1997 Honda Civic Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 9%of 373 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 103,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the visibility of the 1997 Honda Civic, 9% of the 373 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 103,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Power windows fail. The incident has occurred at least 7 times in the past five years. Service representatives say that one must lubricate the window runners. The owner's manual either fails to mention this maintenance or the existence of such maintenance. The part is always replaced and always fails.”
NHTSA complaint #10008350, filed 2003-03, 107,587 miles“I own a 1997 Honda Civic dx coupe and few weeks ago the driver window collapsed while I was driving on a freeway. The only warning was few days before that the handle was slightly harder then usual. I got really scared and almost crashed hearing this loud noise and not knowing what was happening.”
NHTSA complaint #10075157, filed 2004-06“The power window regulator failed early upon, within warranty. It was repaired by warranty. My power sunroof / moonroof has quit working, I have checked the fuses. I have always had a problem with the front brake rotors warping, part because of my fault I would assume and applying the brakes hard. Doesn\\'t help driving on highway 401 in toronto though. All in all, it has been a great car. I have 362,000 km on it now and she still drives like new.”
NHTSA complaint #10071325, filed 2004-01“First the drivers side window would not roll up all the way and it seemed to off of it's track. The vehicle was not in an accident when this problem occured. I notified the dealership I bought it from and was charged almost three hundred dollars to get it fixed. Two months later the same thig happened to the passenger side door and I have had a car mechanic roll the window up for me but it is not fixed.I also know of another person who purchased a 1997 Honda Civic froma different dealership and his driver side window has done the same thing. …”
NHTSA complaint #748110, filed 2001-07“Experiencing problem with rearview mirror; whenever mirror is adjusted from day to night and returned back to day, the whole mirror has to be readjusted. Dealer notified, and replaced mirror on two occasions, and problem still occurs. This can lead to a vehicle accident due to adjusting mirror. Asking NHTSA to look into this matter.”
NHTSA complaint #851296, filed 1999-10Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 | 5 | 6% |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% |
| 2022 | 12 | 1% |
| 2021 | 3 | 2% |
| 2020 | 14 | 6% |
| 2019 | 10 | 2% |
| 2018 | 18 | 2% |
| 2017 | 36 | 6% |
| 2016 | 67 | 6% |
| 2015 | 5 | 1% |
| 2014 | 6 | 2% |
| 2013 | 14 | 4% |
| 2012 | 10 | 2% |
| 2011 | 21 | 12% |
| 2010 | 52 | 13% |
| 2009 | 29 | 7% |
| 2008 | 133 | 15% |
| 2007 | 212 | 18% |
| 2006 | 239 | 17% |
| 2005 | 8 | 3% |
| 2004 | 9 | 3% |
| 2003 | 12 | 2% |
| 2002 | 21 | 3% |
| 2001 | 28 | 3% |
| 2000 | 5 | 2% |
| 1999 | 14 | 4% |
| 1998 | 24 | 6% |
| 1997 | 33 | 9% |
| 1996 | 34 | 11% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 6 | 4% |
| 1992 | 5 | 5% |
| 1991 | 4 | 4% |
| 1990 | 6 | 7% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1987 | 1 | 3% |
| 1985 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1997 Honda Civic
140 complaintsVehicle speed control
38 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 30, 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