1997 Honda Civic Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 7%of 373 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Honda Civic, 7% of the 373 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 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.
“I brought my 1997 Honda Civic in for a recurring problem which was covered under an warranty issued by Honda for resetting an emissions problem in 1997 civics. This is the seventh time I had to have this light reset. The warranty was for up to 150k miles. This time I had 152k miles. I was told from now on I would have to pay a $85 diagnostic fee plus repair. This is unfair as this is a recurring problem that has not been corrected. As this occurs on average every 12,000 miles I could have to pay this diagnostic fee of $85 plus parts for a recurring problem that has not been fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10140124, filed 2005-10, 28,220 miles“Exhaust manifold is cracked and leaks. Manifold makes noise and exhaust gas can be smelled in the passenger compartment. This does not comply with fmvss requiring all exhaust gases be vented behind the passenger compartment.”
NHTSA complaint #10023336, filed 2003-06, 90,000 miles“After vehicle warms to operating temp. And the rpms are between 2000 and 3000. The vehicle bogs down, releasing the throttle or pushing in the clutch pedal and the vehicle idle is normal. If the throttle is pushed down and the rpms rise, the problem goes away. When this occurs the vehicle can bog down and then straighten out the speed will resume to where it should be. This is an intermittent problem with no rhyme or reason associated with it. I have had the vehicle in the shop several times and have asked countless number of people. …”
NHTSA complaint #10020999, filed 2003-06, 110,000 miles“My engine light came on due to the fact that I needed to replace my o2 sensor. While attempting to replace it we noticed a crack in the exhaust manifold. When we took it to the shop we were told that this was a common problem with Honda civics. Apparently they see the manifolds start to crack around 110,000 miles. The cost was nearly $700 to replace it.”
NHTSA complaint #10086743, filed 2004-08“Since oct '02, I have had my car in and out of the dealership due to the recall for emissions. Each time, the check engine light has come on, I have taken it to the dealership and had the problem fixed. The first time, the computer went bad and was replaced. The second time, the o2 sensor went bad and the car stalled out on a busy interstate in nc where construction is being done and there are no shoulders to pull off on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10007726, filed 2003-02Related service bulletins
- 10053545Aug 9, 2013Honda: troubleshooting of diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p1456 and p1457. Dealers are to run evap function test to find if there is a leak so the vehicle can be repaired.
- 10017639Jun 10, 2005Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p0420 or engine ping under load.
- 10015294Feb 16, 2005Timesert 14mm drain plug thread repair kit.
- 10014017Jul 1, 2004Poor a/c cooling during hard acceleration.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 0% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% |
| 2010 | 10 | 3% |
| 2009 | 12 | 3% |
| 2008 | 55 | 6% |
| 2007 | 74 | 6% |
| 2006 | 151 | 11% |
| 2005 | 19 | 6% |
| 2004 | 16 | 5% |
| 2003 | 37 | 7% |
| 2002 | 31 | 4% |
| 2001 | 64 | 6% |
| 2000 | 47 | 16% |
| 1999 | 30 | 9% |
| 1998 | 53 | 12% |
| 1997 | 25 | 7% |
| 1996 | 27 | 9% |
| 1995 | 7 | 4% |
| 1994 | 9 | 7% |
| 1993 | 13 | 9% |
| 1992 | 6 | 6% |
| 1991 | 5 | 5% |
| 1990 | 6 | 7% |
| 1989 | 8 | 12% |
| 1988 | 4 | 9% |
| 1987 | 1 | 3% |
| 1986 | 3 | 9% |
| 1985 | 2 | 13% |
| 1984 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Honda Civic
140 complaintsVehicle speed control
38 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
33 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsTires
27 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 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