Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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 contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and attempting to slow down, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality however, the failure became a persistent failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. However, the contact stated that the battery, carburetor, and alternator were replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V120000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Honda dealership replaced ignition switch. The original ignition switch was replaced in the 2002 recall. The replacement switch was replaced in 2016 after exhibiting the same symptoms that LED to the original recall: silent stall. The faulty switch LED to a stall at a stop light and when the light turned green I was rear ended as I was attempting to restart the car. I had to reach out to Honda asking them to verify the problem and replace at no charge.
I was backing up. I put the car in drive then it died and started to smoke I got out of the car and looked under hood, saw flames from bottom of car, told my daughter the car is on fire. We got our things and out and I called the fire department to put out the fire.
While driving car speed starts to fall soon there is no pedal at all and smoke and fire come from underneath dashboard transmission hesitates to shift now currently un safe to drive.
I drove to a restaurant about one mile from my house and parked nose-in to a curb in a parking lot. I placed the car in first gear, as always, and engaged the emergency brake. As I and my three companions left the car, I clicked the remote keyless lock, as I usually do. After dinner, we came out to return home. My husband was to drive back, so I again used my remote keyless entry clicker and the car unlocked. My husband held open the passenger-side front door for me, and I sat in the front seat, the clicker in my hand, but no button activated. Before my husband could shut the door, the car started (note: no key in the ignition), and climbed the curb in front. It stalled, then started again and continued up and over the bushes in front. I was the only one in the car. There was no key in the ignition. I was on the passenger side of the front seat. The car does not have a remote ignition. …
My car engine some times used to suddenly shut off and stop abruptly, while slowing or braking. At times, it will start right away after cranking the ignition switch, but, some times, required several tries. Abrupt stopping caused extremely dangerous situation, as the drivers behind had to make very hard stops and narrowly missed hitting rear end of my Honda. Since the problem was occurring intermittently, it was very difficult to diagnose and took almost one year. First my mechanic thought it was caused by defective idling speed control relay, then due to bad ignition related relay, which was replaced, but the fault persisted and stalling became more frequent. Actually, the defect was due to worn or defective ignition switch, which use to shut the engine off while slowing or braking. After replacing the ignition switch approximately one year ago, car has never stalled.
This car randomly shuts down as I am driving have taken it to numerous places and nothing is found. Shut down 6 times in a row last time with my child in the car on a dark highway cold and raining. Very dangerous!!! The inside lights flash on and off all of the time mostly turning curves, wasting battery. Noise in the front wheels/tires/axles like something is waiting to break off as you are driving. Overheated last year for no apparent reason costing ton of money. I have replaced the compressor twice and still the air conditioner doesn't cool. I leave the "air" button on to keep the fans running so it doesn't overheat as I'm driving. Not to mention in the summer it is blowing out heat and all the windows do not roll down. This car is a mess and I will never purchase another Honda. Thanks-
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start when prompted. A dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 02V120000 (electrical system) as the source of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.
The vehicle was stop and the horn started with a really loud noise that hurt my ears then I tried to stopped when I opened the door it was full of smoke it really smelled bad my head felt kind of wear with the smoke it made me kind of dizzy and sleepy from then my car doesn't work.
Engine stalled suddenly, without warning, while driving on highway. Since first occurrence it has been happening more frequently, sometimes on the highway and sometimes while stopped at traffic lights. Is very difficult to restart.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
On certain sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles, electrical contacts in the ignition switch can degrade due to the high electrical current passing through the switch when the vehicle is started.
Remedy: 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…
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
Vehicle description: sedan, coupe and wagon passenger vehicles except the dx model and models with v6 engines. The factory installed air conditioner wire harness was improperly routed allowing some wires to rub against each other, eventually causing a short circuit.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1997 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 96 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Honda Accord, 21% of the model year's 460 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (32 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Honda Accord electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-120 (switch, May 16, 2002); NHTSA recall 98V-231 (front underhood, Sep 22, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Honda Accord electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 136,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 6 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.