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1997 Honda Civic repairs by problem area

Engine (41%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (15%)

Brakes and Traction Control (2%)

Suspension and Steering (7%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (23%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (0%)

Other (13%)

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Chart based on 61 repairs.

See TSBs and recalls for the 1997 Honda Civic.

1997 Honda Civic repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (8%)

$500 - $999 (13%)

$100 - $499 (40%)

< $100 (40%)

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Chart based on 48 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

See repairs for all Honda Civic model years.

Honda in Ontario, Canada May 2012 - Jun 2012
Apr 2012 C $400	Catalytic converter and oxygen sensor.

Honda in North Carolina, United States Jun 2009 - Mar 2010
Jul 2009 162000 mi US $344	Previous mechanic improperly installed crank sensor lead after replacing timing belt. Had sensor replaced. Replaced timing belt and water pump.

Honda in Ohio, United States Jun 2012 - Jul 2012
Jul 2012 161000 mi US $1188	A/C Clutch was slipping. Chose to replace whole compressor over just the clutch head. Had to replace the rack and pinion. It was getting ready to fall apart and was causing a serious pull

Honda in Kansas, United States Apr 2013 - May 2013
May 2013 108000 mi US $250	Broken exhaust manifold. Cracked.

Honda in California, United States Jun 2012 - Jun 2012
Jun 2012 US $700	One of engine heads went crap and engines was overheate. I changed the whole thing. Window could not be opened and closed on the driver side therefore I changed parts. Even after repaires it was hard to open it

Honda in California, United States Jun 2013 - Jul 2013
Jul 2013 97000 mi US $150	Power steering reservoir clogged, killing power steering pump.

Honda in Texas, United States May 2010 - Jun 2011
Jun 2010 122000 mi US $150	AC compressor froze (would not turn), causing the engine to stall in idle. Needs front axle work. Rear brake cylinders are leaking

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Honda in Illinois, United States Aug 2010 - Sep 2011
Nov 2010 214000 mi US $150	replaced both cv axles
Mar 2011 221000 mi US $120	replaced resonator
Sep 2011 226000 mi US $350	replaced muffler, front exhaust pipe replaced battery, alternator

Honda in New Jersey, United States Aug 2010 - May 2011
Sep 2010 172000 mi US $500	Ball joints replaced.

Honda in New Jersey, United States Jun 2007 - May 2008
Aug 2007 121000 mi	Check Engine light diagnosed as P0420 - catalyst system efficiency issue. Dealer replaced catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, gaskets, and oxygen sensor #1 as part of Honda extended warranty (Warranty applies to some 1995-1997 vehicles as part of a se

Honda in Ontario, Canada Oct 2008 - Mar 2010
Jan 2009 148180 mi C $230	Worn CV joint.

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Honda in Victoria, Australia Sep 2011 - Feb 2012
Feb 2012 90520 mi	Shudder still present when sold, possibly bushings or something else in the steering column.

Honda in California, United States Sep 2011 - Jun 2018
Jun 2012 114000 mi US $600	Replaced alternator & battery
Apr 2018 194000 mi US $1000	catalytic converter replaced.

Honda in California, United States Mar 2009 - Oct 2009
Sep 2009 71000 mi US $1500	Compressor gives noise and needs $1500 to flush AC system and replace compressor. Decided to trade in for a new Accord.

Honda in Hawaii, United States Jun 2012 - Mar 2018
Jul 2012 133000 mi US $1251	Fan control switch failed. Also short in compressor electronics. Shifter binding.

Honda in Montana, United States Mar 2011 - Jun 2012
Jun 2011 150000 mi US $10	Mild oil leak, shop recommended replacing worn Pcv valve.
Nov 2011 155000 mi US $70	Hood release cable snapped. Warranty covered second refurbished transmission. Transmission was slow in engaging from park to drive 3000 miles after installation.
Jan 2012 156200 mi	Exhaust manifold developed a crack near the oxygen sensor. Since exhaust manifold is welded to catalytic converter. The entire catalytics converter must be replaced. Trying to see if Honda will cover it due to extended emissions warranty.

Honda in Wisconsin, United States Jun 2017 - Jun 2018
Mar 2018 203000 mi US $60	Replaced the Idle Air Control Valve

Honda in Tennessee, United States Jun 2011 - Nov 2013
Jul 2011 222000 mi US $360	oil and coolant leaks, windows not working
Oct 2011 226000 mi US $200	blower motor for heat/ac failed.

Honda in Pennsylvania, United States Jul 2010 - Mar 2011
Aug 2010 97000 mi US $350	CV boot was torn, had to replace front axle. Mechanic recommended replacing both, I only replaced one, other seems fine.
Mar 2011 102000 mi US $224	replaced axle.

Honda in Colorado, United States Jun 2010 - Feb 2013
Nov 2010 193100 mi US $10	The radiator was cracked, possibly because ultra-cold temps froze fluid in upper tank. Attempted to seal the crack with JB Weld, but the weld cracked. Attempted JB Weld 5-10 more times and finally sealed the leak with multiple layers and long cure times.
Mar 2012 205000 mi US $25	SRS light has been on for years - been told it is related to a "low voltage" error code in the computer. Dealer recommends replacement of SRS computer module, but I'm attempting to replace potentially faulty/coroded wiring.
Feb 2013 219000 mi	Never fixed SRS problem. One of the reasons I sold the car.

Honda in Maryland, United States Nov 2010 - Sep 2018
Dec 2010 121000 mi US $540	Cruise control not working - faulty brake switch (exposed wire) identified as problem. Would cost $60 to fix.
May 2011 125000 mi US $90	Broken exhaust hanger. Welded repair.
Jan 2013 143000 mi US $425	Battery and terminal cables replaced
Feb 2013 143000 mi	Significant rust through in exhaust system and muffler. Rear 50% of system replaced. Interior hood release was broken by shop's vehicle inspection arm. The hood release cable was replaced
Jul 2017 158000 mi	Problem was caused by another repair shop. Hood release no longer smooth, requires significant effort. Problem not fixed.
Aug 2018 168000 mi US $10	AC not cooling. Was low on freon. Recharged system, in time since repair appears to be holding added freon

Honda in Maryland, United States Feb 2011 - Mar 2012
Nov 2011 168000 mi US $171	Heat Sink rusted and fell off

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Honda in California, United States Jul 2009 - Mar 2010
Aug 2009 154000 mi US $300	Left and right front axles replaced - rubber torn.

Honda in Washington, United States Feb 2008 - Jun 2011
Apr 2009 82000 mi US $55	Radiator had been leaking for some time and burning off fluid. Replaced the old one with a new one.
Apr 2010 90000 mi	Catalytic converter was decompressed and loose. Resealed and reattached mainly. Spent $40 to buy a back-up cat for use later.

Honda in New York, United States Sep 2008 - Jan 2009
Dec 2008 163000 mi US $200	Window regulator.

Honda in Texas, United States Apr 2009 - Jun 2011
May 2009 210000 mi
Sep 2009 216000 mi US $600	Car alignment + Replace tires + replace pulley.

Honda in Maryland, United States Oct 2009 - Jun 2012
Jan 2010 224000 mi US $677	Car would not start, even a push down the hill and popping the clutch the engine would not run. (sat a week in very cold weather over the Holidays) Replaced battery, plugs, ignition wires, ignition coil and rotor. Runs great again. Hood latch was rusted to the point it would not open. Dealer replaced hood latch assembly. Noticed persistent oil leaks the last month, engine cleaned and re-examined by dealer a week after cleaning: 3 found: cam/crank shaft seals, oil pan, rear main engine seal. ~ $1500 to fix. Due to engine age decided to just check/add oil regularly
Mar 2011 237000 mi	Major oil leak at base of engine, replaced seal. Torn boot on CV joint replaced (preventative) so it wouldn't cause a problem down the road. Muffler B pipe was just about disintegrated, since dealer had installed muffler it was under warranty and very much cheaper than full cost to repair.