AcuraIntegra1997Overview/acura/integra/1997/base/

1997 Acura Integra

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

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1997 Acura Integra features a 4-speed automatic transmission and an EPA fuel economy rating of 21/29/24 mpg, requiring 4 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil. In the context of the model's 1990-2026 history, the 1997 year recorded 22 owner complaints and 5 recalls, which is significantly lower than the 206 complaints seen in 2023. While the overall volume of issues is low, the electrical system remains the top complaint area for this specific model year.

Model year202620242023200120001999199819971996

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 economy21/29/24 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 size2 DOOR and 4 DOOR: P195-55VR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim2 DOOR: 6-JJ, 4 DOOR and 2 DOOR OPTIONAL: 5.5-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length172.4 in
Overall width67.3 in
Overall height52.8 in
Wheelbase101.2 in
Curb weight2529 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 57.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 29 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume83 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
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 Integra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.2–7.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.20 sec — 1997 Type R Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1997Type R Coupe 1.8L I-46.20 sec14.80 sec195 hpFWD
1997Type R Coupe 1.8L I-46.60 sec15.20 sec195 hpFWD
1997Type R Coupe 1.8L I-46.60 sec15.10 sec195 hpFWD
1997Type R Coupe 1.8L I-47.00 sec15.30 sec195 hpFWD
1997Type R Coupe 1.8L I-47.00 sec15.50 sec195 hpFWD
1996SE Coupe 1.8L I-47.90 sec16.10 sec140 hpFWD
1998GS-R Coupe 1.8L I-47.30 sec15.60 sec170 hpFWD
1995GS-R Coupe 1.8L I-47.10 sec15.50 sec170 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 firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings23 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings33 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts87 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54, MT: 76 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54, MT: 76 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub134 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 Resistance0.6-0.8 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance12,800-19,200 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.047-0.051 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.40-1.50 lbs
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity4.50-4.70 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)47.0-55.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)38.0-46.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)40.0-47.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)31.0-36.0 psi
Engine Compression135-270. 28 maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket80 ft-lbs / 17 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.060 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.825 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.825 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.75 in

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 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
At 105,000 miTiming Belt (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) · Water Pump (inspect)

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 Acura Integra represents a significant improvement in the model's reliability trajectory: complaints dropped from a peak of 82 in 1994 and 55 in 1995 down to 22 in both 1997 and 1998, then to just 8 in 1999. Recalls remained stable at 5 in 1997 (matching 1995-1996) before dropping to 4 in 1998-1999, indicating the vehicle benefited from earlier quality corrections. The target year's top complaint areas—Electrical System, Air Bags, Visibility, and Service Brakes—show no single dominant defect, though the 5 crash-related complaints warrant attention. Notably, there were zero fire complaints reported for 1997, a positive safety indicator. The data suggests 1997 sits at the low point of the complaint curve for this generation, making it a comparatively solid choice within the Integra's lifecycle.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
26
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
22
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 22 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System5
Air Bags5
Visibility4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Unknown Or Other1
Air Bags,Seat Belts1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

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.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 26 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DORE5C4S092019-07-11SuspensionThis SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of…
BJA461672017-01-01EquipmentSending vehicle data to tech line.
B99-0402015-12-08Fuel System, Gasoline"SERVICE BULLETIN - THIS BULLETIN UPDATES THE TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURES FOR DTC P1456…
SB-07082010-11-01TiresACURA: THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING: TIRE…
020120042004-02-01Air BagsAIRBAG ON OFF SWITCH. *EH

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 Integra. 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 Integra take?

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

Does the 1997 Integra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Integra get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined mpg.