Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Honda Accord owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The SRS light came on suddenly while driving. Took to dealer and they are charging a lot to repair it. I have not done the repair . How come air bag related SRS light can come while just driving and why do I need to pay for it ? It should be covered by manufacturer
The SRS light on our 1997 Honda ex-v6 model will not go off. We complained to the dealer, willey Honda, (where the automobile was purchased new and all service work has been done) and they simply turned the light off saying there must be a "short" in the light. The first complaint was before the warranty was up on the vehicle. Several times since when it has come back on - they would turn it off. Now they are telling us it must be the computer system and they want us to pay $750.+ to have it repaired properly as the air bags might not be working right! We feel this is a safety issue and they should have taken care of the problem the first time instead of "guessing". This should not be our problem no matter how many miles are on the car! We are, now, afraid to drive it in case they inflate when they "shouldn't" or when they "should". …
The complaint is regarding the SRS module. The unit malfunctioned, giving a red dashboard alarm light. The local Honda dealer attempted to reset the trouble light, but couldn't. The dealer indicated the part number on my service invoice as Honda part # 06772-sv4-a71 for a 1997 Honda Accord. I queried several salvage yards for a used part as the OEM part was in excess of $500. I was sent the SRS module from a salvage yard only to discover that the SRS module was indeed from a 1997 Honda, however, my SRS module (the original defective SRS module) was from a 1996 Honda.obviously, I purchased a new 1997 Honda with a 1996 electronic part. This part was or could have been on the shelf for about 2 years before it was installed in my vehicle. My SRS part number taken from my vehicle has part # model 77960-sv4-a93. What is a 1996 part doing in my "new" 1997 vehicle? …
The SRS warning light came on at about 107000 miles. It was checked and reset at Honda service. Within 100-200 miles it came on again. When taken to Honda service for the next oil service the light-on was checked again and could not be reset. I was told the sensor needed to be replaced at a cost of $715.00. Needless to say, I am driving with the light on. I bought the veh. New and it has never been in an accident. Replacement of parts for normal wear and tear is understandable, but not for parts that are never activated. This should be a Honda responsibility. I am not sure if the air bags will deploy if I am in an accident and the light is a constant nusance. I have aslo had the service engine on light reset a number of time during ownership with no fault present. The day I was at Honda service there were 2 other owners requesting service for a SRS on light. …
My SRS has come on for the third time in my car. The dealer told me while the SRS light is on, the air bags won't deploy in the event of an accident. The first two times this has happen, the dealer reset the light. They told me it would cost $800 to fix. I don't have $800 sitting around, therefore I had them reset the light. This is a major safety concern Honda needs to address. I bought a car with air bags, and right now my air bags won't deploy. If the seatbelts in my car are covered under a lifetime warranty then why aren't the air bags (it's all part of the SRS). I have done absolutely nothing to the car to cause this. I don't feel I should have to sacrifice my life as well as any of my passenger's lives because I don't have $800 to fix Honda's problem. I've checked other resources on the internet and have found numerous Honda owners with the same problem. …
I have Honda Accord 1997 v6 model and have continuous problem with SRS light. I have spent hundreds of dollars to fix this problem and in the end I am told about computer replacement need which costs $750. I am driving with SRS light on all the time. My car has never been in accident and airbags were never deployed. Today I saw same complaints on your web site.was there any solution found for this complaint please help me what can I do to fix this SRS problem in my car. Your help will be greatly appreciated.my car VIN is [redacted]. Updated 07/26/2012
As with the others SRS light came on in 2004 when I purchased the car from a private owner. Before I purchased the car he took it to a Honda dealer for a complete inspection and nothing was noted that the SRS light was on. I took it into a Honda dealer and they didn't run any checks they just told me that it was going to cost $1200.00 to fix. They took the car to do some other minor repairs and when I picked it up the light was off. It came back on within months of being off. It has been on to this day. It sounds fishy to me that they can diagnose by the lamp on when I read that it could be a number of less expensive fixes.
S.r.s light malfuncting on 97 Honda Accord and Honda motor company refuses to acknowdledge it has a problem with this system. Articles on the internet report that Honda airbags at times do not deploy when involved in accidents where they should have. Honda motor company states in the owners manual that this system does not require maintenance and that be checked in 10 years. I feel the the Honda motor company should held accountable for this problem and made liable to repair this safety problem when contacted.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while parked, the air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic reset the air bag light and stated that if the failure persisted, the SRS module would have to be replaced. Approximately one week later the air bag warning light re-illuminated. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
The SRS (airbags) light has been on for over 2 years. It indicates the airbags are malfunction. Initially, I attempted to re-set the light twice, but it came back shortly after resetting. After searching through internet and NHTSA website here, I realize that this is a widespread problem with 1997 Honda Accord model. Since this is a serious safety issue and is not drivers fault, Honda should hold the responsibility and issue a recall to repair it.
Airbag complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1997 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 113 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Honda Accord, 25% of the model year's 460 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Honda Accord airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1997 Honda Accord, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Honda Accord airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 1 fire and 13 injuries and 8 deaths to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.