1997 Honda Civic Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 3%of 373 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,534miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the seat belts of the 1997 Honda Civic, 3% of the 373 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,534 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Two of the three back seat belts, the center and the back driver's side, have broken away from the buckle side that is bolted to the body of the car. They broke when I tightened then up to buckle a child car seat. It happened on the day that I made this complaint so I haven't been able to replace them.”
NHTSA complaint #10209367, filed 2007-11, 118,250 miles“I own a 97 Honda Civic lx 4dr and have been in 3 accidents w/o air bag deployment. In 9/98 I was rear-ended at 40 MPH which bent the frame of my car and cost several thousand to repair. Honda service said that the airbags would not deploy unless there was a sudden decel and/or frontal impact. A few mos later in 01/99, I was in an accident and the police rpt states that I broadsided a 81 cadillac on the front driver's side at approx 35 MPH. The front end of the cadillac was detroyed. I injured my neck, back, and shoulder as the seat belt did not lock when I flew forward. …”
NHTSA complaint #10029323, filed 2003-07, 25,000 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 miles“Was traveling 25mph & rearended another vehicle sitting too far out in the lane. Left front end pushed backwards. Driver's air bag failed to deploy upon impact. Seat belt did not restrain driver whose head hit the windshield. Had cuts to face & lips from broken windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #831832, filed 1998-12“1997 Honda Civic ex faulty seat belt customer states she stuck in the passenger side seat for twenty minutes before cutting herself free even though Honda has a lifetime seatbelt warranty they will not cover it because of intentional cutting**sb the consumer stated that while in the passenger seat of the vehicle, she tried to get out of the vehicle and the seatbelt would not release her. Overtime the release button began to stick. After several attempts of not only her but her boyfriend trying to release her from the vehicle, the consumer cut the seatbelt in order to get free. …”
NHTSA complaint #10196912, filed 2007-07Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 3 | 1% |
| 2022 | 4 | 0% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 | 5 | 1% |
| 2018 | 3 | 0% |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 0% |
| 2015 | 5 | 1% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% |
| 2012 | 14 | 3% |
| 2011 | 7 | 4% |
| 2010 | 8 | 2% |
| 2009 | 5 | 1% |
| 2008 | 9 | 1% |
| 2007 | 16 | 1% |
| 2006 | 16 | 1% |
| 2005 | 21 | 7% |
| 2004 | 20 | 6% |
| 2003 | 20 | 4% |
| 2002 | 51 | 7% |
| 2001 | 41 | 4% |
| 2000 | 14 | 5% |
| 1999 | 9 | 3% |
| 1998 | 10 | 2% |
| 1997 | 13 | 3% |
| 1996 | 7 | 2% |
| 1995 | 16 | 8% |
| 1994 | 9 | 7% |
| 1993 | 11 | 8% |
| 1992 | 9 | 9% |
| 1991 | 38 | 35% |
| 1990 | 34 | 37% |
| 1989 | 18 | 26% |
| 1988 | 10 | 22% |
| 1987 | 21 | 54% |
| 1986 | 13 | 37% |
| 1985 | 5 | 33% |
| 1983 | 1 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1997 Honda Civic
140 complaintsVehicle speed control
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 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 Nov 1, 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