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 CR-V owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 1997 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,470.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Honda CR-v. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the frontal driver and passenger air bags deployed without impact. The air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Takata recall. I received the first recall in mar 2016. Dealer keeps saying they have no parts. Now I get the second recall for the pass side airbag. Same thing...no parts. It has been over 60 days since receiving NHTSA recall 16v-061. This is too long on this serious defect which can be life threatening. Help.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Honda CR-v. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available for the recall repair. The contact asked if the air bags could be turned off or deactivated to avoid the potential safety hazard and was informed that turning off the air bags was illegal. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair, will be in 2021. A dealer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Honda CR-v. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V026000 (air bags). The contact called big star Honda (11200 gulf fwy, houston, tx 77034) and scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle repaired. Upon arrival, the contact was informed that the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact was informed that a second notice would be mailed to vehicle owners when the part was available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Honda CR-v. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 20V026000 (air bags) and 02V120000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The local dealer autonation Honda hollywood (2400 n state rd 7, hollywood, fl 33021) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 1997 Honda CR-v. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Darrell waltrip Buick GMC (1440 murfreesboro road, franklin, tn 37067) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
I received a letter in March saying there is an airbag recall and I would be notified when the parts were ready. I have since received estimated three robo-calls saying my vehicle was recalled due to a dangerous airbag issue and to contact a dealer or Honda headquarters. I contacted the dealer who said there is no part yet and not to worry . I am concerned and annoyed about these alarming notifications about an important, maybe critical, yet there is no part. This is much longer than a reasonable amount of time.
The vehicles air bag light illuminated and stayed on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the problem required a costly repair. The consumer contacted the manufacturer who advised the consumer to take the car back to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was returned for the test where it was discovered that the repair was not as costly as initially stated and that only a minor adjustment was needed. Shortly after that adjustment the air bag light illuminated again.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 1997 Honda CR-v. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. An unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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…
Remedy: 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.
Airbag complaints in other CR-V years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1997 Honda CR-V?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Honda CR-V, 25% of the model year's 108 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Honda CR-V airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-026 (inflator module, Jan 17, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Honda CR-V airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 160,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries 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.