AI Damage1997 Acura RL: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Acura RL filed 19 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 19
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 21% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 21% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 16% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 11% of all complaints
- 5 Tires 11% of all complaints
- 6 Electronic stability control 5% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 5% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (21% of all).
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (21% of all).
- Suspension: 3 complaints (16% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Tires: 2 complaints (11% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 19 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Tl 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.
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
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.
Tl 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.
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.
Tl 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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 8,437 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 23% most complained about).
On average one model year of the RL has 21 complaints (20 years in the data). This year has 19, about average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Acura RL?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, suspension. Total complaints: 19. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (16%), won't start (11%), vibration (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Acura RL?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1997 Acura RL from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1997 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.