What is the 1992-1999 Honda Civic PGM-FI main relay solder-joint failure causes hot no-start / intermittent stall?

The under-dash PGM-FI main relay powers the ECU and fuel pump. On 1990s Civics the internal circuit-board solder joints crack from years of heat-cycling, opening the connection when the relay is hot. This is the single most notorious electrical failure on the EG/EK-generation Civ… Repairs typically run $40-$200. Severity: high.

What is the 1994-2001 Honda Civic PGM-FI Main Relay Heat-Soak No-Start and Random Stalling (Cracked Solder Joints)?

The PGM-FI main relay (mounted under the dash on the driver's side kick panel or behind the glovebox) supplies power to the fuel pump and fuel-injection computer. Underdash heat causes the internal solder joints to crack over time, breaking the circuit intermittently. The classic… Repairs typically run $30-$180. Severity: high.

What is the 1996-1999 Honda Civic MAP Sensor Failure (1.6L D-Series)?

The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor mounted on the throttle body of 1.6L D16 Civics commonly fails as it ages, losing the ability to hold vacuum or drifting out of its 0.5-4.5V calibration range. Because the PCM uses MAP voltage as the primary load input on these speed-de… Repairs typically run $40-$180. Severity: medium.

What is the 1996-1999 Honda Civic Cracked cast-iron exhaust manifold near the oxygen sensor?

The stock cast-iron exhaust manifold on sixth-generation (96-00) Civics is prone to heat-cycle cracking, typically right next to the front oxygen sensor. On SOHC D16Y7/Y8 cars the catalytic converter is integrated into the manifold, so the crack lets outside air reach the O2 sens… Repairs typically run $250-$700. Severity: medium.

What is the 1992-1999 Honda Civic Distributor Internal Oil Seal Leak (D15/D16 Engines)?

The internal oil seal and rotor shaft bearing inside the Honda-built distributor (TEC/PDM) fail over time, allowing engine oil to seep past the seal and contaminate the distributor cap, rotor, and ignition coil. Once oil reaches the cap interior, it shorts the secondary ignition,… Repairs typically run $80-$450. Severity: medium.

What is the 1992-1999 Honda Civic Rear quarter-panel, wheel-well, and rocker-panel rust-through?

Despite Honda's reliability reputation, 1990s Civics are well known for structural corrosion. Poor rear-quarter ventilation (a single driver-side vent) traps condensation inside the rear quarter panels; it drips into the wheel-well lip and inner rocker, rusting from the inside ou… Repairs typically run $400-$3,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 1996-2005 Honda Civic Idle Air Control Valve Carbon Fouling — Hunting/High Idle and Stalling?

The idle air control valve (IACV) on the throttle body meters the air that bypasses the closed throttle at idle. On D-series Civics it fouls with carbon and the pintle sticks, so the ECU can no longer stabilize idle. Symptoms are a hunting/surging idle, abnormally high idle, or t… Repairs typically run $50-$300. Severity: medium.

What is the 1996-2005 Honda Civic VTEC Solenoid Spool Valve Gasket Oil Leak?

The VTEC spool valve (solenoid) bolts to the side of the cylinder head and uses oil pressure to actuate variable valve timing. Its rubber sealing gasket hardens and shrinks with age and heat, letting engine oil seep out the side of the head/block. The oil often drips onto the exh… Repairs typically run $20-$150. Severity: low.

Honda · Known Issues

1997 Honda Civic Problems: 11 Known Issues

1997 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated August 2026

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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1997 Honda Civic has 11 documented known issues, with 5 rated critical. The most serious are Timing belt neglect destroys interference D-series engine ($400-$2,500 repair), Automatic transmission slipping / harsh shifting (shift solenoid, distributor-oil contamination, torque converter) ($200-$3,000 repair), PGM-FI main relay solder-joint failure causes hot no-start / intermittent stall ($40-$200 repair), Internal distributor failure (ignitor/ICM, coil, and oil-seal leak) causing misfire and hot no-start ($80-$600 repair) and PGM-FI Main Relay Heat-Soak No-Start and Random Stalling (Cracked Solder Joints) ($30-$180 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $20 to $3,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Honda Civic problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1997 Honda Civic has 11 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Timing belt neglect destroys interference D-series engine, Automatic transmission slipping / harsh shifting (shift solenoid, distributor-oil contamination, torque converter), PGM-FI main relay solder-joint failure causes hot no-start / intermittent stall. Of these, 5 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Honda Civic reliable?

The 1997 Honda Civic has 11 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 5 issues are rated critical: Timing belt neglect destroys interference D-series engine and Automatic transmission slipping / harsh shifting (shift solenoid, distributor-oil contamination, torque converter) and PGM-FI main relay solder-joint failure causes hot no-start / intermittent stall and Internal distributor failure (ignitor/ICM, coil, and oil-seal leak) causing misfire and hot no-start and PGM-FI Main Relay Heat-Soak No-Start and Random Stalling (Cracked Solder Joints). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Honda Civic problems?

Repair costs for known Honda Civic issues range from $20 to $3,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Timing belt neglect destroys interference D-series engine, typically costs $400-$2,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 1992-1999 Honda Civic Timing belt neglect destroys interference D-series engine?

All 1990s Civic D-series engines are interference designs and use a rubber timing belt. Honda's interval is 90,000 miles / 72 months on 90-96 cars and 105,000 miles / 84 months on 97+ cars (shorter in extreme climates). Because it's an interference engine, a belt that snaps from… Repairs typically run $400-$2,500. Severity: high.

All 11 Known Issues

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Honda Civic problems?

Is the Honda Civic reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Honda Civic problems?

What is the 1992-1999 Honda Civic Timing belt neglect destroys interference D-series engine?

1992-1999 Honda Civic: PGM-FI main relay solder-joint failure causes hot no-start / intermittent stall#

1992-1999 Honda Civic: Internal distributor failure (ignitor/ICM, coil, and oil-seal leak) causing misfire and hot no-start#

1994-2001 Honda Civic: PGM-FI Main Relay Heat-Soak No-Start and Random Stalling (Cracked Solder Joints)#

1992-1999 Honda Civic: Timing belt neglect destroys interference D-series engine#

1996-1999 Honda Civic: MAP Sensor Failure (1.6L D-Series)#

1992-1999 Honda Civic: Distributor Internal Oil Seal Leak (D15/D16 Engines)#

1996-2005 Honda Civic: VTEC Solenoid Spool Valve Gasket Oil Leak#

1996-1999 Honda Civic: Automatic transmission slipping / harsh shifting (shift solenoid, distributor-oil contamination, torque converter)#

1996-1999 Honda Civic: Cracked cast-iron exhaust manifold near the oxygen sensor#

1992-1999 Honda Civic: Rear quarter-panel, wheel-well, and rocker-panel rust-through#

1996-2005 Honda Civic: Idle Air Control Valve Carbon Fouling — Hunting/High Idle and Stalling#

What is the 1996-1999 Honda Civic Automatic transmission slipping / harsh shifting (shift solenoid, distributor-oil contamination, torque converter)?