41 of the 546 complaints about the 1997 Honda Accord are about the braking system — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 82,170 miles.
41
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
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 complaint #11328759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL ON MY CAR, AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING AND THE GAS PEDAL GOT HARD I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK TO STOP IT FROM HITTING A CAR IN FRONT OF ME ALL WHILE THE ENGINE KEPT REVVING, I THEN TURNED OF THE CAR AND WHEN I TURNED IT ON IT WAS STILL DOING THE SAME THING UNTIL I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #10472989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
MY 1997 HONDA ACCORD EX WITH 107,000 MILES THAT I HAD OWNED SINCE BRAND NEW AND HAD SERVICED ROUTINELY DEVELOPED AN ABS BRAKING PROBLEM. MY BRAKES WERE DETERMINED TO BE OK AND THE ABS LIGHT DID NOT COME ON, BUT WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES THEY WOULD MAKE A LOUD AND SLOW "CLICK CLICK" SOUND, THE ABS BUZZING SOUND OCCURRED, THE BRAKES WOULD PUSH UP AND THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD. DEALER REPLICATED THE ISSUE AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS LIKELY THE MODULATOR NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE ON HERE- PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS!
NHTSA complaint #10358843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1997 HONDA ACCORD EX FAILED ABS MODULATOR. IT SEEMS THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS PART BEING A HIGH FAILURE ITEM. HONDA JUST SITS BACK AND CHARGES 1300 DOLLARS TO REPLACE A SAFETY ITEM. PLEASE HONDA MAKE THIS A RECALL AND START TAKING CARE OF YOUR CUSTOMERS.
NHTSA complaint #10323684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I HAVE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS: 1) THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT I NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER AT A COST OF $900. I RESEARCHED POSSIBLE PROBLEMS ON THIS AND OTHER WEBSITES AND HAD LISTED THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS THAT WERE RELEVANT. THE DEALER WAS NOT SO THOROUGH. MY RESEARCH SHOWED THAT HONDA HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEM WITH THESE COMPUTERS ALREADY FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE PROBLEM WAS WITH A SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WHICH WAS MALFUNCTIONING IN SUCH A WAY AS TO LEAVE IN DOUBT WHETHER OR NOT THE AIR BAG WOULD DEPLOY. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT CONSUMERS HAVE TO PAY NEARLY 1,000.00 TO FIX SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS IN A SAFETY SYSTEM THAT HAVE REPEATEDLY NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. 2) MY ABS LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE THE PUMP MOTOR FOR THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD ACTIVATE AND ATTEMPT TO PUMP FLUID IN THE SYSTEM. IT COULD BE HEARD FROM INSIDE THE CAR AS A GRINDING NOISE. IT WOULD CYCLE ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 6 OR SO TIMES THEN THE RELAY WOULD TRIP, TURN OFF MOTOR AND ILLUMINATE THE ABS LIGHT. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE AMS MODULE WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF 1,700.00. RIDICULOUS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS ALSO A COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR. 3) WIRELESS ENTRY SYSTEM FAILED. 4) A/C EVAPORATOR SPRUNG A LEAK 5) DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR AUTO LOCK DOES NOT WORK. THIS CAR IS FAR FROM RELIABLE, AS ADVERTISED TO BE, AND VERY QUESTIONABLE IN THE SAFETY DEPARTMENT. I AM FINISHED WITH HONDA!
NHTSA complaint #10227680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT NORMAL CONDITIONS ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING. DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO CONSUMER ABS MODULE AND SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSES OF $2,200, BUT PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10091917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF SUBJECT VEHICLE. THE BRAKE SWITCH FAILED WITHOUT WARNING THRICE ON MY 1997 HONDA ACCORD EX WAGON [XXX] WITH 31000 MILES; THE VEHICLE HAS NO BRAKE LIGHTS AFTER BRAKE SWITCH FAILS. PREVIOUS IDENTICAL FAILURES WERE AT 22000 MILES ON 06/18/2002 AND 164K MILES ON 09/29/2000. MY DEALER SAYS THAT SUCH A FAILURE IS TYPICAL AFTER EACH 100-150K MILES ON THESE VEHICLES. WHEN THE BRAKE SWITCH FAILS, THE OPERATOR MUST USE THE "SHIFT LOCK RELEASE" (SLR) TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR FROM THE PARK POSITION. PAGE 105 OF THE OWNS MANUAL MERELY STATES "IF YOU NEED TO USE THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE, IT COULD MEAN YOUR CAR IS DEVELOPING A PROBLEM. HAVE THE CAR CHECKED BY YOUR HONDA DEALER." THERE IS NO MENTION THAT THE CAR MAY NOT HAVE BRAKE LIGHTS. THERE NO DASH INDICATOR NOTIFYING THE DRIVER THAT THERE ARE NO BRAKE LIGHTS: THERE IS NO WARNING OF ANY SORT THAT ALL BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT. (THE "BRAKE LAMP" FAILURE DASH LAMP ONLY TELLS IF A BULB IS OUT IF THE BRAKE SWITCH IS WORKING.) THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN FATAL ACCIDENTS. IN THIS LASTEST BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE, I WAS 500 MILES FROM HOME AND OPERATED THE CAR FOR THE NEXT DAY UNAWARE OF THIS CONDITION UNTIL I RETURNED HOME AND WENT TO MY LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED BY REPLACING THE BRAKE SWITCH AT A COST OF ABOUT $127. I HAVE MY SERVICE RECEIPTS FROM ALL THREE REPAIRS. *AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10082536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I RECENTLY ABOUT 1 1/2 MONTHS AGO HAD MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED, 2 DAYS AGO THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF, I HAVE DONE ALL THE CHECKS AND EVERYTHING IS FINE...ESTIMATED REPAIR RUNS FROM $900-$1500..I HAVE ALSO NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER HONDA OWNERS FOR THE SAME THING I FEEL THAT HONDA NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND GET THIS ISSUE CORRECTED..IT SHOULD NOT BE PLACED ON THE CONSUMER HONDA NEEDS TO STAND UP AND TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE FACT THEY HAVE VEHICLES WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10082315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10073745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I PURCHASED THIS 1997 HONDA ACCORD FROM MY MOM (SHE WAS THE ONLY OWNER) IT ONLY HAD 18,000 MILES AT THE TIME. CURRENTLY THE AUTO HAS A LITTLE MORE THAN 40,000 AND THERE IS NOTICABLE TIRE WEAR AND THE BRAKES MAKE A STRANGE CLICKING NOISE WHEN BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10068803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED I HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE ABS MODULATOR. THE NOISE REPEATEDLY OCCURS APPROX EVERY 2-3 MINUTES. AFTER APPROX 5 MILES OF DRIVING THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT 2 PARTS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED, THE MODULATOR AND ?. THE COST OF REPAIR WAS 1200 WITH A DEALER DISCOUNT.
NHTSA complaint #10069909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS SYSTEM WASL LEAKING COST$ 640 TO REPAIR. THEN FOUND THAT ABS MODULATOR HAD FAILED WHICH COST OVER $940 TO REPLACE. WHAT KIND OF BRAKE DESIGN IS THIS? TOTAL RIPOFF. NEVER AGAIN HONDA.
NHTSA complaint #10040941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS SYSTEM WASL LEAKING COST$ 640 TO REPAIR. THEN FOUND THAT ABS MODULATOR HAD FAILED WHICH COST OVER $940 TO REPLACE. WHAT KIND OF BRAKE DESIGN IS THIS? TOTAL RIPOFF. NEVER AGAIN HONDA.
NHTSA complaint #10040941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10018176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, AND WHEN DOING SO, VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND NOT SLOW DOWN AT ALL. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #8017680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND FLIPPED OVER. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8017722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN ABS BRAKES WERE APPLIED. DRIVER USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8003704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE BRAKES MAKE A LOUD CLICKING NOISE (SIMILAR TO THE SOUND HEARD WHEN CARS RUNNING OVER THE SEWER MANHOLE COVER) DURING THE FIRST BRAKE WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A WHILE (2-3 HOURS) OR AFTER THE GEAR HAS BEEN SHIFTED TO REVERSE AND BACK TO DRIVE. DEALER CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #750701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT AND INTERSECTION. LEG WAS FULLY EXTENDED, AND PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO FLOOR. HALF OF VEHICLE LANDED IN INTERSECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #891442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ON BOTH MY 9196 AND 1997 ACCORDS AND THEY ACTED FREINDLY AT FIRST THEN DECIDED NOT TO PAY FOR ANYTHING. SO I AM HAING TO GET THE ABS REPAIRED ON BOTH OF THE CARS AT COST TO MYSELF.
NHTSA complaint #742103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THIS IS MY SECOND ACCORD TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED.
NHTSA complaint #741216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
SRS CONTROL UNIT FAILED ON THE SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #740343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON, NO PROBLEM FOUND. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #558722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED ABS LIGHT ACTIVATED, VEHICLE STILL HAD BRAKING CAPACITY. TOOK VEHICLE TO NEAREST HONDA DEALER IN GOLDSBORO, N.C AND WAS INFORMED ABS MODULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACE QUOTED A COST OF $ 996.00.
NHTSA complaint #732487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED ABS LIGHT ACTIVATED, VEHICLE STILL HAD BRAKING CAPACITY. TOOK VEHICLE TO NEAREST HONDA DEALER IN GOLDSBORO, N.C AND WAS INFORMED ABS MODULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACE QUOTED A COST OF $ 996.00.
NHTSA complaint #732487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, AND HAD NO BRAKING ABILITY AT ALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #853612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES ARE ERRATIC. SOMETIMES WHEN THE PEDAL IS APPLIED THE PEDAL PULSATES AND VIBRATES. THIS IS UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #853537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I SPENT OVER $800 IN EIGHT MONTHS ON NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. THE PARTS REPLACED WERE ORIGINAL FROM THE DAY BOUGHT MARCH 1, 1997. HONDA OF SCOTTSDALE, HONDA OF TEMPE, AND HONDA OF MESA ALL HAVE KEPT REQUIRED MAINTENANCE RECORDS. AT ABOUT 32K MILES I ASKED SCOTTSDALE HONDA TO CHECK A RATTLING SOUND. THEY SAID I STELL HAD 7500 MILES ON THE BRAKES. AT ABOUT 34K I TOOK IT TO ECONOLUBE N' TUNE BECAUSE I WAS GETTING NO SATISFACTION. HE CHARGED ME $350 AND SAID THE ROTOR COULD NOT BE TURNED ON HIS LATHE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MARY CUTBIRTH, CUSTOMER RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE FOR HONDA IN COLARADO (303-696-3935) SAID TRY TO GET THE CALIPERS BACK BECAUSE THEY WERE UNDER THE 36K MILES WARRANTY. ECONOLUBE N' TUNE THREW THEM AWAY. HONDA WOULD NOT HELP, AT 45K MILES HONDA OF MESA DID THE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION. I TOOK THE CAR BACK BECAUSE I HEARD RATTLING. THEY DID NOTHING. AT 50565 MILES I WAS FEELING SHAKING WHEN I STOPPED. HONDA OF MESA SAID THE ROTOR NEEDED REPLACING WITH BRAKE PADS. IT COST $450.
NHTSA complaint #708948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
I SPENT OVER $800 IN EIGHT MONTHS ON NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. THE PARTS REPLACED WERE ORIGINAL FROM THE DAY BOUGHT MARCH 1, 1997. HONDA OF SCOTTSDALE, HONDA OF TEMPE, AND HONDA OF MESA ALL HAVE KEPT REQUIRED MAINTENANCE RECORDS. AT ABOUT 32K MILES I ASKED SCOTTSDALE HONDA TO CHECK A RATTLING SOUND. THEY SAID I STELL HAD 7500 MILES ON THE BRAKES. AT ABOUT 34K I TOOK IT TO ECONOLUBE N' TUNE BECAUSE I WAS GETTING NO SATISFACTION. HE CHARGED ME $350 AND SAID THE ROTOR COULD NOT BE TURNED ON HIS LATHE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MARY CUTBIRTH, CUSTOMER RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE FOR HONDA IN COLARADO (303-696-3935) SAID TRY TO GET THE CALIPERS BACK BECAUSE THEY WERE UNDER THE 36K MILES WARRANTY. ECONOLUBE N' TUNE THREW THEM AWAY. HONDA WOULD NOT HELP, AT 45K MILES HONDA OF MESA DID THE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION. I TOOK THE CAR BACK BECAUSE I HEARD RATTLING. THEY DID NOTHING. AT 50565 MILES I WAS FEELING SHAKING WHEN I STOPPED. HONDA OF MESA SAID THE ROTOR NEEDED REPLACING WITH BRAKE PADS. IT COST $450.
NHTSA complaint #708948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKES DON'T GRIP, THEY GLIDE AND IN THE RAIN ANDTHEY LOCK. I'VE ALMOST HAD ALOT OF ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS. I HAVE HAD THEM SERVICED THREE TIMES AND STILL NO DIFFERENT RESPONSE.
NHTSA complaint #708637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.