1997 Acura TL
Only 23 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 23 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 23
- Recalls
- 2
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 1997
None on file
Not enough data
Complaints per year
1997: 23 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 26 |
| 1997 | 23 |
| 1998 | 20 |
| 1999 | 157 |
| 2000 | 249 |
| 2001 | 149 |
| 2002 | 333 |
| 2003 | 391 |
| 2004 | 551 |
| 2005 | 388 |
| 2006 | 247 |
| 2007 | 124 |
| 2008 | 124 |
| 2009 | 42 |
| 2010 | 64 |
| 2011 | 20 |
| 2012 | 130 |
| 2013 | 62 |
| 2014 | 17 |
Known problem areas
Only 23 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Electrical system
8 of 23 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing interior/under dash and wiring.
Show complaint excerpts
My 1997 Acura TL 2.5 spontaneously burst into flames in the area of the starter. This was clearly an electrical problem.
NHTSA ODI report, 2008-07-10
Dt: there was heavy rain the night before the incident occurred. The vehicle was parked in driveway when the consumer got up and went to get in the car and found that the driver's side door, driver side dash , and driver side seat had burned.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-05-23
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-04-27
Also filed under Vehicle speed control
Vehicle speed control
4 of 23 total reports mention: vehicle speed control, most commonly citing linkages.
Power train
3 of 23 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing automatic transmission and park/neutral start interlock switch.
Service brakes
2 of 23 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.
Air bags
2 of 23 total reports mention: air bags, most commonly citing inflator module and frontal.
Safety timeline
2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
1999-05-17Suspension99V069000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.
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R
1999-08-30Power train99V227000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A transmission case bolt can loosen and fall out allowing the transmission to disengage from the differential.
Remedy: Dealers will install a redesigned bolt.
Buy-smart checklist
1997 Acura TL — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 8 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 4 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 3 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 99V069000 · Suspension
- Recall 99V227000 · Power train
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1997 Acura TL reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 1997 Acura TL?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1997 Acura TL have?
- 2 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.