1997 Honda Civic Problems and Repair Histories
1997 Honda Civic problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
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Honda Civic
1997 Honda Civics for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 1997 Honda Civic problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 1997 Honda Civic problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 1997 Honda Civic problems and repair histories that follow it.
Honda Civic Reliability through December 31, 2012
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 1997 | Honda Civic | 12 Civics, 5.3 months of data per Civic, average 169000 miles Small sample size. Join or 12 Civics, 5.3 months of data per Civic, average 169000 miles Small sample size. sign in to view |
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Non-members can see only ten 1997 Honda Civic problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
1997 Honda Civic
Engine not specified
| Honda in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2012 | 189100 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2012 | 400 | Catalytic converter and oxygen sensor. | |
| Jun | 2012 | 190340 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda in North Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2009 | 160000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2009 | 162000 | 344 | Previous mechanic improperly installed crank sensor lead after replacing timing belt. Had sensor replaced. Replaced timing belt and water pump. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2010 | 120000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2010 | 122000 | 150 | AC compressor froze (would not turn), causing the engine to stall in idle. Needs front axle work. Rear brake cylinders are leaking |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda in Hawaii, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2012 | 133000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2012 | 133000 | 1251 | Fan control switch failed. Also short in compressor electronics. Shifter binding. |
| Honda in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2012 | 157000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2012 | 161000 | 1188 | A/C Clutch was slipping. Chose to replace whole compressor over just the clutch head. Had to replace the rack and pinion. It was getting ready to fall apart and was causing a serious pull |
| Honda in Kansas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2013 | 108000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2013 | 108000 | 250 | Broken exhaust manifold. Cracked. |
1997 Honda Civic 4-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| Honda in New Jersey, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2007 | 118000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2007 | 121000 | 0 | Check Engine light diagnosed as P0420 - catalyst system efficiency issue. Dealer replaced catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, gaskets, and oxygen sensor #1 as part of Honda extended warranty (Warranty applies to some 1995-1997 vehicles as part of a se |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda in Illinois, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2010 | 210000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2010 | 214000 | 150 | replaced both cv axles |
| Mar | 2011 | 221000 | 120 | replaced resonator |
| Sep | 2011 | 226000 | 350 | replaced muffler, front exhaust pipe replaced battery, alternator |
| Honda in New Jersey, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2010 | 171000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2010 | 172000 | 500 | Ball joints replaced. |
| May | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2008 | 143840 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2009 | 148180 | 230 | Worn CV joint. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
1997 Honda Civic 4-door
4-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Honda in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2011 | 103000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2012 | 114000 | 600 | Replaced alternator & battery |
| Honda in Montana, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 147000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2011 | 150000 | 10 | Mild oil leak, shop recommended replacing worn Pcv valve. |
| Nov | 2011 | 155000 | 70 | Hood release cable snapped. Warranty covered second refurbished transmission. Transmission was slow in engaging from park to drive 3000 miles after installation. |
| Jan | 2012 | 156300 | 0 | Exhaust manifold developed a crack near the oxygen sensor. Since exhaust manifold is welded to catalytic converter. The entire catalytics converter must be replaced. Trying to see if Honda will cover it due to extended emissions warranty. |
| Jun | 2012 | 159000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Honda in Tennessee, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 221000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2011 | 222000 | 360 | oil and coolant leaks, windows not working |
| Oct | 2011 | 226000 | 200 | blower motor for heat/ac failed. |
| Honda in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 155000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2011 | 168000 | 171 | Heat Sink rusted and fell off |
| Mar | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda in Victoria, Australia | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2011 | 89900 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2012 | 90520 | 86 | Problems experienced when braking, shuddering felt in steering column which decreased in frequency as the car slowed down, hence the rotors were changed to see if this would help. |
| Feb | 2012 | 90520 | 0 | Shudder still present when sold, possibly bushings or something else in the steering column. |
| Honda in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2010 | 120000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2010 | 121000 | 540 | Cruise control not working - faulty brake switch (exposed wire) identified as problem. Would cost $60 to fix. Pads and rotors. |
| May | 2011 | 125000 | 90 | Broken exhaust hanger. Welded repair. |
| Jan | 2013 | 143000 | 425 | Battery and terminal cables replaced |
| Feb | 2013 | 143000 | 120 | Significant rust through in exhaust system and muffler. Rear 50% of system replaced. |
| Honda in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2010 | 188000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2010 | 193300 | 10 | The radiator was cracked, possibly because ultra-cold temps froze fluid in upper tank. Attempted to seal the crack with JB Weld, but the weld cracked. Attempted JB Weld 5-10 more times and finally sealed the leak with multiple layers and long cure times. |
| Mar | 2012 | 205000 | 25 | SRS light has been on for years - been told it is related to a "low voltage" error code in the computer. Dealer recommends replacement of SRS computer module, but I'm attempting to replace potentially faulty/coroded wiring. |
| Feb | 2013 | 219000 | 0 | Never fixed SRS problem. One of the reasons I sold the car. |
| Honda in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2010 | 162000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2010 | 163000 | 99 | replaced brake pads and rotors |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2010 | 96000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2010 | 97000 | 350 | CV boot was torn, had to replace front axle. Mechanic recommended replacing both, I only replaced one, other seems fine. |
| Nov | 2010 | 99000 | 300 | Just routine brake pad maintenance, self performed. Replaced rotors pads and drums (metal part), the Shoes/springs were actually fine. |
| Mar | 2011 | 102000 | 224 | replaced axle. |
| Honda in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2009 | 68000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2009 | 71000 | 1500 | Compressor gives noise and needs $1500 to flush AC system and replace compressor. Decided to trade in for a new Accord. |
| Oct | 2009 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
1997 Honda Civic 2-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| Honda in Washington, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2008 | 73000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2009 | 82000 | 55 | Radiator had been leaking for some time and burning off fluid. Replaced the old one with a new one. |
| Apr | 2010 | 90000 | 0 | Catalytic converter was decompressed and loose. Resealed and reattached mainly. Spent $40 to buy a back-up cat for use later. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2009 | 209000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2009 | 210000 | 0 | |
| Sep | 2009 | 216000 | 600 | Car alignment + Replace tires + replace pulley. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda in Washington, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2011 | 131000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2011 | 131000 | 175 | O2 sensor. Removed and replaced. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2008 | 162000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2008 | 163000 | 200 | Window regulator. |
| Jan | 2009 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2009 | 154000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2009 | 154000 | 300 | Left and right front axles replaced - rubber torn. |
| Sep | 2009 | 155000 | 40 | Front brake pads replaced. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Honda in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2009 | 221000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2010 | 224000 | 677 | Car would not start, even a push down the hill and popping the clutch the engine would not run. (sat a week in very cold weather over the Holidays) Replaced battery, plugs, ignition wires, ignition coil and rotor. Runs great again. Hood latch was rusted to the point it would not open. Dealer replaced hood latch assembly. Noticed persistent oil leaks the last month, engine cleaned and re-examined by dealer a week after cleaning: 3 found: cam/crank shaft seals, oil pan, rear main engine seal. ~ $1500 to fix. Due to engine age decided to just check/add oil regularly |
| Mar | 2011 | 237000 | 0 | Major oil leak at base of engine, replaced seal. Torn boot on CV joint replaced (preventative) so it wouldn't cause a problem down the road. Muffler B pipe was just about disintegrated, since dealer had installed muffler it was under warranty and very much cheaper than full cost to repair. |
| Jun | 2012 | 253000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
1997 Honda Civic
4-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Honda in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2007 | 129000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2008 | 133000 | 0 | Replaced radiator. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
Expert 1997 Honda Civic Repair Advice
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What People Are Saying about Problems with the 1997 Honda Civic
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