1997 Honda Civic Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 8%of 373 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Honda Civic, 8% of the 373 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I had car computer problems, air conditioning problem and paint on car body is cracking. These problems started to happen gradually, computer problems happened while I was driving on the road in the city; the paint started to crack for many years and the car looks miserable. The air conditioning broke down during a summer time, when I had no money to repair it and had to suffer due to the high heat weather. There is also a crack somewhere in the engine, not sure where, which can make things worse.”
NHTSA complaint #10862668, filed 2016-05, 45,000 miles“The vtec-e on my 1997 Honda Civic hx is not engaging at the proper times which is not only an annoyance when driving, but also a safety hazard when it engages at low speeds (which it should not do) in traffic launching you forward into the back ends of other vehicles. Has caused (2) rearenders.”
NHTSA complaint #10399539, filed 2011-05, 15,000 miles“1- car has had problems with srs light for several years now 2- number of things done to fix and still not fixed - this is a completely stock vehicle from the factory- no moods! The dealer says with the srs light on the car absolutely has no airbags that will work. 3- changed the battery, took it into a dealer and he reset it, still not fixed. Dealer says they can't do anything about it.”
NHTSA complaint #10116923, filed 2005-04, 60,000 miles“While driving, the vehicle struck a pot hole, and the passenger's side air bag deployed. However, the driver's seat belt did not lock, and passenger struck his face on the steering wheel. The passenger air bag did not open and the check engine and the air bag light remained on.”
NHTSA complaint #10092582, filed 2004-10, 68,069 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10018467Sep 1, 2005Troubleshooting tips for dtc p1381.
- 10016353Apr 16, 2005Transferring odometer mileage at odometer r&r.
- 10014106Jul 16, 2004Poor radio reception, seek-stop test.
- 10014025Jul 1, 2004Dtc p1381 set check the ignition coil shield.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 16% |
| 2025 | 6 | 8% |
| 2024 | 8 | 6% |
| 2023 | 17 | 7% |
| 2022 | 38 | 4% |
| 2021 | 18 | 12% |
| 2020 | 37 | 16% |
| 2019 | 37 | 8% |
| 2018 | 61 | 8% |
| 2017 | 103 | 17% |
| 2016 | 119 | 11% |
| 2015 | 28 | 7% |
| 2014 | 39 | 13% |
| 2013 | 39 | 12% |
| 2012 | 60 | 13% |
| 2011 | 16 | 9% |
| 2010 | 23 | 6% |
| 2009 | 36 | 9% |
| 2008 | 51 | 6% |
| 2007 | 67 | 6% |
| 2006 | 100 | 7% |
| 2005 | 26 | 8% |
| 2004 | 32 | 9% |
| 2003 | 51 | 10% |
| 2002 | 49 | 7% |
| 2001 | 59 | 5% |
| 2000 | 38 | 13% |
| 1999 | 118 | 35% |
| 1998 | 88 | 20% |
| 1997 | 30 | 8% |
| 1996 | 17 | 6% |
| 1995 | 12 | 6% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 25 | 17% |
| 1992 | 28 | 29% |
| 1991 | 22 | 20% |
| 1990 | 18 | 20% |
| 1989 | 11 | 16% |
| 1988 | 7 | 15% |
| 1986 | 4 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1997 Honda Civic
140 complaintsVehicle speed control
38 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
33 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 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