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 Civic owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I had car computer problems, air conditioning problem and paint on car body is cracking. These problems started to happen gradually, computer problems happened while I was driving on the road in the city; the paint started to crack for many years and the car looks miserable. The air conditioning broke down during a summer time, when I had no money to repair it and had to suffer due to the high heat weather. There is also a crack somewhere in the engine, not sure where, which can make things worse.
"Takata recall" my airbags went off when I was turning and went over a a bump, and cracked my windshield really bad on the passenger side. The SRS red light had been on for quite some time before this. When this occurred it blew a fuse and I had to have it towed. I did not file a police report because I only have liability insurance for the car so insurance did not need it. I have also had problems with the wiring and the cruise control would not work and would honk the horn when I tried to use it
The vtec-e on my 1997 Honda Civic hx is not engaging at the proper times which is not only an annoyance when driving, but also a safety hazard when it engages at low speeds (which it should not do) in traffic launching you forward into the back ends of other vehicles. Has caused (2) rearenders.
While driving, the vehicle struck a pot hole, and the passenger's side air bag deployed. However, the driver's seat belt did not lock, and passenger struck his face on the steering wheel. The passenger air bag did not open and the check engine and the air bag light remained on.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Honda Civic. The contact stated that when the key was removed from the ignition the engine remained on. The contact had the ignition switch repaired four years ago for the identical failure. When the vehicle was in the park position it would roll backwards if the emergency break was not on. The manufacturer stated that this was an issue with the 1999 through 2004 Honda Civic not her year, make and model vehicle. The failure mileage was 85000. The current mileage was 134000.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Honda Civic. While attempting to exit the vehicle, both of the rear electric doors would not open. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that an inspection would cost $150 and the repair would cost $500. The vehicle has not been repaired. The dealer information was unavailable. The current mileage was 126,000 and failure mileage was 125,000. Updated 01/11/08. Updated
1- car has had problems with SRS light for several years now 2- number of things done to fix and still not fixed - this is a completely stock vehicle from the factory- no moods! The dealer says with the SRS light on the car absolutely has no airbags that will work. 3- changed the battery, took it into a dealer and he reset it, still not fixed. Dealer says they can't do anything about it.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Honda Civic. The failure mileage was 112000 and the current mileage was 113000. The vehicle was having trouble shifting from first to second gear and the engine light turned on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer replaced the 02 sensor and stated that the transmission needed to be flushed and the linear solenoid needed to be replaced.
Scott Honda mailed a post card to my home in feb 2ooo for car recall. Upon calling hoinda the lease agent put me on hold and spoke to the service dept. She then proceeded to say that I would not have engine problems until my car reached betwen 60,000-70,000 miles. She stated that the engine would rumble and the engine light woudl come on due to faulty wiring,etc. I expalined that my car was service and the engine lihgt came on during my inspection and that I spent 450.00 on getting my car rewired etc.. She explained that there was something else wiht the car and it would occur at a higher milage and to bring my car in. I asked her waht to due in case I don't experience problems or if I lost my recall postcard . She stated that it was no problem and to call the dealership mgr. And that he would honor the situation and give me a new postcard.. …
Hansel Honda stated two months ago when we had the engine check light problem, that it was a faulty engine module. The car has had two start problems for which hansel Honda stated it May be due to the module but was still back ordered. With the second start problem, one of the service staff stated it May be the module problem but stated they were having problems getting the part. The other service person that very same day, stated it probably wasn't the module and that the part was still on backorder due to high incidence and requests other than hansel Honda for replacement module for the defective part. He stated they couldn't guarantee whether the problems with the engine starting was due to the module or not, but that the car was safe to drive for now. Hansel Honda stated the manufacturer was a problem not them and still couldn't determine when the part would be available. …
Electrical complaints in other Civic years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1997 Honda Civic?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Honda Civic, 8% of the model year's 373 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Honda Civic electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1997 Honda Civic, though it has 2 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 Civic electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.