1997 Acura RL
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1997 Acura RL. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1997 Acura RL. Newest first.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. a transmission case bolt can loosen and fall out allowing the transmission to disengage from the differential.
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
Dealers will install a redesigned bolt.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition would result in vehicle deceleration and a sudden loss of power. also steering controllability would be reduced.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.
Owner complaints
19 complaints2 involved a crash1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Steering
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.
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Engine · Fuel/propulsion system
On-board diagnostic (obd) system IS detecting 5 codes p1304-p1305-p1306-p1300-p1399 and I dont think they are the right codes. *tt
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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…
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
- Electrical system
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
- Engine and engine cooling
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…
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 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
- Vehicle speed control
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…
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
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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…
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
- Tires
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…
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
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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.…
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 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
- Power train › Axle assembly · Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint · Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper arm
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…
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
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
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
- Unknown or other
Whining noise - differential needs replacing
- Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
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.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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
- Tires › Tread/belt
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
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
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
- Power train › Automatic transmission
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
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10211608Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
- 10193392Sending vehicle data to tech line.
- 10165333This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for the outer diameter of the ball joint housing being too small. The outer diameter being too small would prevent the part from being installed, and would therefore have no impact on the end user besides time to complete installation.
- 10100462Service bulletin - navigation system information.
- 10099960"Service bulletin - this bulletin updates the troubleshooting procedures for dtc p1456 (evap control system leakage [fuel tank system]) and dtc p1457 (evap control system leakage[evap canister system]). Depending on the model, there are two individual procedures in this bulletin."
- 10037486Acura: there are guidelines for various situations and procedures including: tire pressure valve stem installation, trailer stability malfunction light IS on, engine oil application guide, new software, new transmission fluid, notchy steering feeling.
- 10018038Speedometer shops can transfer odometer mileage. Acura. Servicenews.
- 10016260Cranks won't start, immobilizer light flashes.
- 10014071Odometer accuracy.
- 10014067The homelink system may have test information stored in memory that must be erased before it can be programmed.
- 10013727Navigation system won't map match or gets lost. Acura tech line summary.
- 10009294Buffeting noise with rear window(s) open. Acura. Servicenews.
- 10009256Intermittent sra diagnostic trouble code 1-1 to 1-5, driver's airbag inflator circuit. October tech line information.
- 10009255Keyless remote transmitter inoperative, . Check keyless, ceiling light, ignition key reminder beeper before troubleshooting keyless remote system. October tech line information.
- 10009254A/c compressor control logic. October tech line information.
- 10009253Clearing antilock braking system diagnostic trouble codes. October tech line information.
- 10009043Navi hdds replaced with flash memory cards. Acura. Servicenews. April 2004.
- 10009042Don't test-drive with the malfunction indicator lamp or d indicator on. Acura. Servicenews. April 2004.
- 10009036Srs indicator on after body shop repair. Check for srs diagnostic trouble codes. Acura servicenews. April 2004.
- 10009002Audio unit and navi anti-theft codes available on in. Acura servicenews. May 2004.
- 10005950Poor air conditioner cooling on hard acceleration. Acura servicenews.
- 10005865Ceiling light, ignition key beeper foil keyless entry.
- 10005860Air conditioning (a/c) compressor control logic. Acura service news.
- 10005068Tire noise and/or wind noise can masquerade as a problem with automatic transmission gears. Acura servicenews.
- 10004959Testing brake fluid for petroleum contamination. Various models including 2003 and 2004 NSX and 2004 rsx.
- 10002692Information on finding a vehicle's emission type or group.
- 10002583Straining the automatic transmission fluid to diagnose automatic transmissions.
- 636758Subject regarding front suspension squeaks in cold weather.
- 633353Information regarding the immobilizer system, type 1.
- 629322Information on troubleshooting diagnostic trouble codes p1705, p1768, p0753, p0758.
- 629320Subject regarding a squeal noise at front suspension at low temperature.
- 629312Information on resetting the outside air temp display.
- 626607Subject regarding safety restraint system diagnostic trouble code 5-1 through 8-3, internal safety restraint system unit failure.
- 626550Subject regarding with navigation skystem - rear window tint application tips.
- 626524Subject regarding driver's power window auto-down inoperative.
- 626449Subject regarding engine starts and dies when ignition IS released.
- 626434Information regarding engine dies when the ignition key IS released.*jb
- 625978Subject regarding intermittent electrical problems.
- 623291Subject regarding engine starts and dies when ignition IS released.
- 619898Information regarding vehicles exhibiting a trip odometer that displays three dashe (- - -).
Every Acura RL model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.