Total Complaints
24 filings
ACURA RL · model year
24 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997ACURARL carries 24 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 RL is suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint with 3 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (2) and service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 1997 RL, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
24 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 2 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
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.
ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC (OBD) SYSTEM IS DETECTING 5 CODES P1304-P1305-P1306-P1300-P1399 AND I DONT THINK THEY ARE THE RIGHT CODES. *TT
Mileage: 155,000
ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC (OBD) SYSTEM IS DETECTING 5 CODES P1304-P1305-P1306-P1300-P1399 AND I DONT THINK THEY ARE THE RIGHT CODES. *TT
Mileage: 155,000
ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC (OBD) SYSTEM IS DETECTING 5 CODES P1304-P1305-P1306-P1300-P1399 AND I DONT THINK THEY ARE THE RIGHT CODES. *TT
Mileage: 155,000
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
Mileage: 163,000
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
Mileage: 261,387
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 TR
Mileage: 148,385
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
Mileage: 104,000
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
Mileage: 143,000
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
Mileage: 89,050
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
Mileage: 147,000
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
Mileage: 107,433
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
Mileage: 107,433
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
Mileage: 107,433
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
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
WHINING NOISE - DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS REPLACING
Mileage: 88,000
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.
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
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
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.