1997 Honda Civic Honda Civic 1997

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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%)

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%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

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.

1997 Honda Civic

Engine not specified

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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1997 Honda Civic 4-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

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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1997 Honda Civic 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

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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1997 Honda Civic 2-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

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. 
Honda in Washington, United States
Apr 2011 - Jun 2011
May 2011

131000 mi

US $175
O2 sensor. Removed and replaced. 

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1997 Honda Civic 2-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Honda in Texas, United States
Mar 2018 - Jun 2018
Jun 2018

235000 mi

US $10
Replaced busted radiator hose 

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1997 Honda Civic

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Honda in Texas, United States
Jul 2007 - Mar 2010
Jan 2008

133000 mi
Replaced radiator. 

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1997 Honda Civic Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 1997 Honda Civic problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.