1997 Honda Civic: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Honda Civic: 2 recalls, 373 owner complaints and up to 34 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 14 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #97V193000 · 1997 · 9,558 vehicles
What's wrong: The front passenger air bag modules have been improperly assembled. The cloth flaps covering the folded air bag May have been tucked in too far.
Why it matters: This condition could prevent proper deployment of the air bag. In a crash, an improper air bag deployment could increase the risk of injury to a front seat passenger.
The fix: Dealers will repair the front passenger's air bag module to prevent this problem from occurring.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V026000 · 2020 · 1,439,841 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2cl, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3cl, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0cl, 2001 Acura 3.2cl and Acura mdx, 1998-2000 Honda accord coupe, accord sedan, civic sedan, odyssey and Acura 3.5rl, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2tl, 1996-2000 civic coupe, 1997-2000 cr-v, 1997-1998 ev plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with non-azide driver air bag inflators…
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion May not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020.
14 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Other / unknown Equipment recall #99E015000 · 1999 · 943,005 vehicles
What's wrong: Equipment description: accessory driver-side floor mats used in 1996-1998 Honda civic vehicles. Due to the shape of the floor on these vehicles, a mispositioned floor mat could interfere with the accelerator pedal.
Why it matters: The floor mat could prevent the accelerator pedal from returning to the idle position.
The fix: If a customer has a genuine Honda driver-side floor mat, dealers will install a positive floor mat retention system consisting of a grommet in the floor mat and a pin bracket in the car.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E023000 · 2006 · 292,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E025000 · 2006 · 1,450 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain poli-auto combination headlamp assemblies, p/nos. 11-728, 11-728d, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708p, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (p&c), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, and 11-732, sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps,…
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: 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.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E032000 · 2006 · 845 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain Eagle eyes and sonar headlights and corner lights sold as aftermarket for use on 1988-2005 Honda civic, 1990-2005 Honda accord, and 1990-2001 Acura integra passenger vehicles listed above. Headlights and corner lights that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Tom motorsport will notify owners and offer reimbursement for the purchase of noncompliant lights. The recall began April 17, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E038000 · 2006 · 724 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain alfaotto combination headlamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Alfaotto will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began on May 10, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E040000 · 2006 · 1,648 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain e speed racing combination lamps sold as replacement equipment for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: E speed racing will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began May 10, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E044000 · 2006 · 1,215 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain j & a auto accessories combination headlamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: J & a auto accessories will notify owners and offer to repurchase the headlamps. The recall began on July 10, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E049000 · 2006 · 27,176 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E060000 · 2006 · 87,745 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and May possibly result in a vehicle crash
The fix: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E064000 · 2006 · 4,029 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and May possibly result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #08E050000 · 2008 · 1,921 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Without the amber side reflex reflectors, the lighting visibility May be affected, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 51 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (140): the most common themes are warning light on (34), fails to deploy (25).
- Speed control / throttle (38): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (12).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (33): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2), electrical failure (2).
- Electrical (30): the most common themes are electrical failure (10), warning light on (4), stalls / loses power (3).
The 1997 Honda Civic has 373 owner complaints, ranking #17 of 37 Civic model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 432). Complaints peaked in 2000 (62 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 88,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (305 complaints, 2 recalls), 1998 (435 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 | 39 | 34 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 35 | 31 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 35 | 30 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 32 | 28 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 33 | 28 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 32 | 27 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Honda Civic.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Honda Civic have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1997 Honda Civic, plus 14 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1997 Honda Civic problems?
Owners have filed 373 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (140), speed control / throttle (38), visibility (wipers, glass) (33).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Honda Civic get?
EPA ratings run up to 34 mpg combined (1.6 L, Manual 5-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Honda Civic repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.