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Model Year Problem Record

Honda Civic 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Honda Civic: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

373Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
1Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
80Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags144 complaints

144 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 20V026000, 97V193000.

Vehicle Speed Control38 complaints

38 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility33 complaints

33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System33 complaints

33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine29 complaints

29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires28 complaints

28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

20V026000Reported January 17, 2020 - 1,439,841 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on January 17, 2020. The campaign covers an estimated 1,439,841 vehicles across all affected models.

97V193000Reported November 1, 1997 - 9,558 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on November 1, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 9,558 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

SQ98012Opened June 30, 1998 - Closed November 2, 1998

CONDENSER FAN MOTOR INOPERATIVE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

199728
199820
199940
200063
200142
200244
200328
200426
200515
200613
20075
20088
20094
20106
20113
20122
20132
20144
20154
20165
20173
20181
20191
20205
20221
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.