, filed 2000-11Related service bulletins
- 10014017Jul 1, 2004Poor a/c cooling during hard acceleration.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 0% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 10 | 1% |
| 2018 | 28 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 0% |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% |
| 2013 | 7 | 0% |
| 2012 | 9 | 2% |
| 2011 | 4 | 1% |
| 2010 | 12 | 2% |
| 2009 | 29 | 4% |
| 2008 | 41 | 3% |
| 2007 | 26 | 5% |
| 2006 | 19 | 4% |
| 2005 | 27 | 4% |
| 2004 | 28 | 3% |
| 2003 | 95 | 5% |
| 2002 | 33 | 3% |
| 2001 | 29 | 3% |
| 2000 | 65 | 5% |
| 1999 | 144 | 13% |
| 1998 | 134 | 11% |
| 1997 | 48 | 10% |
| 1996 | 96 | 20% |
| 1995 | 43 | 8% |
| 1994 | 84 | 23% |
| 1993 | 35 | 19% |
| 1992 | 19 | 9% |
| 1991 | 14 | 7% |
| 1990 | 13 | 7% |
| 1989 | 12 | 14% |
| 1988 | 8 | 9% |
| 1987 | 6 | 5% |
| 1986 | 3 | 6% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
| 1984 | 4 | 18% |
| 1982 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1997 Honda Accord
113 complaintsElectrical system
96 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 27, 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