1997 Honda Civic Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 5%of 373 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 130,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the body and structure of the 1997 Honda Civic, 5% of the 373 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 130,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“My 75-year old mother has a 1997 Honda Civic ex. The trunk lid is constantly falling from the open position and this evening caught her right across the bridge of her nose, resulting in a deep laceration. Hondas are so cheaply made, that I see no way of adjusting the trunk lid. Perhaps I will file a lawsuit!!”
NHTSA complaint #10108227, filed 2005-01“Fender liner replaced 8 months ago due to accident. While traveling on highway, part of fender liner came apart and got stuck on front left tire, causing car to almost go off road. Contacted Honda bodyshop and was told that this was a known Honda problem. Not their fault, and I have to pay for it myself. Contacted Honda dealership where car was bought, and they couldn't tell me anything.”
NHTSA complaint #718882, filed 2000-02“After getting 4 inches of water in the trunk of my car and 2 inches at front, I took the car to the dealer. The dealer reported that the seals were old and they needed to change them. For the rear ones they charged me $128 to get them replace. Then they wanted to charge me around $800 to replace the front ones. I complaint and asked them to contact the regional service manager of Honda to have Honda cover the repair since it was such a weird situation. Seals don't get old in a 4 year old car.”
NHTSA complaint #742338, filed 2001-03Related service bulletins
- 10014248Feb 16, 2004Water leak at doors and/or floor.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 5% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 4 | 2% |
| 2022 | 13 | 1% |
| 2020 | 6 | 3% |
| 2019 | 13 | 3% |
| 2018 | 22 | 3% |
| 2017 | 37 | 6% |
| 2016 | 48 | 4% |
| 2015 | 17 | 4% |
| 2014 | 7 | 2% |
| 2013 | 23 | 7% |
| 2012 | 35 | 8% |
| 2011 | 10 | 6% |
| 2010 | 43 | 11% |
| 2009 | 45 | 11% |
| 2008 | 85 | 9% |
| 2007 | 70 | 6% |
| 2006 | 78 | 6% |
| 2005 | 25 | 8% |
| 2004 | 17 | 5% |
| 2003 | 26 | 5% |
| 2002 | 20 | 3% |
| 2001 | 29 | 3% |
| 2000 | 9 | 3% |
| 1999 | 16 | 5% |
| 1998 | 26 | 6% |
| 1997 | 18 | 5% |
| 1996 | 19 | 6% |
| 1995 | 12 | 6% |
| 1994 | 5 | 4% |
| 1993 | 7 | 5% |
| 1992 | 4 | 4% |
| 1991 | 13 | 12% |
| 1990 | 5 | 5% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 2 | 4% |
| 1987 | 1 | 3% |
| 1986 | 5 | 14% |
| 1984 | 2 | 40% |
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 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 28, 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