RoadVitals

1997 Honda Accord Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
95
Latest Sep 7, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
21%
of 460 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
8
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Honda Accord submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 95 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 95, in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Sep 7, 2023

The contact owns a 1997 Honda Accord. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and attempting to slow down, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality however, the failure became a persistent failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. However, the contact stated that the battery, carburetor, and alternator were replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V120000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11543180
Incident
Jan 15, 2023
Mileage
200,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 30, 2021
Fire reported

While driving car speed starts to fall soon there is no pedal at all and smoke and fire come from underneath dashboard transmission hesitates to shift now currently un safe to drive.

NHTSA ID
11434991
Incident
Sep 30, 2021
BrakesElectricalSuspension
Filed Jun 14, 2020

I TEST DRIVE 1997 HONDA ACCORD AND YOU HAD TO PUMP THE BREAK PADDLE TO SLOW IT DOWN WITHIN 4 BLOCK RADIUS WHEN RETURNING THE GARAGE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING THIS WAS LAST WEEK THIS MONTH JUNE 2020. THEY SELLING THE FOR $1600. THE BLUE BOOK SHOW IT WORTH $800. TO 1200. THIS VEHICLE SERIOUS MECHANICAL ISSU

NHTSA ID
11328759
Incident
Jun 4, 2020
Electrical
Filed Aug 7, 2018

I AM HEARING ELECTRICAL SPARKING SOUND WHEN I TURN IGNITION SWITCH TO START POSITION. THE CAR STARTS ONLY AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. CAR WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID
11118385
Incident
Aug 4, 2018
Mileage
131,377 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 7, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AS THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

NHTSA ID
11118383
Incident
Aug 4, 2018
Mileage
131,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 10, 2018

THE CAR DIES WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES IN MOTION, SOMETIMES STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. THE MECHANIC SAID IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH. THIS WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL PREVIOUSLY IN 2002. I CAN'T TELL IF MY CAR WAS LISTED OR REPAIRED THEN.

NHTSA ID
11084278
Incident
Apr 7, 2018
Electrical
Filed Feb 7, 2017
Fire reported

MY CAR SPONTANEOUSLY BLEW UP ON MONDAY. HADN'T DRIVEN IT IN OVER 2 HOURS. BELIEVE IT FALLS UNDER RECALL NUMBER 98V231000. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS AND REGULARLY MAINTENANCED.

NHTSA ID
10949961
Incident
Jan 30, 2017
Mileage
234,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 16, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

HONDA DEALERSHIP REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. THE ORIGINAL IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED IN THE 2002 RECALL. THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH WAS REPLACED IN 2016 AFTER EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS THAT LED TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL: SILENT STALL. THE FAULTY SWITCH LED TO A STALL AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I WAS REAR ENDED AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE CAR. I HAD TO REACH OUT TO HONDA ASKING THEM TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM AND REPLACE AT NO CHARGE.

NHTSA ID
10850118
Incident
Feb 29, 2016
Mileage
201,300 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 8, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE IF THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10824841
Incident
Feb 8, 2016
ElectricalExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 3, 2015

THIS CAR RANDOMLY SHUTS DOWN AS I AM DRIVING HAVE TAKEN IT TO NUMEROUS PLACES AND NOTHING IS FOUND. SHUT DOWN 6 TIMES IN A ROW LAST TIME WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR ON A DARK HIGHWAY COLD AND RAINING. VERY DANGEROUS!!! THE INSIDE LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF ALL OF THE TIME MOSTLY TURNING CURVES, WASTING BATTERY. NOISE IN THE FRONT WHEELS/TIRES/AXLES LIKE SOMETHING IS WAITING TO BREAK OFF AS YOU ARE DRIVING. OVERHEATED LAST YEAR FOR NO APPARENT REASON COSTING TON OF MONEY. I HAVE REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR TWICE AND STILL THE AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T COOL. I LEAVE THE "AIR" BUTTON ON TO KEEP THE FANS RUNNING SO IT DOESN'T OVERHEAT AS I'M DRIVING. NOT TO MENTION IN THE SUMMER IT IS BLOWING OUT HEAT AND ALL THE WINDOWS DO NOT ROLL DOWN. THIS CAR IS A MESS AND I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER HONDA. THANKS-

NHTSA ID
10808163
Incident
Nov 29, 2015
Mileage
230,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 17, 2015

MY CAR ENGINE SOME TIMES USED TO SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND STOP ABRUPTLY, WHILE SLOWING OR BRAKING. AT TIMES, IT WILL START RIGHT AWAY AFTER CRANKING THE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT, SOME TIMES, REQUIRED SEVERAL TRIES. ABRUPT STOPPING CAUSED EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS THE DRIVERS BEHIND HAD TO MAKE VERY HARD STOPS AND NARROWLY MISSED HITTING REAR END OF MY HONDA. SINCE THE PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING INTERMITTENTLY, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE AND TOOK ALMOST ONE YEAR. FIRST MY MECHANIC THOUGHT IT WAS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE IDLING SPEED CONTROL RELAY, THEN DUE TO BAD IGNITION RELATED RELAY, WHICH WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAULT PERSISTED AND STALLING BECAME MORE FREQUENT. ACTUALLY, THE DEFECT WAS DUE TO WORN OR DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH USE TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF WHILE SLOWING OR BRAKING. AFTER REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO, CAR HAS NEVER STALLED.

NHTSA ID
10716909
Incident
May 15, 2013
Mileage
235,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 5, 2015

ENGINE STALLED SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING, WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. SINCE FIRST OCCURRENCE IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY, SOMETIMES ON THE HIGHWAY AND SOMETIMES WHILE STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. IS VERY DIFFICULT TO RESTART. *TR

NHTSA ID
10714555
Incident
Apr 28, 2015
Mileage
198,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 18, 2015
Fire reported

I WAS BACKING UP. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THEN IT DIED AND STARTED TO SMOKE I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER HOOD, SAW FLAMES FROM BOTTOM OF CAR, TOLD MY DAUGHTER THE CAR IS ON FIRE. WE GOT OUR THINGS AND OUT AND I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10676271
Incident
Jan 12, 2015
Mileage
22,536 mi
ElectricalSeat belts
Filed Jan 7, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO LATCH IN PLACE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY DISENGAGED WHILE IN THE ON POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10670595
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
Electrical
Filed Aug 29, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE O-RING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND AN OIL LEAK NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 98V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.

NHTSA ID
10629338
Incident
Apr 1, 2014
Mileage
183,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 27, 2014

VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. CONTINUED TO STALL AT LOW SPEEDS HIGH SPEEDS COLD ENGINE HOT ENGINE. SINCE IT WAS INTERMITTENT, MECHANIC HAD TROUBLE DIAGNOSING. I FOUND A RECALL ON NHTSA REGARDING THIS PROBLEM IN WHICH THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE WAS TO BLAME. HONDA REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL GIVEN THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT HAD PASSED SO I HAD IT REPAIRED AT MY MECHANICS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10628710
Incident
Mar 27, 2014
Mileage
260,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 18, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V120000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ID
10625949
Incident
Feb 4, 2012
Mileage
15,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 8, 2014

I NOTICED THE PROBLEM ONCE JUST BY ACCIDENT. I WAS STOPPED AT A GROCERY PARKING LOT WITH A SLIGHT SLOPE. I WAS IN A RUSH AND I TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND AS I WAS GETTING OUT OF THE DOOR, THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL. I REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE BUT THE KEY HAD COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. I THOUGHT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SO I AM REPORTING THIS ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10578367
Incident
Oct 19, 2012
Mileage
180,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 11, 2013

DUE TO AN INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA HONDA IS RECALLING SOME OF THEIR VEHICLES FOR FAULTY IGNITION INTERLOCKS. MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL BUT DOES HAVE THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THE KEYS WILL COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAR IS NOT IN PARK. I HAVE HAD A COUPLE OF INCIDENCES WHERE MY CAR HAS ROLLED AWAY BUT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET IN AND STOP IT BEFORE IT HAS STRUCK ANYTHING. THIS IS DANGEROUS. I HAVE TALKED TO HONDA BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX THE IGNITION INTERLOCK IN MY CAR SINCE IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I FEEL THAT SINCE THEY ARE RECALLING SOME MODELS FOR THIS SAFETY CONCERN THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION INTERLOCK MY VEHICLE AS WELL. IS THERE ANYTHING NHTSA CAN DO TO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE? *TR

NHTSA ID
10497730
Incident
Jun 1, 2012
Electrical
Filed Jan 8, 2013

ENGINE JUST TURNS OFF. I AM ABLE TO RESTART IT IMMEDIATELY BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL. THIS HAPPENS 2-3 TIMES IN A WEEK AND THEN IT STOPS OCCURRING FOR A COUPLE WEEKS AND THE REPEATS THE CYCLE. NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. THE LOCAL DEALER SAYS THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD THE "RECALL COMPLETED". MY QUESTION IS WHAT IS MY RECOURSE IF THE PROBLEM IS STILL HAPPENING EVEN AFTER THE RECALL HAS BEEN COMPLETED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10491791
Incident
May 15, 2012
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 15, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V120000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: SWITCH REPAIR WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THE IGNITION FAILURE CAUSED THE MUFFLER TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10470713
Incident
Sep 1, 2011
Mileage
12,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Feb 14, 2012

ON MY WAY HOME ON I-295 MY CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WAS HARD TO STEER AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP IN THE EMERGENCY LANE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A BAD IGNITION SWITCH. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP AND THE PART WAS UNDER RECALL. THE HONDA TECH CALLED ME YESTERDAY AND TRIED TO TELL ME THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE FUSE BOX. MY MECHANIC ALREADY KNEW IT WAS THE SWITCH AND HONDA TOLD ME THE SAME THING WHEN I DROPPED THE CAR OFF. IM NOT SURE IF THEY WERE TRYING TO UPSELL ME OR DENY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10447971
Incident
Feb 11, 2012
Mileage
144,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 24, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD SE (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 45 DEGREES, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUOUSLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000.

NHTSA ID
10378497
Incident
Dec 1, 2008
Mileage
180,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 25, 2010

MY 1997 HONDA ACCORD WOULD OCCASIONALLY NOT START. THEN WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE WILL QUIETLY SHUTOFF WITHOUT STALLING OR MISFIRING. NOW CAR WILL SHUT OFF AFTER STARTING WHEN IGNITION SWITCH GOES BACK TO "RUN' OR "ON" POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10362249
Incident
Oct 1, 2010
Mileage
170,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 5, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE CONTACT TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING PLACED IN PARKED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE BUT THERE WERE NO DAMAGES. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE HAS HAPPENED 4 OR 5 TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,348 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 01/21/11 *BF UPDATED 04/04/11

NHTSA ID
10359228
Incident
Mar 6, 2009
Mileage
90,348 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .