1997 Honda CR-V Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 6%of 108 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 149,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Honda CR-V, 6% of the 108 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 149,000 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“While driving on the freeway, the vehicle suddenly lost power as if the ignition had been turned off. Lights were on, radio was on but engine stalled and steering was locked. The vehicle decreased in speed from roughly 65mph to 45mph at which point I attempted to restart the engine by turning the key. The vehicle restarted immediately and I was immediately to accelerate to the original speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10340011, filed 2010-06, 198,000 miles“While driving on the highway a passing motorist alerted consumer to the flames and smoke shooting out in a big ball from underneath of consumer's vehicle. Consumer immediately pulled of the highway, and had the vehicle towed to a mechanic, who determined that the engine had a large whole in it. Mechanic installed a rebuilt engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10081644, filed 2004-07, 100,000 miles“The timing belt broke 2500 miles before first scheduled maintenance causing the car to break down on the freeway, thankfully we were stuck in traffic otherwise the results could have been much worse! The dealer is now telling me I need a new engine for 7000.00 dollars. If I had been told to change the belt sooner I would have done so. I follow the maintenance shcedule in my owners manual because it clearly states that failure to do so can cause injury or even death caused by an accident due to equipment failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #766248, filed 2002-08“Consumer cited the poor or lack of service by the dealership as well as the poor quality of his vehicle. The consumer had several problems with the vehicle. When the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for a routine oil change, the cap was not tightened properly which caused a significant oil leak. The vehicle failed to start on another occasion, it was determined that the fuel pump failed, which has since failed again. The vehicle had a flat tire, when the consumer went to change the tire, she noticed the vehicle did not have a jack. …”
NHTSA complaint #10059440, filed 2004-02Related service bulletins
- 10014017Jul 1, 2004Poor a/c cooling during hard acceleration.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 0% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 4 | 0% |
| 2018 | 15 | 1% |
| 2017 | 10 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 12 | 2% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 7 | 1% |
| 2010 | 8 | 2% |
| 2009 | 7 | 2% |
| 2008 | 19 | 2% |
| 2007 | 15 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 3% |
| 2005 | 20 | 4% |
| 2004 | 142 | 28% |
| 2003 | 86 | 18% |
| 2002 | 58 | 11% |
| 2001 | 24 | 17% |
| 2000 | 15 | 12% |
| 1999 | 16 | 13% |
| 1998 | 9 | 7% |
| 1997 | 6 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1997 Honda CR-V
31 complaintsAir bags
27 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsTires
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Honda CR-V
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