1997 ACURA TL Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 complaints

MY 1997 ACURA TL 2.5 SPONTANEOUSLY BURST INTO FLAMES IN THE AREA OF THE STARTER. THIS WAS CLEARLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *TR

Jul 10, 2008

Fire: 1

MY 1997 ACURA TL HAS BEEN ACTING UP. IT WOULD STALL PERIODICALLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING (I.E WHEN I WAS GOING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR RAN JUST FINE; BUT ALL THE SUDDEN I LOSE POWER AND THE CAR STALL. IT ALSO HAPPEN WHEN I TOOK THE INSIDE ROAD.) WHEN I TRIED TO RESTARTED THE CAR. IT WOULDN'T STARTED. I WAITED 10 MINUTES LATER, IT STARTED, BUT ONLY TO STALL AGAIN AFTER 5 MINUTES.) I HAD TO HAVE TOW IT TO MY MECHANIC BUT THE CAR STARTED FINE WHEN HE TRIED IT. HE RAN A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT COULDN'T NOT FIND ANY THING WRONG WITH IT. THE CAR WORK FINE FOR ABOUT A WEEK; THEN IT START STALLING AGAIN. I HAVE TO WAIT FROM 10 MIN TO AN HOUR SOMETIME FOR THE CAR TO START UP AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSE ME TO ALMOST GET INTO SEVERAL WRECKS AND MADE OTHER DRIVERS ANGRY AT ME. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID MY CAR HAS SOME RECALLS WHICH PREVIOUS OWNER HAD ALREADY HAD IT FIXED. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO BRING IT TO MY DEALER. AND I CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. *NM

May 21, 2006

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. THE FLOORBOARD WAS DAMAGED BY DRIPPING PLASTIC. THE ONLY HOT WIRE WAS IN THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM. THE FIRE WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED IF THERE WAS A FUSE OPERATIONAL IN THE CIRCUIT. THE BATTERY WAS ALMOST BRAND NEW, AND IT WAS ALMOST DEAD. THE CALLER STATED THAT THE ONLY REASON THE FIRE DIED OUT WAS BECAUSE IT RAN OUT OF OXYGEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, AND HAS NOT RETURNED THE CALL. ALSO THE CALLER INDICATED THAT THE DOOR LOCK MADE A NOISE EVEN AFTER THE DOORS WERE LOCKED BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS DETERMINED UNREPAIRABLE. *SC *JB

Jul 08, 2005

Fire: 1

CALLED DEALERSHIP, ACURA OF BOARDMAN SERVICE DEPT., SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS AND HAD NEVER HEARD OF INGNITION FAILURE BEING A PROBLEM. DID RESEARCH BECAUSE OF THE ODD AND DAMAGING BEHAVIOR OF THE IGNITION SWITCH TO MY VEHICLE AND BECAME AWARE OF MAJOR RECAL ON IGNITION SWITCHES. HOWEVER THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE MY SPECIFIC MAKER IN MY SPECIFIC YEAR BUT IT DOES INCLUDE MY MAKE AND A DIFFERENT YEAR. WILL CONTACT ACURA/HONDA ABOUT HAVING THEM REPLACE. IT IS DEFINITELY A HAZARD! DT

Nov 07, 2002

HORN SENSORS ARE DIFFICULT TO LOCATE IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Aug 03, 1998

POWER TRAIN

4 complaints

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. *JB

Feb 17, 2005

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON MY 97 ACURA 3.2TL

Dec 13, 2002

THE HE CAR WAS PARKED IN PARK AND SHIFTED BY ITSELF DOWN A SLIGHT INCLINE WHICH CAUSED IT TO ROLL EROVOV ROLL D. *AK

Jul 09, 2001

Injuries: 1

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Jun 19, 2000

AIR BAGS

4 complaints

1997 ACURA 3.2 TL FAULTY AIRBAG. MY ACURA RECENTLY DISPLAYED A SRS ERROR. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO RADLEY ACURA IN FALLS CHURCH WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT A POTENTIALLY FAULTY AIRBAG IS NOT COVERED BY ACURA AND THAT TO HAVE THE AIRBAG REPLACED TO PREVENT IT FROM EITHER DEPLOYING RANDOMLY OR NOT DEPLOYING AT ALL IT WOULD COST ME OVER $1200. *AK

Nov 05, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES, THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *NLM

Jan 09, 2003

AT A 25MPH VEHICLE CRASH DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT FULLY DEPLOY. CAUSE UNKNOWN DEALER NOTIFIED.*AKI

Jun 28, 2002

Crash: 1

UNABLE TO HAVE ON / OFF AIR BAG SWITCH INSTALLED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS,PARTS NOT DEVELOPED YET. *YC

Feb 01, 1999

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

4 complaints

VEHICLE DEACCELERATES 65 MPH UNTIL 0. YH

Sep 28, 1999

VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD / SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING A CRASH. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK *YC

Aug 24, 1999

Crash: 1

VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, RESULTING IN A MINOR COLLISION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

Aug 09, 1999

Crash: 1

VEHICLE DECELERATES WHILE DRIVING. OCT. 25, 1999 THE STALLING PROBLEM NOW HAS HAPPEN 7 TIMES.

Mar 11, 1999

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

2 complaints

ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED BRAKES WERE GOOD. ABS LIGHT IS STILL COMING ON, CONSUMER FEELS THERE IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Aug 21, 2002

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. *AK

Mar 24, 1998

Crash: 1

Injuries: 2

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

FUEL CHARCOAL CANISTER OVERFLOWS AND SPRAYS OVER UNDER CARRIAGE OF VEHICLE. GAS FUMES CIRCULATE INTO CABIN THROUGH AIR CONDITIONER ASPHYXIATING DRIVER AND PASSENGERS WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED. AFTER PARKING CAR IN HOME GARAGE GAS FUMES ARE TOO STRONG TO CLOSE GARAGE DOOR FOR HOURS. THE GAS FUMES ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO BECOME A MAJOR FIRE HAZARD. WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY CAR I BECAME VERY ILL, DIZZY, NAUSEATED, EYES STARTED TO BURN, THAN VISION BLURRED, ALMOST CRASHED AND HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE NOTIFIED ACURA IN OUR LAS VEGAS AND FOUND OUT THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, YET WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *AK

Apr 07, 2000

SINCE THE WEATHER HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY COLDER THE PAINT IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR HAS BEEN SPONTANEOUSLY PEELING AND CHIPPING. NO SAFETY DEFECT.

Jan 31, 2000

VISIBILITY

2 complaints

DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE DOES NOT GO OVER THE END OF THE WINDOW ENOUGH, CAUSING A 7-8" BLIND SPOT.

Feb 09, 1998

WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT CLEAR SNOW FROM WINDSHIELD, CAUSING LARGE BLIND SPOT ON DRIVER'S SIDE.

Apr 29, 1997

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS

1 complaint

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. I BELIEVE YOU GUYS HAVE ISSUED A RECALL WHICH IS WHY I'M INFORMING THE COMPANY. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN HELP. THANK YOU .

Aug 29, 2018

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

DIGITAL A/C DISPLAY STOPPED FUNCTIONING. DEALER SAID COMPONENT COST WOULD BE @ $1,600.00 (85% VALUE OF CAR). OFFERED NO ALTERNATIVE (AFTER-MARKET, USED PART). COINCIDED WITH DASH LIGHTS GOING OUT, INDICATED GEAR POSITION (NUETRAL, REVERSE, DRIVE, ETC).*AK

Jul 27, 2004

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

WHILE TRAVELING 20-25MPH ON DRY ROAD CONDITIONS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING BUMPER FELL OFF VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Jun 29, 2001

SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,SEATS

1 complaint

VEHICLE LOST ALL CONTROL RESULTING IN COLLISION DUE TO POSSIBLE RECALL RELATED FAILURE OF THE BALL JOINTS (99V-069), NO DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DURING COLLISION AND THE HEAD REST FAILED, THE BOTTOM POSTS THAT SUPPORT THE HEAD RESTS, SPLIT THE HEAD OF THE DRIVER THROUGH THE PADDING MATERIAL. *MJS

Jul 10, 2000

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS ON FOR THE 3RD TIME. ACURA OF MEMPHIS, TN HAS SERVICED THE VEHICLE FOR THIS COMPLAINT. LUJACKS AUTO PLAXA IN DAVENPORT, IA HAS SERVICED THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS COMPLAINT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY ACURA DEALERS SERVICE DEPT THAT IT IS OK FOR ME TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT BEING ON IS DUE TO CLOGGED EMISSION SENSORS. I AM QUITE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT IN. I AM CURRENTLY SCHEDULED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE 3RD SERVICE FOR THIS COMPLAINT TO ACURA OF LISLE, ILLINOIS WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS SHOULD THIS ENGINE LIGHT COME ON FOR THE 4TH TIME. I CERTAINLY AM NOT ABLE TO SELL THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND NEE TO KNOW WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE?.

Jun 02, 2000

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE #99V069000. CONTACTED DEALER & SET APPOINTMENT. TOOK VEHICLE IN. LATER PICKED VEHICLE UP. QUESTIONED ABOUT FRONT ALIGNMENT. INFORMED NONE DONE & WASN'T NEEDED. WENT TO DIFFERENT DEALER & INFORMED IT SHOULD BE DONE AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. TIRES WERE WORN ON THE EDGE. *AK

Sep 22, 1999

TIRES

1 complaint

TIRE EXPERIENCED SIDE WALL BULGE - ( BRIDGESTONE 205/60/R15 91A ). *YC

Feb 01, 1999

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

IGNITION/STEERING COLUMN FAILED.

Jul 16, 1998

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

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. *AK

Apr 27, 1998

Injuries: 1

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

ENGINE HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM SLOW SPEED.

Oct 20, 1997

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4.5/5.0

96 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1997 ACURA TL have?

The 1997 ACURA TL currently has 33 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 1997 ACURA TL?

The most common problems reported for the 1997 ACURA TL are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 1997 ACURA TL problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1997 ACURA TL comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.