1997 Acura TL
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1997 Acura TL. 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 TL. 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
23 complaints3 involved a crash2 involved a fire4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Steering · Wheels
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…
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 battery as well due to my vehicle stalling when I turn it on. There should be no reason other than the faulty machinery that's giving me all this trouble. Many of the people who have this make, model, and year have expirenced these exact issues. I believe you guys have issued a recall which IS why I'm informing the company. Hopefully you can help. Thank you .
- Electrical system
My 1997 acura TL 2.5 spontaneously burst into flames in the area of the starter. this was clearly an electrical problem. *tr
- Electrical system
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…
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 waited 10 minutes later, it started, but only to stall again after 5 minutes.) I had to have tow it to my mechanic but the car started fine when he tried it. he ran a computer diagnostic test but couldn't not find any thing wrong with it. the car work fine for about a week; then it start stalling again. I have to wait from 10 min to an hour sometime for the car to start up again. this problem has cause me to almost get into several wrecks and made other drivers angry at me. I called the dealer and they said my car has some recalls which previous owner had already had it fixed. I do not have the money to bring it to my dealer. and I cannot figure out what IS wrong with it. *nm
- Electrical system
Dt: there was heavy rain the night before the incident occurred. the vehicle was parked in driveway when the consumer got up and went to get in the car and found that the driver's side door, driver side dash , and driver side seat had burned. the floorboard was damaged by dripping plastic. the…
Dt: there was heavy rain the night before the incident occurred. the vehicle was parked in driveway when the consumer got up and went to get in the car and found that the driver's side door, driver side dash , and driver side seat had burned. the floorboard was damaged by dripping plastic. the only hot wire was in the door locking mechanism. the fire would not have happened if there was a fuse operational in the circuit. The battery was almost brand new, and it was almost dead. the caller stated that the only reason the fire died out was because it ran out of oxygen. the manufacturer was called, and has not returned the call. also the caller indicated that the door lock made a noise even after the doors were locked but not all the time. *ak the vehicle was determined unrepairable. *sc *jb
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission keeps popping when changing gears. brought back for service when under warranty. transmission fluid was flushed. problem went away for a month. after a month problem would arise again. this has been going on since purchase of vehicle. I friend was the same model, has the same problem. *jb
- Air bags › Frontal · Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
1997 acura 3.2 TL faulty airbag. my acura recently displayed a srs error. I brought the car into radley acura in falls church where they told me that a potentially faulty airbag IS not covered by acura and that to have the airbag replaced to prevent it from either deploying randomly or not deploying at all it would cost me over $1200. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash · Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.
Digital a/c display stopped functioning. dealer said component cost would be @ $1,600.00 (85% value of car). offered no alternative (after-market, used part). coincided with dash lights going out, indicated gear position (nuetral, reverse, drive, etc).*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission failure on my 97 acura 3.2TL
- Electrical system › Ignition
Called dealership, acura of boardman service dept., said they didn't know what it was and had never heard of ingnition failure being a problem. Did research because of the odd and damaging behavior of the ignition switch to my vehicle and became aware of major recal on ignition switches. However…
Called dealership, acura of boardman service dept., said they didn't know what it was and had never heard of ingnition failure being a problem. Did research because of the odd and damaging behavior of the ignition switch to my vehicle and became aware of major recal on ignition switches. However the recall does not include my specific maker in my specific year but it does include my make and a different year. Will contact acura/honda about having them replace. It IS definitely a hazard! dt
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS light illuminated. took vehicle to dealer, and they stated brakes were good. ABS light IS still coming on, consumer feels there IS a problem because ABS light keeps coming on. please provide any further information.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
The he car was parked in park and shifted by itself down a slight incline which caused it to roll erovov roll d. *Ak
- Structure › Body › Bumpers
While traveling 20-25mph on dry road conditions without prior warning bumper fell off vehicle. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further details.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system · Unknown or other
Engine check light IS on for the 3RD time. acura of memphis, tn has serviced the vehicle for this complaint. lujacks auto plaxa in davenport, ia has serviced this vehicle for this complaint. I have been told by acura dealers service dept that it IS ok for me to drive the vehicle because the…
Engine check light IS on for the 3RD time. acura of memphis, tn has serviced the vehicle for this complaint. lujacks auto plaxa in davenport, ia has serviced this vehicle for this complaint. I have been told by acura dealers service dept that it IS ok for me to drive the vehicle because the problem with the engine check light being on IS due to clogged emission sensors. I am quite afraid to drive the vehicle with the check engine indicator light in. I am currently scheduled to take the vehicle in for the 3RD service for this complaint to acura of lisle, illinois what are my options should this engine light come on for the 4TH time. I certainly am not able to sell this vehicle at this time with the check engine light on and nee to know what my options are?.
- Unknown or other
Since the weather has become increasingly colder the paint in the front of my car has been spontaneously peeling and chipping. No safety defect.
- Suspension › Front › Control arm
Had received recall notice #99v069000. Contacted dealer & set appointment. Took vehicle in. Later picked vehicle up. Questioned about front alignment. Informed none done & wasn't needed. Went to different dealer & informed it should be done after recall repairs. Tires were worn on the edge. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
Vehicle lurched forward / suddenly accelerated, causing a crash. dealer could not determine the cause of the problem. please provide further information. *ak *yc
- Vehicle speed control › Linkages
Vehicle suddenly accelerated, resulting in a minor collision. dealer has been notified. *ak
- Tires › Sidewall
Tire experienced side wall bulge - ( bridgestone 205/60/r15 91A ). *yc
- Vehicle speed control
Vehicle decelerates while driving. oct. 25, 1999 the stalling problem now has happen 7 times.
- Electrical system › Horn
Horn sensors are difficult to locate in emergency situations. please give any further details. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring · Vehicle speed control
Was driving at 5 mph or less noticed an odor of burned wire. Making a right to pull into parking space when consumer saw smoke coming from steering column. Vehicle suddenly accelerated, causing the consumer to hit front of a building that was located at least 12 feet away, and lost control. Dealer cannot determine problem. *Ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Brakes: driving approximately 35mph, slowed down to 10mph to make a right turn and there were no brakes. Pushed pedal to the floor and brakes did not catch , ran into the side of another car, resulting in a collision/injuries and vehicle wa stotalled. This IS an intermittent problem which always happens when at low speed. *ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Windshield wipers do not clear snow from windshield, causing large blind spot on driver's side.
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.
- 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.
- 10014061Troubleshooting ABS or tcs diagnostic trouble code 51 and/or 53.
- 10012910Airbag on off switch.
- 10009256Intermittent sra diagnostic trouble code 1-1 to 1-5, driver's airbag inflator circuit. October tech line information.
- 10009254A/c compressor control logic. October tech line information.
- 10009253Clearing antilock braking system diagnostic trouble codes. October tech line information.
- 10009058Airbag on/off switch application chart. Acura. Tech line summary.
- 10009042Don't test-drive with the malfunction indicator lamp or d indicator on. Acura. Servicenews. April 2004.
- 10005860Air conditioning (a/c) compressor control logic. Acura service news.
- 10004665Letter to service manager regarding ignition switch recall campaign.
- 636758Subject regarding front suspension squeaks in cold weather.
- 629322Information on troubleshooting diagnostic trouble codes p1705, p1768, p0753, p0758.
- 629320Subject regarding a squeal noise at front suspension at low temperature.
- 626607Subject regarding safety restraint system diagnostic trouble code 5-1 through 8-3, internal safety restraint system unit failure.
- 612493Experiencing growling or whining from one or both of the rear wheels when driving.
- 610250Brief information regarding starter motor replacement.
- 605147Customer may complain of 1 - 2 shift.
- 604229Service bulletin on replacing exterior mirror housing.
- 604037Information regarding automatic transmission 1-2 complaints.
- 602354Complaints of brake squeal when you lightly depress the brake pedal.
- 52025The driver's footrest IS too far away.
- 52021Radio interference from the ignition coil(s).
Every Acura TL model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.