Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1997 Acura RL
NHTSA data on file today
The 1997 Acura RL has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 19 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #99V227000 HONDA/TRANSMISSION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #99V069000 HONDA/BALL JOINTS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 4 complaints
- Power Train 4 complaints
- Suspension 3 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 2 complaints
- Tires 2 complaints
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 1 complaint
Of the 19 complaints on file, 2 report a crash; across all 19 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1997 Acura RL demonstrates issues mainly with its power train and suspension, evidenced by recalls and owner complaints. These problems suggest expensive repairs, both due to manufacturing defects and wear over time.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| automatic transmission | 60,000–100,000 miles | $1,500–$3,000 | common |
| lower ball joint | 50,000–80,000 miles | $400–$700 | common |
| electrical system | 70,000–110,000 miles | $300–$800 | occasional |
| engine cooling | 80,000–120,000 miles | $250–$500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- oil and filter change
- brake fluid replacement
- transmission fluid change
- coolant flush
- timing belt replacement
- spark plug replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- rough shifting gears
- squeaking or creaking noises
- sudden drops in fuel efficiency
- excessive bouncing while driving
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1997 Acura RL at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.