no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS WITHOUT WARNING.
1997 Acura RLProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 19 owner complaints about the 1997 Acura RL, most often about the power train. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 28, 2014. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Acura RL has problems
19 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
4Power train1 crash/fire/injury
4Electrical system
3Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
2Tires
2Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
1Steering
1Vehicle speed control
1Electronic stability control (ESC)
1Engine
22 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 4 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 1 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 1 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 |
| 2 other systems | 2 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
1997 Acura RL recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Control arm: lower ball joint
Risk. THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Acura.
Best & worst years
1997 vs. every other RL year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RL median. How we score
'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'15
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What RL owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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)…
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…
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.
Own a 1997 RL?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.