1997 Honda CR-V: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 108 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (28% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 1997 Honda CR-V. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,470.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2022
“While driving, the vehicle electrical system and engine shuts down including the dash lights, creating a dangerous driving situation.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 honda cr-v. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 20v026000 (air bags) and 02v120000 (electrical system) however, the part to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The local dealer autonation honda hollywood (2400 n state rd 7, hollywood, fl 33021) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1997 honda cr-v. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. An unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 honda cr-v. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger's front seat belts failed to unlatch from the buckle. The vehicle was not yet taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2020
“American honda has been unable to manufacture parts required for airbag replacement. Inadequate quantities produced in a timely manner. A failure of safety in regards to NHTSA recall 20v-026”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 honda cr-v. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags). The contact called big star honda (11200 gulf fwy, houston, tx 77034) and scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle repaired. Upon arrival, the contact was informed that the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact was informed that a second notice would be mailed to vehicle owners when the part was available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 honda cr-v. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer nor the dealer had been notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2020
“Got a notice about the recall in march 2020 and I mailed in the response as requered have not heard anything back still, wonder when I will hear something”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“An airbag safety recall was issued to me on march 2020. I've contacted autonation, sanford, fl monthly since receiving the recall notice. Their service department has repeatedly delayed repair stating the part was not available. My high school senior has been driving this vehicle for four months with a safety defect. What can you do to resolve this safety issue?”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact CR-V by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Honda CR-V reliable?
NHTSA has 108 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Honda CR-V. The most complained-about area is electrical system (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Honda CR-V problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 130,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Honda CR-V have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.