Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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.
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. While reversing, there was a loud metallic noise coming from the hood of the vehicle. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and the motor mount fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Transmission on my 1997 Honda Accord lx v4 failed prematurely at 58000 miles, and Honda refused to help in any way, even though they had history of such problems, and even had an extended warranty for such problems on newer Honda and Acura branded vehicles.the reason for refusal was that they didn't provide goodwill assistance to vehicles more than 5 years old.but the bottom line was that I have maintained this vehicle well so this was a manufecturing defect, and there was certain quality and durability that was expected from any product, and the manufecturer should be held liable for any product that failed, even if it happend outside of warranty. The fact that they provided 7 years/100000 miles extended warranty on newer vehicles, set up a precedent, that was that they expected a defect free transmission to last at least that long. Also alarming is the way in which failure occured. …
On 7/27/03, Sunday the check engine light showed up, I decided to take the car to my mechanic right away the next day, but on Monday morning, I couldn't even get out to the main road from my development and the car just lost the gear. This happened without any warning sign, and the incident could have turned fatal at highway traffic and speeds. Car just has 58K miles and Honda refuses to help in any way, even though they have history of such problems and they even have an extended warrenty for such problems on newer Honda and Acura branded vehicles. The reason for refusal is that they don't provide goodwill assistance to vehicles more than 5 years old. But the bottomline is that I have maintained this vehicle well and generally the usage habits affect manual transmissions not the automatic ones. …
Four speed automatic transmission completely failed for my 1997 Honda Accord lx, 4-door, with only 69,550 miles. The "check engine" light illuminated, while the "d4" automatic transmission indicator flashed off and on at same time. Honda wouldn't drive in fourth gear and acted as it was slipping. Vehicle was brought to ed voyles Honda, marietta, georgia on September 13, 2011 for diagnosis. Honda technician(s) advised that the "ECM code" disclosed that the transmission had completely failed and required replacement. I was not notified and/or offered any information regarding Honda extending the transmission warranty for this 1997 Honda Accord lx. At time of incident, was interstate 285 on ramp when vehicle transmission started slipping, allowing maximum speed of approximately 15 to 20 MPH. …
I have a 1997 Honda Accord, model lx-v6, VIN [redacted] with automatic transmission. I was driving home from philadelphia and nearing home when after starting from a stop light in d4 (auto) the car vibrated vigorously and stalled. (the vibration and stalling was like what happens when operating a manual transmission car and releasing the clutch suddenly.) I pulled over and started the engine from park to d4 and again I had the same problem. I repeated with d2 and the car did not stall although the engine was making some noise. I drove the car to a nearby Honda dealer, planet Honda in union, nj and explained the problem. The car was left at the dealer for 2 days but they were unable to give a reason for this. The noise in the engine still appears and the dealer is suggesting replacing the whole transmission. …
1997 Honda Accord lx, 4-door, 4-speed automatic transmission. Automatic transmission failure at 69,500 miles, September 09, 2011. Transmission slipping in fourth/third gear, with little acceleration. The "check engine" light came "on," while at the same time the "d4" automatic transmission shift indicator was "blinking" on and off. Vehicle was brought to ed voyles Honda, marietta, georgia on September 13, 2011, where Honda technician(s) checked diagnostic code(s) for "ECM." Honda technician(s) stated that the transmission, with only 69,500 miles had completely failed and required a new and/or rebuilt transmission, despite all preventative maintenance having been performed on the vehicle. Replacement cost expected to be $2,400.00 for a rebuilt transmission, or $5,500.00 for a new OEM Honda replacement transmission. …
Consumer was driving at 30 MPH when the right front passenger wheel came off. Vehicle was towed, and it was determined that the lower ball joints separated, and the axle cracked. Manufacturer stated that this vehicle was not included in the ball joint NHTSA recall 99V069000....as aresult, of broken lower ball joint right front wheel detached and was lodged undeneath the body of the vehicle. The front end was on the ground, and fluid was leaking all over the road. Consumer called aaa and vehicle was towed t a local mechanic, who identified the problem as a broken right side lower ball joint. However, it was obvious to the mechanic that this was not a typical problen, and was not the result of naural wear. There was a technical servic ebulletin which applied to this vehicle. Mechanic replaced lower ball joint and cracked axle. …
Complete Honda Accord automatic transmission failure at 69,550 miles below incident almost resulted in rear end collision on interstate highway when attempting to accelerate onto entrance ramp and vehicle behind required evasive action to prevent rear end collision with my vehicle due to automatic transmission failure, failing to accelerate more than 20 MPH. Four speed automatic transmission completely failed for my 1997 Honda Accord lx, 4-door, with only 69,550 miles. The "check engine" light illuminated, while the "d4" automatic transmission indicator flashed off and on at same time. Honda wouldn't drive in fourth gear and acted as it was slipping. Vehicle was brought to ed voyles Honda, marietta, georgia on September 13, 2011 for diagnosis. Honda technician(s) advised that the "ECM code" disclosed that the transmission had completely failed and required replacement.
Transmission complaints in other Accord years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Honda Accord?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Honda Accord, 7% of the model year's 460 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Honda Accord transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.