The 1997 Honda Civic has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,449,399 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 452 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS20V0260002020-01-171,439,841 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
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…
AIR BAGS97V1930001997-11-019,558 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED. THE CLOTH FLAPS COVERING THE FOLDED AIR BAG MAY HAVE BEEN TUCKED IN TOO FAR.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG. IN A CRASH, AN IMPROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE FRONT PASSENGER'S AIR BAG MODULE TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
70
10crashes1fires11injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
53
37crashes31injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
23
4crashes
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
20
1crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
19
1crashes
TIRES
17
1crashes2injuries
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
15
4crashes3injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
12
2crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9
2crashes1injuries
Total complaints452
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I got a recall letter saying they don't have my part and I have sixty days to reply but with this virus how and when will they have my part”
“Good day: on 17 march 2020, honda advised me that my 1997 civic is included in nhtsa recall 20v-026, which affects the driver frontal airbag module. In the recall notice, honda said the repair parts are unavailable, and promised to notify me when the defective components become available. More…”
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 1997 honda civic. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, 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 contact owns a 1997 honda civic. The contact received a notification for nhtsa campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact then received a notice that the parts were available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 honda civic. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. Gardena honda located at 15541 s western ave, gardena, ca 90249 was notified of the issue. The contact stated that…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 honda civic. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. Honda of greeley (4535 w. 29th st, greeley, co 80634) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available.…”
“My honda is over 15 years old. Are the airbags safe?”
“My honda is over 15 years old. Are the airbags safe?”
Defect investigations
InvestigationSQ98012 Opened 1998-06-30 · closed 1998-11-02
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Honda Civic as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.