HONDA CR-V · model year

1997 HONDA CR-V

129 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997HONDACR-V carries 129 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 15 crashes, 1 fire, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 CR-V is air bags with 22 filings, followed by electrical system (13) and electrical system:ignition:switch (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 77 investigation files overlapping the 1997 CR-V, and 9 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

129
Complaints
15
Crashes
1
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

129 filings

Crashes Reported

15 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS22
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION7
TIRES6
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
STEERING3
SEAT BELTS3
TIRES:TREAD/BELT3
SEATS3
ENGINE3

Recent Complaints

20220610AIR BAGS

My car started going to the side couldn’t control it

20220610STEERING

My car started going to the side couldn’t control it

20220610ENGINE

My car started going to the side couldn’t control it

20220601AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT

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.

Mileage: 168,470

20210312ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ENGINE SHUTS DOWN INCLUDING THE DASH LIGHTS, CREATING A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION.

Mileage: 155,000

20201202SEAT BELTS

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.

Mileage: 200,000

20201125AIR BAGS

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.

20201125ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

20201016AIR BAGS

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 EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. DARRELL WALTRIP BUICK GMC (1440 MURFREESBORO ROAD, FRANKLIN, TN 37067) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20200919AIR BAGS

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

20200917AIR BAGS

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.

20200813AIR BAGS

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

20200718AIR BAGS

HONDA HAS NOT REMEDIED THEIR AIRBAG RECALL AFTER 7 MONTHS, WHICH SEEMS LIKE PLENTTY OF TIME.

Mileage: 160,000

20200703AIR BAGS

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?

20200527AIR BAGS

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 AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20200521AIR BAGS

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.

20200518AIR BAGS

I RECEIVED A LETTER IN MARCH SAYING THERE IS AN AIRBAG RECALL AND I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PARTS WERE READY. I HAVE SINCE RECEIVED ESTIMATED THREE ROBO-CALLS SAYING MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED DUE TO A DANGEROUS AIRBAG ISSUE AND TO CONTACT A DEALER OR HONDA HEADQUARTERS. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO SAID THERE IS NO PART YET AND NOT TO WORRY . I AM CONCERNED AND ANNOYED ABOUT THESE ALARMING NOTIFICATIONS ABOUT AN IMPORTANT, MAYBE CRITICAL, YET THERE IS NO PART. THIS IS MUCH LONGER THAN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. *TR

20200428AIR BAGS

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.

20200424AIR BAGS

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 MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT ASKED IF THE AIR BAGS COULD BE TURNED OFF OR DEACTIVATED TO AVOID THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AND WAS INFORMED THAT TURNING OFF THE AIR BAGS WAS ILLEGAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR, WILL BE IN 2021. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB

20190913VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR IS TOO LONG, AS IN, IT OBSTRUCTS VIEW OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS.

Mileage: 130,000

Compare 1997HONDACR-V to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 9 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 HONDA CR-V have?
The 1997 HONDA CR-V has 129 NHTSA complaints, 15 crashes, 1 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 HONDA CR-V?
The most-complained component for the 1997 HONDA CR-V is AIR BAGS with 22 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH.
Is the 1997 HONDA CR-V safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.