MyCarTSB

1997 Honda Accord Brakes Problems

36 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data

36
Complaints
3
Crashes
Jan 2001Dec 1997
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (36)

mediumSERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Filed: Oct 2010

MY 1997 HONDA ACCORD EX WITH 107,000 MILES THAT I HAD OWNED SINCE BRAND NEW AND HAD SERVICED ROUTINELY DEVELOPED AN ABS BRAKING PROBLEM. MY BRAKES WERE DETERMINED TO BE OK AND THE ABS LIGHT DID NOT COME ON, BUT WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES THEY WOULD MAKE A LOUD AND SLOW "CLICK CLICK" SOUND, THE ABS BUZZING SOUND OCCURRED, THE BRAKES WOULD PUSH UP AND THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD. DEALER REPLICATED THE ISSUE AND DETERMINED THAT IT WAS LIKELY THE MODULATOR NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE ON HERE- PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS! *TR

NHTSA #: 10358843
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Apr 2010

1997 HONDA ACCORD EX FAILED ABS MODULATOR. IT SEEMS THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS PART BEING A HIGH FAILURE ITEM. HONDA JUST SITS BACK AND CHARGES 1300 DOLLARS TO REPLACE A SAFETY ITEM. PLEASE HONDA MAKE THIS A RECALL AND START TAKING CARE OF YOUR CUSTOMERS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10323684
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Sep 2004

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT NORMAL CONDITIONS ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING. DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO CONSUMER ABS MODULE AND SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSES OF $2,200, BUT PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK

NHTSA #: 10091917
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT
Filed: Jul 2004

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF SUBJECT VEHICLE. THE BRAKE SWITCH FAILED WITHOUT WARNING THRICE ON MY 1997 HONDA ACCORD EX WAGON [XXX] WITH 31000 MILES; THE VEHICLE HAS NO BRAKE LIGHTS AFTER BRAKE SWITCH FAILS. PREVIOUS IDENTICAL FAILURES WERE AT 22000 MILES ON 06/18/2002 AND 164K MILES ON 09/29/2000. MY DEALER SAYS THAT SUCH A FAILURE IS TYPICAL AFTER EACH 100-150K MILES ON THESE VEHICLES. WHEN THE BRAKE SWITCH FAILS, THE OPERATOR MUST USE THE "SHIFT LOCK RELEASE" (SLR) TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR FROM THE PARK POSITION. PAGE 105 OF THE OWNS MANUAL MERELY STATES "IF YOU NEED TO USE THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE, IT COULD MEAN YOUR CAR IS DEVELOPING A PROBLEM. HAVE THE CAR CHECKED BY YOUR HONDA DEALER." THERE IS NO MENTION THAT THE CAR MAY NOT HAVE BRAKE LIGHTS. THERE NO DASH INDICATOR NOTIFYING THE DRIVER THAT THERE ARE NO BRAKE LIGHTS: THERE IS NO WARNING OF ANY SORT THAT ALL BRAKE LIGHTS ARE OUT. (THE "BRAKE LAMP" FAILURE DASH LAMP ONLY TELLS IF A BULB IS OUT IF THE BRAKE SWITCH IS WORKING.) THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN FATAL ACCIDENTS. IN THIS LASTEST BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE, I WAS 500 MILES FROM HOME AND OPERATED THE CAR FOR THE NEXT DAY UNAWARE OF THIS CONDITION UNTIL I RETURNED HOME AND WENT TO MY LOCAL DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED BY REPLACING THE BRAKE SWITCH AT A COST OF ABOUT $127. I HAVE MY SERVICE RECEIPTS FROM ALL THREE REPAIRS. *AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA #: 10082536
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jul 2004

I RECENTLY ABOUT 1 1/2 MONTHS AGO HAD MY BRAKE PADS REPLACED, 2 DAYS AGO THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF, I HAVE DONE ALL THE CHECKS AND EVERYTHING IS FINE...ESTIMATED REPAIR RUNS FROM $900-$1500..I HAVE ALSO NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER HONDA OWNERS FOR THE SAME THING I FEEL THAT HONDA NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND GET THIS ISSUE CORRECTED..IT SHOULD NOT BE PLACED ON THE CONSUMER HONDA NEEDS TO STAND UP AND TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE FACT THEY HAVE VEHICLES WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS. *JB

NHTSA #: 10082315
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: May 2004

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA #: 10073745
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,TIRES
Filed: Jan 2004

I PURCHASED THIS 1997 HONDA ACCORD FROM MY MOM (SHE WAS THE ONLY OWNER) IT ONLY HAD 18,000 MILES AT THE TIME. CURRENTLY THE AUTO HAS A LITTLE MORE THAN 40,000 AND THERE IS NOTICABLE TIRE WEAR AND THE BRAKES MAKE A STRANGE CLICKING NOISE WHEN BRAKING.

NHTSA #: 10068803
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 2004

WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED I HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE ABS MODULATOR. THE NOISE REPEATEDLY OCCURS APPROX EVERY 2-3 MINUTES. AFTER APPROX 5 MILES OF DRIVING THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT 2 PARTS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED, THE MODULATOR AND ?. THE COST OF REPAIR WAS 1200 WITH A DEALER DISCOUNT.

NHTSA #: 10069909
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Filed: Sep 2003

ABS SYSTEM WASL LEAKING COST$ 640 TO REPAIR. THEN FOUND THAT ABS MODULATOR HAD FAILED WHICH COST OVER $940 TO REPLACE. WHAT KIND OF BRAKE DESIGN IS THIS? TOTAL RIPOFF. NEVER AGAIN HONDA.

NHTSA #: 10040941
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Filed: May 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION.

NHTSA #: 10018176
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Aug 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, AND WHEN DOING SO, VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND NOT SLOW DOWN AT ALL. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA #: 8017680
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CrashFiled: Aug 2002

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND FLIPPED OVER. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA #: 8017722
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Feb 2002

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN ABS BRAKES WERE APPLIED. DRIVER USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA #: 8003704
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN
Filed: Aug 2001

THE BRAKES MAKE A LOUD CLICKING NOISE (SIMILAR TO THE SOUND HEARD WHEN CARS RUNNING OVER THE SEWER MANHOLE COVER) DURING THE FIRST BRAKE WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A WHILE (2-3 HOURS) OR AFTER THE GEAR HAS BEEN SHIFTED TO REVERSE AND BACK TO DRIVE. DEALER CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA #: 750701
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jun 2001

VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AT AND INTERSECTION. LEG WAS FULLY EXTENDED, AND PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO FLOOR. HALF OF VEHICLE LANDED IN INTERSECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA #: 891442
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Mar 2001

I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ON BOTH MY 9196 AND 1997 ACCORDS AND THEY ACTED FREINDLY AT FIRST THEN DECIDED NOT TO PAY FOR ANYTHING. SO I AM HAING TO GET THE ABS REPAIRED ON BOTH OF THE CARS AT COST TO MYSELF. *AK

NHTSA #: 742103
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Feb 2001

THIS IS MY SECOND ACCORD TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED.

NHTSA #: 741216
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS
Filed: Feb 2001

SRS CONTROL UNIT FAILED ON THE SECOND DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA #: 740343
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jan 2001

THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON, NO PROBLEM FOUND. *SLC

NHTSA #: 558722
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Sep 2000

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED ABS LIGHT ACTIVATED, VEHICLE STILL HAD BRAKING CAPACITY. TOOK VEHICLE TO NEAREST HONDA DEALER IN GOLDSBORO, N.C AND WAS INFORMED ABS MODULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACE QUOTED A COST OF $ 996.00. *AK

NHTSA #: 732487
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Sep 2000

WHILE TRAVELING NOTICED ABS LIGHT ACTIVATED, VEHICLE STILL HAD BRAKING CAPACITY. TOOK VEHICLE TO NEAREST HONDA DEALER IN GOLDSBORO, N.C AND WAS INFORMED ABS MODULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACE QUOTED A COST OF $ 996.00. *AK

NHTSA #: 732487
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Dec 1999

WHILE DRIVING BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, AND HAD NO BRAKING ABILITY AT ALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA #: 853612
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Dec 1999

BRAKES ARE ERRATIC. SOMETIMES WHEN THE PEDAL IS APPLIED THE PEDAL PULSATES AND VIBRATES. THIS IS UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA #: 853537
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jul 1999

I SPENT OVER $800 IN EIGHT MONTHS ON NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. THE PARTS REPLACED WERE ORIGINAL FROM THE DAY BOUGHT MARCH 1, 1997. HONDA OF SCOTTSDALE, HONDA OF TEMPE, AND HONDA OF MESA ALL HAVE KEPT REQUIRED MAINTENANCE RECORDS. AT ABOUT 32K MILES I ASKED SCOTTSDALE HONDA TO CHECK A RATTLING SOUND. THEY SAID I STELL HAD 7500 MILES ON THE BRAKES. AT ABOUT 34K I TOOK IT TO ECONOLUBE N' TUNE BECAUSE I WAS GETTING NO SATISFACTION. HE CHARGED ME $350 AND SAID THE ROTOR COULD NOT BE TURNED ON HIS LATHE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MARY CUTBIRTH, CUSTOMER RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE FOR HONDA IN COLARADO (303-696-3935) SAID TRY TO GET THE CALIPERS BACK BECAUSE THEY WERE UNDER THE 36K MILES WARRANTY. ECONOLUBE N' TUNE THREW THEM AWAY. HONDA WOULD NOT HELP, AT 45K MILES HONDA OF MESA DID THE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION. I TOOK THE CAR BACK BECAUSE I HEARD RATTLING. THEY DID NOTHING. AT 50565 MILES I WAS FEELING SHAKING WHEN I STOPPED. HONDA OF MESA SAID THE ROTOR NEEDED REPLACING WITH BRAKE PADS. IT COST $450. *AK

NHTSA #: 708948
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jul 1999

BRAKES DON'T GRIP, THEY GLIDE AND IN THE RAIN ANDTHEY LOCK. I'VE ALMOST HAD ALOT OF ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS. I HAVE HAD THEM SERVICED THREE TIMES AND STILL NO DIFFERENT RESPONSE. *AK

NHTSA #: 708637
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Jun 1999

FRONT AND THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS KEEP WEARING OUT. CONSUMER HAS TO KEEP REPLACING THE ROTORS. *AK CONSUMER STATED HE HAS SPENT OVER $800.00 IN 8 MONTHS REPLACING REAR AND FRONT ROTORS.*JB

NHTSA #: 841526
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Apr 1999

TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AFTER ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSED PROBLEM IS THAT ABS MODULATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PART COST $963.50 AND LABOR AT DEALERSHIP IS $189.60. THAT IS IN ADDITION TO $59.00 I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. *AK

NHTSA #: 705322
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Nov 1998

WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES THEY SQUEAK AND GRIND TO THE METAL, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA #: 831291
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Oct 1998

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES A CLICKING NOISE OCCURS. DEALER SAYS THE BRAKE PADS ARE SHIFTING IN THEIR SOCKETS, CAUSING THE NOISE, WHICH IS NORMAL. *AK

NHTSA #: 829715
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Oct 1998

WHILE DRIVING ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA #: 828955
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CrashFiled: May 1998

CONSUMER WAS IN DRIVEWAY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE, CAUSING IT HIT A TREE AND AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE DEPLOYED AIR BAGS CAUSED INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA #: 823587
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, AIR
Filed: Feb 1998

BRAKES BECOMING LESS EFFECTIVE AND THAT THEY EMITTED GRIND AND SCREECH WHEN APPLIED, FRONT BAKE PADS CRACKED RIGHT DOWN THE CENTER ALL FOUR OF THEM.

NHTSA #: 531325
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Feb 1998

BRAKE PADS FAILED CAUSING NOISE.

NHTSA #: 531325
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Feb 1998

ABS SYSTEM LOCKS UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID AND VEER TO THE RIGHT.

NHTSA #: 529994
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Dec 1997

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP, CONSUMER HAD TO HIT A CURB. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA #: 819704
mediumSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Filed: Aug 1997

VEHICLE LOST BRAKING ABILITY AND STOPPED BY SCRATCHING THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL TO THE ROAD DIVIDER. THE CAUSE WAS A FAULTY MASTER CYLINDER.

NHTSA #: 521195

Other 1997 Honda Accord Issues