1997 Honda Civic Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 140about this part
- Share
- 38%of 373 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 140 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Honda Civic, 38% of the 373 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,500 miles. 48 of these say a crash was involved and 1 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.
“The srs light came on my 1997 Honda Civic (about 78,000 miles) while driving and stays lit. The dealership (mathews Honda 8-19-09) says the srs unit has an internal failure. $762 plus tax to repair. After review it appears there are many experiencing this same failure so I felt it necessary to report the issue to you. Thank you for your time!”
NHTSA complaint #10280985, filed 2009-08, 77,400 miles“Takata recall my airbags went off when I was turning and went over a a bump, and cracked my windshield really bad on the passenger side. The srs red light had been on for quite some time before this. When this occurred it blew a fuse and I had to have it towed. I did not file a police report because I only have liability insurance for the car so insurance did not need it. I have also had problems with the wiring and the cruise control would not work and would honk the horn when I tried to use it”
NHTSA complaint #10944444, filed 2017-01, 169,000 miles“Takata recall? While driving straight through my neighborhood boulevard I fell asleep, causing me to quickly acceleratte and hit a tree head on approximately 40 MPH, according to multiple witnesses and emergency responders. No airbags deployed in the car. My face and body hit the steering wheel, resulting in 4 teeth knocked out, 8 spine disc herniations and injuries, a heart contusion, whiplash, concussion, cracked collar bone, and much bruising, and broken eye glasses, retrieved by an attending neighbor witness. …”
NHTSA complaint #11053584, filed 2017-12, 158,000 miles“Takata recall: on 11/21/2012 my son was seriously injured in a collision with another vehicle that pulled out in front of him on a hwy where the speed limit is 50 MPH. My son was able to brake and steer to avoid the collision but still impacted the other car's left rear quarter-panel. As a result of the impact, his airbag deployed but with such force that it separated from the steering column and exited the vehicle. He received major facial lacerations and fractures in addition to an gaping wound in his wrist. …”
NHTSA complaint #10863014, filed 2016-05, 181,040 miles“There was no accident, only failure of the srs control unit of my 1997 Honda Civic dx hatchback (3 door) with 46,000 miles. I'd say it's reasonable to demand that safety equipment be covered for the lifetime of the car. For my safety restraint system (srs control unit for the airbags), which I've *never* used, to cost me $760 to repair is outrageous! It's probably an $80 computer part.”
NHTSA complaint #10159143, filed 2006-06, 46,000 milesRelated recalls
- 20V026000Jan 17, 2020Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX…Covers: Honda Civic 1996–2000, CR-V 1997–2000, Accord 1998–2000 +6 more
- 97V193000Nov 1, 1997Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The front passenger air bag modules have been improperly assembled. The cloth flaps covering the folded air bag may…Covers: Honda Civic 1997–1998
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 3 | 4% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 8 | 3% |
| 2022 | 9 | 1% |
| 2021 | 9 | 6% |
| 2020 | 29 | 12% |
| 2019 | 12 | 3% |
| 2018 | 23 | 3% |
| 2017 | 24 | 4% |
| 2016 | 28 | 3% |
| 2015 | 58 | 15% |
| 2014 | 57 | 19% |
| 2013 | 114 | 36% |
| 2012 | 149 | 33% |
| 2011 | 51 | 30% |
| 2010 | 96 | 24% |
| 2009 | 95 | 24% |
| 2008 | 177 | 19% |
| 2007 | 156 | 13% |
| 2006 | 181 | 13% |
| 2005 | 129 | 41% |
| 2004 | 133 | 38% |
| 2003 | 140 | 28% |
| 2002 | 241 | 34% |
| 2001 | 310 | 29% |
| 2000 | 82 | 29% |
| 1999 | 58 | 17% |
| 1998 | 96 | 22% |
| 1997 | 140 | 38% |
| 1996 | 70 | 23% |
| 1995 | 76 | 38% |
| 1994 | 56 | 41% |
| 1993 | 27 | 18% |
| 1992 | 17 | 17% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1997 Honda Civic
38 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
33 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsTires
27 complaintsEngine cooling
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsSeat belts
13 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Honda Civic
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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