HondaCR-V1997Overview/honda/cr-v/1997/base/

1997 Honda CR-V

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

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1997 Honda CR-V features a 4-speed automatic transmission and an engine requiring 4 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, producing an EPA fuel economy rating of 19/23/21 mpg. This model year saw 109 total owner complaints, with the electrical system identified as the top complaint area, and a total of two recalls. Within the model's 1997-2026 complaint history, the 1997 year remains far below the 2018 peak of 2,085 complaints and closely aligns with the 2026 low of 99.

Model year202620242023202220212020201920181997

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
EPA fuel economy19/23/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 410 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 51R · 410 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size205-70R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length177.6 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height65.7 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight3080 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 59.8 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 23 / 21 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

9.4–11.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.40 sec — 1997 SUV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1997SUV 2.0L I-49.40 sec17.00 sec126 hpAWD
1997SUV 2.0L I-410.90 sec18.20 sec126 hpAWD
1997SUV 2.0L I-411.70 sec18.70 sec126 hpAWD
1998EX 2.0L I-410.30 sec17.70 sec126 hpAWD
1999EX 2.0L I-48.60 sec16.70 sec146 hpAWD
1999EX 2.0L I-49.40 sec17.10 sec146 hpAWD
2001SE 2.0L I-410.30 sec17.70 sec146 hpAWD

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, HONDA CVT FLUID OR EQUIVALENT in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilHONDA CVT FLUID OR EQUIVALENT
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.2 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.0 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings23 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts130 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 76 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts8.7 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug33.0 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
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.63-.77 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance12,800-19,200 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.40-1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.33 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance410 cca

Service checks

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
Engine Compression135-178. 28 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ Idle, 50 psi @ 3000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.003-0.005 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket36 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle83 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.063; Rear: 0.063 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.905 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.905 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
263 ft. lbs.63 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5618 ft. lbs

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 60,000 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 miClutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect alignment) · Underbody (inspect)
At 30,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Antilock Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect)
At 105,000 miTiming Belt (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
At 135,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)

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 Honda CR‑V marks the first year of this generation and falls within a relatively stable period: complaints rose modestly from 109 in 1997 to 153 by 2001, while recalls stayed low (1–3 per year) and there were zero NHTSA investigations. The trend shifted dramatically beginning in 2002, when complaints surged to 527, recalls jumped to 16, and investigations appeared for the first time (8 that year), indicating the emergence of significant systemic issues across the generation. In the target year, the top complaint areas were Electrical System (28) and Air Bags (24), followed by Tires and Vehicle Speed Control (7 each), with 10 crash-related complaints and 1 fire complaint recorded. Compared to the subsequent spike in 2002–2008, the 1997 model-year benefits from lower complaint volumes and far fewer recalls, suggesting it experienced fewer widespread defects during its early production phase. This makes the 1997 CR‑V a comparatively safer choice within this generation, provided the specific vehicle has a clean history and the electrical/airbag concerns have been addressed.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
100
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
109
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 109 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System28
Air Bags24
Tires7
Vehicle Speed Control7
Seats6
Engine & Engine Cooling5
Seat Belts4
Power Train3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V026000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 17/01/2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The…

02V120000Electrical System:Ignition:SwitchReported 16/05/2002

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 100 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DORE5C4S092019-07-11SuspensionThis SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of…
070120052005-07-01Electrical SystemSPEEDOMETER SHOPS CAN TRANSFER ODOMETER MILEAGE. HONDA SERVICE NEWS. *TT
4052005-04-16Electrical SystemTRANSFERRING ODOMETER MILEAGE AT ODOMETER R&R. *TT
070120042004-07-01Engine And Engine CoolingPOOR A/C COOLING DURING HARD ACCELERATION. *EH
060120042004-06-01Power TrainREAR DIFFERENTIAL MOANS MOANS WITH BRAKES APPLIED AT LOW SPEED. (4WD) *SC

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 CR-V. 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 CR-V take?

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

Does the 1997 CR-V have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the CR-V get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 23 highway / 21 combined mpg.