- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A transmission case bolt can loosen and fall out allowing the transmission to disengage from the differential.
- The risk
- The vehicle could lose power to the drive wheels without warning. Also, shifting the transmission into the park position would not lock the wheels, and a parked vehicle could move unexpectedly if the parking brake is not set.
- The fix
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED BOLT.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Acura RL Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 1997 Acura RL with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (4) and the electrical system (4). Those complaints describe 2 crashes and 1 injury. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in August 1999 for the automatic transmission. For comparison, the 1996 has 22 and the 1998 has 11.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical RL year, for its age
#138 most complained-about 1997 vehicle
- Complaints
- 19
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1997 Acura RL problems
Share of all 19 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1997 Acura RL recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain vehicles were manufactured with ball joints that can prematurely wear out and, in the worse case, the ball joint would separate causing the front suspension to collapse.
- The risk
- This condition would result in vehicle deceleration and a sudden loss of power. Also steering controllability would be reduced.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.
What owners say
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19 complaints about the 1997 Acura RL
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 acura rl. The contact stated that there was a clicking noise upon turning the steering wheel and it seized several times. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
On-board diagnostic (obd) system is detecting 5 codes p1304-p1305-p1306-p1300-p1399 and I dont think they are the right codes. *Tt
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 acura rl. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the ball joint separated causing the front suspension to collapse. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer advised the contact that his vehicle was previously repaired according to recall# 99v069000 (suspension:front: control arm: lower ball joint) and they would not assume any responsibility for the repairs. The failure and current mileages were 163,000. Updated 10/13/09. *Lj updated 10/14/09.*Jb
Switch would fail to engage after starting. I had to hold the switch between start and on in order to maintain engine running. Drove 70 miles like that until I reached home. It did it once before two years ago, but after spraying with cleaner it stopped. *Tr
Car will not crank every time. We thought it was the battery and put a new battery in and it worked fine for about a week and then started all over again. I talked with acura of memphis and they said it could not be fixed. They said that the 97 3.5 Rl does that sometime and that it has not happened to any other acura vehicle. They said not to worry about it. It may not crank at first, but it will always crank eventually. That is one hell of a way to depend on your car. I put up with it for several months...
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after this until one day my wife got stranded for a long time and was very upset. So after about an hour the car finally cranked and she got home. This is very unsatisfactory. I called the service manager at acura of memphis and told him what the mechanic had told me about it not being able to be fixed and he said that was not right. He knew they could fix it. So, I took my wife's car to them and they kept it for three weeks. After three weeks, they called and said they tried it every day and it cranked fine every time. We asked if they drove it around because it looked to us as if it had not been moved. They said yes, but we did not really believe it. My wife picked the car up yesterday, left memphis and drove to a shop in bartlett. When she came out, it would not crank. Finally after about 10 minutes, it cranked. What if someone had been trying to assault her and she could not get the car cranked to get away. This is not acceptable in our minds. We have driven acura's for over 15 years and have sent many customers to buy acuras because of our satisfaction with the vehicles. Please do the right thing and either fix this car or give my wife a new car that works. I know that may sound ridiculous, but I can promise you that this small expenditure on acuras part will serve you much better than the bad press we will give about acura and its failure to be able to live up to its word that the car can be fixed. Thank you very much for your time. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 acura rl. While pulling into a parking space at approximately 5 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into four parked vehicles. There were no injuries. The insurance company stated that the vehicle was destroyed; however, they did not investigate the failure. The acceleration failure also occurred with the contacts 1986 acura legend, which was caused by a stuck butterfly valve. Police report number 08-007317 was filed. The current and failure mileages were 104,000. Updated 02-19-08 *bf updated 02/19/08 *tr
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 acura rl. The contact heard a loud clicking noise coming from the wheels when the brake pedal was depressed. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the lower ball joints needed to be replaced. He did not have the ball joints replaced because they were replaced at 70,000 miles. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The current and failure mileages were 143,000. Updated 01-29-08. *Kb update
I was driving on the interstate at about 75 mph, when one half of my tire expanded, causing the car to shake violently, and almost forcing me to lose control. The tire was taken off, and replaced with the donut. I will attempt tomorrow to have all 4 of my tires replaced, as they are fairly new (under 10,000) and I no longer feel comfortable driving the vehicle. These were cooper life liner, touring sle tires. Size 215 60r16 95t m+s. *Jb
1) While exiting a shopping mall parking into the street I heard a sudden loud noise followed by a loud grinding sound. My vehicle stopped dead in the middle of the street. When we pushed the vehicle to the curb side, and put it in park it started rolling downhill till I pulled the hand brake. 2) The failure was in the same area for which my vehicle was recalled previously. (99V227000) the spline of the shaft that connects the differential to the transmission had failed. 3) This shaft and the transmission...
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had to be replaced. I have the parts. Note: this failure could have been life threatening due to sudden and unanticipated failure and loss of power. I was lucky that I was not on a highway or main street. *Nm
While consumer was traveling vehicle stopped. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer, and mechanic determined that the passenger front ball joint stud has broken off from the lower ball joint. Mechanic informed consumer that the left and right ball joints needed to be replaced. *Ak updated 4/12/2006 - there was no noise prior to the failure. The passenger side axle also failed. The consumer contacted honda canada for assistance but they refused because the vehicle is being operated in the united states in addition to the vehicle being outside the warranty parameters . *Nm
Turning ignition key, frequently results in no activation of the starter. The dashboard warning lights will illuminate, but there is no starting. Have to turn the key to "off" position, and re-try..Sometimes several times to get car to start. Checked battery terminals..Cleaned, with no change.*Ak
Although unable to locate the specific recall, I understand that honda recalled some vehicles for dashboard lights. My 1997 acura has lost over half of its' dashboard lights, but see no recall on it. Is there a way to see if honda/acura will expand their recall to my vehicle?*Ak
WHINING NOISE - DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS REPLACING
Driver's side front end dropped with no warning at about two miles per hour turning a corner. Problem identified as broken axle. I am concerned that a defective part was involved.
Consumer states that while vehicle was stopped at an intersection, it was hit from the rear.The vehicle suddenly accelerated with driver feet on the brakes. Vehicle was stopped when it impacted a house, and the engine was still revving. Ts
Toyo tire size p21560r16, name spectrum; when traveling 75 mph, chunks of tread flew off the tire. *Ak consumer stated that the tire remained inflated. The damaged area was down to the wire cords. *Scc
Vehicle will not start intermittently. Consumer has to turn key to off position and attempt to crank several times. Vehicle checked by dealer, who could not duplicate problem. *Ak
Brakes failed during test drive at highway speeds, they pulsated, sending the car into violent vibrations. After dealer repaired the noise in all brakes the problem developed again. *Jg
Nhtsa recall id# 98-v-227-000/ manufacturer's recall k60/99-039; while driving suddenly there was a loud grinding noise coming from front end. Vehicle was very sluggish, and trnsmission went out without warning. Dealer was contacted. *Ak
Acura RL: every year compared
All RL years1997 Acura RL vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Acura RL | 19 | 2 | C | |
| 1997 Acura CL | 82 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 1997 Acura TL | 33 | 2 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Acura Integra | 22 | 5 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Acura SLX | 11 | 2 | F | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1997 Acura RL
Does the 1997 Acura RL have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1997 Acura RL: automatic transmission (August 1999); lower ball joint (May 1999). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Acura RL?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (4), electrical system (4), suspension (3).
How many complaints has the 1997 Acura RL had?
19 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 5, 2002 and the latest on July 28, 2014. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 1997 Acura RL a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 52 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Acura RL year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Acura RL years have the most complaints?
2005 (125), 2000 (70), 2002 (59). See every Acura RL year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 Acura RL has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data