Air Bags

• Some 1997 Honda Civic HXs may have front passenger air bag modules that were not assembled properly. With the cloth covering the folded air bag tucked in too far, this could cause improper air bag deployment, thus increasing the risk of injury rather than decreasing it during a crash. Authorized dealers can replace the module to prevent this from happening.
  
  

Engine

• Failure of the engine wire harness is an occasional problem on the 1997 Honda Civic HX. It can short out under the intake manifold, causing one of the fuses to fail. This leads to the illumination of the "Check Engine" light and an erratic speedometer. As of May 2010, the cost to repair the engine wire harness is around $10 with $84.50 for labor, excluding diagnostic fees or any applicable sales tax.
  
  

Exterior Lights

• More than a dozen companies that specialize in aftermarket parts made headlights, taillights and/or corner lights for the 1997 Civic HX without amber side reflectors, which violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108. The absence of these reflectors significantly reduces illumination. The manufacturers listed by the Office of Defects Investigation at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are Anzo USA, Poli-Auto, K2 Motor Corporation, Dope, Inc., Pro-A Motors, Inc., Tom Motorsport, Inc., Alfaotto Auto Accessories, E Speed Racing, J&A Auto Accessories, CK Motorsport, Inc., AAI Motorsport, Inc., Tradesonic and Sabersport. It is the responsibility of these manufacturers to either repurchase the lamps or give Honda owners a refund.
  
  

Floor Mats

• The floor on the driver's side of the 1997 Honda Civic HX is designed in a way that causes the original equipment mat to interfere with the accelerator pedal. This could prevent the pedal from returning to the idle position. Authorized dealers must make sure that the mat is issued by Honda. If so, they will install a retention system consisting of a grommet in the mat and a pin bracket in the car.
  
  

Contact for Recalls

• Honda assumes responsibility for the air bag and floor recalls, so they are handled free of charge. They can be reached at 800-999-1009. Owners can also contact the NHTSA Auto Safety Hotline at 800-424-9393.