1997 Honda Accord equipment problems

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

I HAVE NOTICED THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 2+ WINTERS ON MY CAR. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS GOING HOME FROM WORK ON A COLD WINTER NIGHT. I GOT THE FREEWAY AND ACCELERATED TO 55 MPH. I THEN SET THE CRUISE CONTROL (AS I NORMALLY DO IN LIGHT TRAFFIC). I NOTICED THAT THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING A LOT MORE THAN IT SHOULD. I LOOKED DOWN AND NOTICED THAT I WAS DOING 70 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I CONTINUED TO NOTICE THIS ISSUE ALL WINTER. I SET THE CRUISE AT 40 MPH AND NOTICED THAT IT WENT UP BY ABOUT 20 MPH ABOVE THE SETTING BEFORE IT FINALLY STOPPED ACCELERATING AND SETTLED BACK TO THE CRUISE SET SPEED (OR CLOSE TO IT). IN THE WARM WEATHER THIS PROBLEM DISAPPEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10578369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAUSED THE FUSE TO BLOW AND THE AIR COMPRESSOR TO FAIL. SECONDLY, A REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V231000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD); THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 98,000.

NHTSA complaint #10230055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

I HAD TO SPLIT UP MY COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF THE SIZE RESTRICTION ON THE DESCRIPTION FIELD. IN ADDITION TO THE IGNITION COIL PROBLEM DESCRIBED BELOW I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SRS SYSTEM, ABS SYSTEM, WIRELESS ENTRY SYSTEM, AIR CONDITIONER, AND THE AUTO DOOR LOCKS (ALL OF WHICH ARE DESCRIBED IN ANOTHER COMPLAINT). FOR A LONG TIME THE TACHOMETER BEHAVED RANDOMLY. IT WOULD SURGE THEN FALL TO ZERO. FOR PERIODS OF TIME IT BEHAVED NORMALLY. THERE WAS NO PATTERN TO THE BEHAVIOR. INITIALLY THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE WAS NOMINAL. OVER TIME THE ENGINE BEGAN SURGING AND STALLING, NOT NECESSARILY IN RHYTHM WITH THE TACHOMETER, NOR EXHIBITING SUCH BEHAVIOR WHEN THE TACH WAS ACTING UP. AGAIN THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS PATTERN. FINALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON REFERENCING A TRANSMISSION CODE THAT REFERRED TO THE IGNITION COIL. INTERESTINGLY ONCE THE CODE WAS CLEARED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHEN OUT AND DID NOT ILLUMINATE FOR SOME TIME. THE NEXT TIME IT ILLUMINATED IT EVENTUALLY TURNED ITSELF OUT. I FINALLY TOOK THE CAR TO THE DETAILER. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE IGNITION COIL WAS NOT TALKING TO THE TACH AND THE COMPUTER COULD NOT READ THE ENGINE IDLE SPEED. CONSEQUENTLY IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL AS IT EVIDENTLY HAD AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. I AM STILL RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT APPEARS THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR 1997 HONDA ACCORDS' ENGINES SURGING AND STALLING AND IN SOME CASES CAUSING ACCIDENTS. THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT SAFE AND DEFINITELY UNACCEPTABLE. AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, I AM THROUGH WITH HONDA!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10227683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

CONSUMER SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND AIR CONDITION WAS LEAKING. *TS THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT. SHE MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD TAKE 7-10 DAYS FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE. WHEN THE AC LEAKED THE CARPET, FRONT AND REAR, BECAME SOAKED.

NHTSA complaint #10138844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

MY 1997 ACCORD HAS HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER EVERY YEAR ATLEAST TWO TIMES, I NEED TO HAVE SOME PART OF THE AC REPAIRED OR REPLACED, CONTACTED HONDA USA AND ALL I GOT WAS A SORRY, THIS IS THE 7TH HONDA/ACURA VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED AND NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF ISSUE W/ ANY OTHER ONE. HAVE A SPENT WELL OVER 3,000 DOLLORS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR ON AC ISSUES ALONE.

NHTSA complaint #10091357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

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.

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT

THE CONSUMER IS CONCERN BECAUSE THE LUG WRENCH JACK DOES NOT FIT THE AFTER MARKET RIM. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR

NHTSA complaint #8021495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE AIR CONDITION FAILED DUE TO FAN CONDENSOR FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #567516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

SRS AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON PANEL. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. SHE NEEDS A SRS CONTROL UNIT, AND DEALERSHIP DOESN'T HAVE THEM IN STOCK. WATER HAS GOOTEN INSIDE OF RADIO. DRAINAGE COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONER LEAKAGE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER BELIEVES POSSIBLY THE WATER CORRODED SRS COMPUTER MODULE AS THE RESULT OF FAULTY WATER DRAINAGE WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA complaint #880699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

I PAID $467.32 TO REPLACE A PART THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED DURING LIFE OF VEHICLE;THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PART AND HONDA SHOULD REIMBURSE ME. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.

NHTSA complaint #740358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR PREMATURELY FAILED AT 64,000 MILES . *AK THE CONSUMER HAD REPLACED THE EVAPORATOR AND WANTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL PART WAS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA complaint #879594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY A/C DRAINING INTO THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR OF MY CAR. THE WATER FROM MY A/C DRAINS INTO THE CAR AS A RESULT OF BLOCKAGE OF THE DRAIN HOSE ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND ANOTHER DEALERSHIP ABOUT 6 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR. ON 3/14/2000, AFTER REPAIRING THE SERVICE REP. STATED MY A/C SHOULD BE OPERATED IN THE RE-CIRCULATION MODE VICE THE FRESH AIR MODE. I EXPLAINED WE HAVE 4 OTHER CARS PARKING IN THE SAME AREA AS I DO, AND NONE ARE EXPERIENCING AC DRAINAGE PROBLEMS. I ASK THE REP. DOES THAT MEANS ALL HONDA MUST BE OPERATED IN THE RE-CIRCULATION MODE? HER RESPONSE WAS YES, THEY HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT TO ALL THEIR HONDA ACCORDS OWNERS. THE SERVICE REP. STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT TO OPERATE THE AC IN RE-CIRCULATION MODE.

NHTSA complaint #720205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

I HAVE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY A/C DRAINING INTO THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR OF MY CAR. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO THIS DEALER AND ANOTHER DEALER ABOUT 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR. THE SERVICE REP. STATED I SHOULD ONLY OPERATE THE AC IN THE RE-CIRCULATION MODE VICE FRESH AIR MODE. I EXPLAINED WE HAVE ABOUT 4 OTHER CARS PARKING IN THE SAME AREA AS I DO, AND NONE ARE EXPERIENCING AC DRAINAGE PROBLEMS. I ASK THE REP. DOES THAT MEAN ALL HONDA MUST BE OPERATED IN THE RE-CIRCULATION MODE? HER RESPONSE WAS YES, THEY HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT TO ALL OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. THE SERVICE REP. STATED THIS IS NOT AN UNSUAL SITUATION FOR HONDA. IS THAT TRUE?

NHTSA complaint #720140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

I HAVE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MY A/C DRAINING INTO THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR OF MY CAR. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO THIS DEALER AND ANOTHER DEALER ABOUT 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR. THE SERVICE REP. STATED I SHOULD ONLY OPERATE THE AC IN THE RE-CIRCULATION MODE VICE FRESH AIR MODE. I EXPLAINED WE HAVE ABOUT 4 OTHER CARS PARKING IN THE SAME AREA AS I DO, AND NONE ARE EXPERIENCING AC DRAINAGE PROBLEMS. I ASK THE REP. DOES THAT MEAN ALL HONDA MUST BE OPERATED IN THE RE-CIRCULATION MODE? HER RESPONSE WAS YES, THEY HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT TO ALL OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. THE SERVICE REP. STATED THIS IS NOT AN UNSUAL SITUATION FOR HONDA. IS THAT TRUE?

NHTSA complaint #720140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

WATER LEAKED INTO FRONT FLOORING, CAUSED BY "LEAF BUILDUP" IN A/C.

NHTSA complaint #711905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

DIFFICULTY HAVING ELECTRIC A/C CABLES REPAIRED UNDER RECALL DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #543790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

RECALL WORK CAN NOT BE PERFORMED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #543790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL STATES THAT INFANT SEAT SHOULD BE PLACED IN REAR CENTER , THIS CONTRADICTS ALL CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTRUCTIONS, WHEN ARM RESTS ARE PRESENT.

NHTSA complaint #531206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.