no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS WITHOUT WARNING.
1997 Acura TLProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 23 owner complaints about the 1997 Acura TL, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 29, 2018. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Acura TL has problems
23 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
8Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
4Vehicle speed control3 crash/fire/injury
3Power train1 crash/fire/injury
2Service brakes, hydraulic1 crash/fire/injury
1Suspension
1Tires
1Visibility
1Air bags
1Wheels
44 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 8 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 3 |
| Power train | 3 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 2 | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 |
| 4 other systems | 4 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
1997 Acura TL 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 TL 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 TL median. How we score
'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1997 Acura TL safety ratings
1997 Acura TL 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What TL owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS ABOUT 20 YEARS OLD NOW, I'VE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ABOUT THE PROBLEMS I'VE EXPERIENCED AND IT APPEARS CARS MADE FROM 1997 EXPERIENCED MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION SWITCHES. MY KEY WILL NOT START MY ENGINE AND HAS GOTTEN STUCK INSIDE THE CYLINDER MANY TIMES. I JUST REPLACED THE…
MY 1997 ACURA TL 2.5 SPONTANEOUSLY BURST INTO FLAMES IN THE AREA OF THE STARTER. THIS WAS CLEARLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *TR
MY 1997 ACURA TL HAS BEEN ACTING UP. IT WOULD STALL PERIODICALLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING (I.E WHEN I WAS GOING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR RAN JUST FINE; BUT ALL THE SUDDEN I LOSE POWER AND THE CAR STALL. IT ALSO HAPPEN WHEN I TOOK THE INSIDE ROAD.) WHEN I TRIED TO RESTARTED THE CAR. IT WOULDN'T STARTED. I…
Own a 1997 TL?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.