1997 Acura RL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
145,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 19 complaints (15.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 21.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 10.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2002: 5; 2003: 1; 2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10051389 · 2003-12-30 (December 30, 2003)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068783 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
WHINING NOISE - DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS REPLACING
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068783 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10078656 · 2004-06-23 (June 23, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10078656 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10078658 · 2004-06-23 (June 23, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10078658 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106888 · 2005-01-05 (January 5, 2005)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 107,433 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106888 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140963 · 2005-10-27 (October 27, 2005)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 147,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158142 · 2006-05-24 (May 24, 2006)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 89,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158142 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10207956 · 2007-11-05 (November 5, 2007)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 143,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10207956 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
99V069000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Reported: 1999-05-10 (May 10, 1999)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V227000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 1999-08-19 (August 19, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗