HondaAccord1997Overview/honda/accord/1997/base/

1997 Honda Accord

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Accord.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1997 Honda Accord is a mid‑sized passenger car built on Honda’s reliable, well‑regarded platform, powered by a dependable inline‑four that requires a 4‑quart fill of 5W‑30 API‑rated oil; it garnered 484 owner complaints that year, with air‑bag issues topping the list and 15 separate recalls, positioning it in the mid‑tier of the Accord’s long‑running reliability record—far below the 2013 peak of 2,013 complaints in 2003 and well above the recent low of 213 in 2022, indicating a modest but stable reputation for durability over the decades.

Model year202420232022202120202019201820171997

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 500 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24 · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP185-70R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.6 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height54.7 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Curb weight2965 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.1 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Accord of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.80 sec — 1997 LX V-6 Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1997LX V-6 Sedan 2.7L V68.80 sec16.80 sec170 hpFWD
1995LX V-6 Sedan 2.7L V68.50 sec16.50 sec170 hpFWD
1995EX V-6 Sedan 2.7L V68.80 sec16.80 sec170 hpFWD
1994EX Sedan 2.2L I-49.40 sec17.00 sec145 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.6 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts181 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts181 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head Steps2
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts10.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.64-.78 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance41,400-21,600 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.30-1.40 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.30-5.30 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca
Standard BCI Group Number24F

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)38.0-46.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)30.0-37.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket54 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket17 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle28 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
372.3

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake System (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Antilock Brake System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect)
Every 90,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 105,000 miBalance Shaft Drive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1997 Accord sits just below a sharp spike in complaints and recalls that began in 1998, where complaints jumped to 1,239 and recalls rose to 19. In the years surrounding 1997, complaints ranged from 484 in 1997 to 499 in 1996, and recalls were 15 in 1997 versus 13 in 1996, indicating a modest increase but still below the post‑1998 surge. The trend of rising complaints continued into the early 2000s, peaking at 2,013 in 2003, but the 1997 year itself shows a relatively stable profile with no investigations and 83 total serious safety bulletins. In 1997 the top complaint areas—air bags, electrical system, engine cooling, and speed control—accounted for 103, 79, 43, and 31 complaints respectively, and the year recorded 42 crash complaints and 10 fire complaints, which are moderate compared to later years. Overall, the 1997 model offers a comparatively lower complaint and recall burden than the sharp rise that followed, making it a more reliable choice within the same generation.

15
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
83
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
484
Owner complaints
42 involved a crash · 10 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 484 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags103
Electrical System79
Engine & Engine Cooling43
Vehicle Speed Control31
Power Train25
Service Brakes, Hydraulic25
Seat Belts22
Suspension21

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 15 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

06E060000Exterior LightingReported 29/06/2006

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 83 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
070120042004-07-01Engine And Engine CoolingPOOR A/C COOLING DURING HARD ACCELERATION. *EH
050120042004-05-01EquipmentAUDIO UNIT AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM ANTI-THEFT CODES AVAILABLE ON INTERACTIVE NETWORK. *NM
4042004-04-16EquipmentAUDIO, ANTI-THEFT CODES. HONDA. TECH LINE SUMMARY. *TT
2042004-02-16StructureWATER LEAK AT DOORS AND/OR FLOOR. *NM
110120032003-11-01Engine And Engine CoolingHEATER BLOWER MOTOR GETS HOT OR BLOWS A FUSE. HONDA. SERVICENEWS. *TT

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Accord. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 Accord take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 Accord have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 15 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.