1997 Acura RL Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 21%of 19 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 127,216miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Acura RL, 21% of the 19 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 127,216 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10140963, filed 2005-10, 147,000 miles“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. 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 .”
NHTSA complaint #10106888, filed 2005-01, 107,433 miles“Nhtsa recall id# 98-v-227-000/ manufacturer's recall k60/99-039; while driving suddenly there was a loud grinding noise coming from front end. Vehicle was very sluggish, and trnsmission went out without warning. Dealer was contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #8003566, filed 2002-02Related recalls
- 99V227000Aug 19, 1999Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A transmission case bolt can loosen and fall out allowing the transmission to disengage from the differential.Covers: Acura RL 1996–1999, TL 1996–1998
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 13% |
| 2007 | 1 | 5% |
| 2006 | 1 | 3% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 1 | 9% |
| 2003 | 1 | 11% |
| 2002 | 10 | 23% |
| 2001 | 5 | 42% |
| 2000 | 7 | 12% |
| 1999 | 2 | 8% |
| 1998 | 2 | 18% |
| 1997 | 4 | 21% |
| 1996 | 3 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1997 Acura RL
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Acura RL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology