1997 Honda Accord: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 546 complaints
546
Total Complaints
108,656mi
Median Mileage
Air Bags
Top Issue
51
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
70,245
25th Percentile
108,656
Median Mileage
167,500
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Air Bags
66
Switch
32
Vehicle Speed Control
32
Electrical System
32
Frontal
27
Sensor/Control Module
19
Gasoline
17
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
17
Ignition
16
Engine
14
Severity Assessment
51
Crashes
12
Fires
38
Injuries
9
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, ESPERIENCING WIND NOISE, WIND NOISE IS SO LOUD AND ANNOYING. *AK"
"DRIVING W/DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT; NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM VENT AREA AND FLAMES NEAR LEG/HANDS AREA; PULLED OFF FWY INTO GAS STATION; FIRE DEPT ARRIVED & PUT OUT FLAMES; FLAMES REAPPEARED & PUT OUT AGAIN; FIRE DEPT SAID IT WAS ELECTRICAL. AT DEALERSHIP, IT WAS 3RD ONE THAT BURNED. *AK"
"VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THIS CONTINUOUS PROBLEM, CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. *AK"
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Air Bags
66 complaints
25th: 54,698 mi
Median: 86,255 mi
75th: 118,500 mi
Switch
32 complaints
25th: 108,656 mi
Median: 115,000 mi
75th: 179,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
32 complaints
25th: 109,250 mi
Median: 157,949 mi
75th: 173,250 mi
Electrical System
32 complaints
25th: 131,188 mi
Median: 180,000 mi
75th: 200,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 92
GA: 41
TX: 37
NY: 28
FL: 28
IL: 26
NJ: 25
MA: 21
PA: 20
VA: 19
Who Files Complaints?
31.5%
Original Owners
68.5%
Second+ Owners
Honda Accord — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 229 | 12 |
| 1991 | 242 | 20 |
| 1992 | 249 | 47 |
| 1993 | 222 | 47 |
| 1994 | 476 | 105 |
| 1995 | 673 | 94 |
| 1996 | 579 | 69 |
| 1998 | 1428 | 133 |
| 1999 | 1345 | 92 |
| 2000 | 1505 | 138 |
| 2001 | 1157 | 199 |
| 2002 | 1267 | 165 |
| 2003 | 2378 | 187 |
| 2004 | 1303 | 127 |
| 2005 | 880 | 141 |
| 2006 | 541 | 72 |
| 2007 | 700 | 128 |
| 2008 | 1850 | 85 |
| 2009 | 855 | 64 |
| 2010 | 700 | 47 |
| 2011 | 357 | 45 |
| 2012 | 504 | 77 |
| 2013 | 1868 | 110 |
| 2014 | 1415 | 75 |
| 2015 | 805 | 51 |
| 2016 | 783 | 50 |
| 2017 | 734 | 59 |
| 2018 | 2638 | 66 |
| 2019 | 936 | 48 |
| 2020 | 500 | 25 |
| 2021 | 274 | 25 |
| 2022 | 248 | 4 |
| 2023 | 117 | 11 |
| 2024 | 155 | 7 |
| 2025 | 79 | 9 |
Active Recalls (15)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Headlights
Campaign 08E050000 | 11/08/2008
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E060000 | 29/06/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E040000 | 15/05/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.
Headlights
Campaign 06E023000 | 13/03/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
Headlights
Campaign 09E025000 | 11/05/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E064000 | 17/07/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Switch
Campaign 02V120000 | 16/05/2002
WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E049000 | 24/05/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E026000 | 23/03/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Headlights
Campaign 06E025000 | 21/03/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
POLI-AUTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS AT ITS ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT POLI-AUTO AT 305-477-1356.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E065000 | 17/07/2006
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E032000 | 18/04/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
TOM MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF NONCOMPLIANT LIGHTS. THE RECALL BEGAN APRIL 17, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOM MOTORSPORT AT 626-968-4007.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E044000 | 22/05/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE HEADLAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT J & A AUTO ACCESSORIES AT 310-327-4981.
Lower Ball Joint
Campaign 99V069000 | 10/05/1999
THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
Front Underhood
Campaign 98V231000 | 22/09/1998
THE SHORT CIRCUIT CANPOSSIBLY CAUSE THE UNDERHOOD WIREING TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE, CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN ALSO RESULT IN A BLOWN FUSE OR DEAD BATTERY.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THESE WIRES. ANY HARNESS IMPROPERLY ROUTED WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND THE ROUTING WILL BE CORRECTED. IF ANY INSULATION IS WORN THROUGH AND THE COPPER WIRES ARE EXPOSED, THE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL PLASTIC TU
Airbag Safety
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Check for open airbag recalls at NHTSA.gov using your VIN
- Never ignore the airbag warning light — get it diagnosed immediately
- Don't install aftermarket steering wheel covers that block the airbag
- Keep the area around airbag deployment zones clear of accessories
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28