1997 Acura TL Problems
- Complaints
- 23filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 86,260miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Acura TL (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 1997 Acura TL. The part named most often is electrical system, with 8 complaints (35% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (4) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 86,260 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 5 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system8 35%
- Brakes2 8.7%
- Other or unknown2 8.7%
- Air bags1 4.3%
- Engine cooling1 4.3%
- Equipment1 4.3%
- Steering1 4.3%
- Body and structure1 4.3%
Also reported: Suspension (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Although my car is about 20 years old now, I've done a lot of research about the problems I've experienced and it appears cars made from 1997 experienced malfunctioning ignition switches. My key will not start my engine and has gotten stuck inside the cylinder many times. I just replaced the battery as well due to my vehicle stalling when I turn it on. There should be no reason other than the faulty machinery that's giving me all this trouble. Many of the people who have this make, model, and year have expirenced these exact issues. …”
NHTSA complaint #11123319, filed 2018-08, 120,000 milesVehicle speed control: “Was driving at 5 MPH or less noticed an odor of burned wire. Making a right to pull into parking space when consumer saw smoke coming from steering column. Vehicle suddenly accelerated, causing the consumer to hit front of a building that was located at least 12 feet away, and lost control. Dealer cannot determine problem.”
NHTSA complaint #822824, filed 1998-04Transmission and drivetrain: “Automatic transmission keeps popping when changing gears. Brought back for service when under warranty. Transmission fluid was flushed. Problem went away for a month. After a month problem would arise again. This has been going on since purchase of vehicle. I friend was the same model, has the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10110678, filed 2005-02, 20,000 milesBrakes: “Brakes: driving approximately 35mph, slowed down to 10mph to make a right turn and there were no brakes. Pushed pedal to the floor and brakes did not catch , ran into the side of another car, resulting in a collision/injuries and vehicle wa stotalled. This is an intermittent problem which always happens when at low speed.”
NHTSA complaint #821591, filed 1998-03Mileage when problems were reported
17% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 78,500 and 101,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Acura TL. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TL · sedan | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
- 99V227000Aug 19, 1999Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: Acura TL 1996–1998, RL 1996–1999
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A transmission case bolt can loosen and fall out allowing the transmission to disengage from the differential.
- 99V069000May 10, 1999Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball jointCovers: Acura TL 1996–1998, RL 1996–1998, Honda Prelude 1996–1998 +4 more
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.
Recall details for the 1997 Acura TL → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 5 on record; the latest 5 are shown.
- 10193392Jan 1, 2017Equipment. Sending vehicle data to tech line.
- 10211608Mar 18, 2016Equipment. Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
- 10037486Nov 1, 2010Tires. Acura: there are guidelines for various situations and procedures including: tire pressure valve stem installation, trailer stability malfunction light is on, engine oil application guide, new…
- 10012910Feb 1, 2004Air bags. Airbag on off switch.
- 10014061Nov 16, 2002Brakes. Troubleshooting abs or tcs diagnostic trouble code 51 and/or 53.
Other model years of the Acura TL
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 17 | 36,000 | 3 | 4 | 23 | — | Falling |
| 2013 | 62 | 69,503 | 3 | 4 | 23 | 20 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 130 | 55,000 | 3 | 3–4 | 23 | 81 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 20 | 89,500 | 3 | — | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 64 | 62,830 | 3 | — | 21 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 42 | 60,038 | 3 | — | 21 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2008 | 124 | 76,589 | 2 | — | 21 | 61 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 124 | 79,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 247 | 88,000 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 388 | 91,000 | 5 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 551 | 90,000 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 391 | 75,900 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 333 | 64,500 | 7 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 149 | 81,936 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 249 | 110,400 | 6 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 157 | 112,000 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 20 | 77,500 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 23 | 86,260 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 26 | 68,100 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Acura TL model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Acura TL have?
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 1997 Acura TL as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Acura TL is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 8 complaints (35% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 4.
Has the 1997 Acura TL been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Acura TL reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 86,260 miles and the middle half falls between 78,500 and 101,000 miles; 17% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.