Model year record

1997 Honda Civic

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 452 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V026000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Vehicles affected
1,439,841
Reported to NHTSA
2020-01-17
Owners notified
2020-10-01

Defect description

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 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V193000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
9,558
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-01
Owners notified
1997-10-25

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED. THE CLOTH FLAPS COVERING THE FOLDED AIR BAG MAY HAVE BEEN TUCKED IN TOO FAR.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. IN A CRASH, AN IMPROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG MODULE TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags70115,000 mi
Air bags: frontal5375,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2338,500 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module2086,620 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1950,700 mi
Tires1760,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1765,000 mi
Unknown or other1550,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal12105,000 mi
Electrical system968,069 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc9
Tires: tread/belt936,060 mi
Structure: body8130,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip7
Visibility: windshield7
Electrical system: ignition: switch685,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers6
Engine and engine cooling: engine6110,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe690,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights540,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor5
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery460,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner4
Interior lighting440,000 mi
Structure: body: door4
Visibility: glass, side/rear4
Engine345,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system3
Power train350,000 mi
Seat belts31,003 mi
Seat belts: front368,069 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic3
Tires: sidewall3146,000 mi
Air bags: side/window268,069 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control228,220 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2
Equipment248,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch288,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly2
Seat belts: front: anchorage225,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Structure: body: hood2
Structure: body: trunk lid2
Suspension: front2
Vehicle speed control: cables2116,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior2
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior2
Wheels21,003 mi
Air bags: on-off switch assembly1
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: starter assembly1112,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling190,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Exterior lighting17,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1
Fuel/propulsion system15,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Power train: driveline115,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seat belts: rear/other1118,250 mi
Seats1
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder168,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1
Steering11,003 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft sector1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment1
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure1
Structure: body: bumpers1
Suspension1
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1
Suspension: rear1
Tires: bead1136,647 mi
Tires: valve1146,000 mi
Wheels: rim1124,000 mi

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.