Model year record

1997 Honda Civic

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

Honda Civic, 1996–2000 generation
Pictured: the 1996–2000 generation. Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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.

Other Honda Civic model years

All Honda Civic recalls by year

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.