1997 Acura RL: problems, recalls and reliability

“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2009

“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2008

“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 report · Suspension · Mar 2007

“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 report · Tires · May 2006

“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”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2005

“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 report · Electrical System · Jun 2004

“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 report · Power Train · Dec 2003