RoadVitals

1997 Acura Slx

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Oct 27, 2008
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jun 3, 1997
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 1997 Acura Slx, most frequently naming the exterior lighting category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 12 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Exterior lighting1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
97V092002

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Jun 3, 1997
873 units potentially affected
The defect: THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINES WERE INSTALLED IMPROPERLY AT THE ASSEMBLY LINE RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND AN UPPER CONTROL ARM OF THE SUSPENSION.
The risk: THE LINE CAN BE DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION AND CAN RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS, AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE LINE AND THE UPPER CONTROL ARM. IF THE CLEARANCE IS NOT ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS, THE BRAKE LINE WILL BE REPLACED.
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.View on NHTSA.gov
97V035002

SUSPENSION

Mar 11, 1997
123 units potentially affected
The defect: THESE VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A LOCK WASHER AND/OR SCREWS IN THE FRONT HUB.
The risk: THE BEARING ADJUSTMENT NUT CAN LOOSEN, RESULTING IN TOO MUCH FREE PLAY BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND AXLE. THE BEARING CAN SEIZE, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO LOCK AFFECTING VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT HUBS TO DETERMINE IF THE LOCK WASHER AND SCREWS WERE PROPERLY INSTALLED. IF NOT, THEY WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS.
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 27, 2008

I HAVE THE 1997 ACURA SLX. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS COMING ON WHENEVER IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE. WHEN THE TEMP IS 30 DEGREES OR LOWER THE HEADLIGHTS COME ON BY THEMSELVES. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO SEE WHAT CAUSES THIS BUT NO ONE CAN CORRECT THE PROBLEM OR EVEN KNOWS WHAT CAUSES THE LIGHTS TO COME ON. AS A RESULT OF LIGHTS COMING ON IT RUNS DOWN THE BATTERY. I HAVE HAD THE CABLE WIRES REPLACED I HAVE PURCHASED NEW BATTERIES AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. DO YOU KNOW WHAT COULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ID
10246866
Incident
Dec 1, 2006

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

BJA46167

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Sending vehicle data to tech line.

Service Bulletin

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Service bulletin - The engine detonates (pings) when you accelerate lightly below 3,000 rpm. The programmed ignition timing causes a non-damaging engine detonation to occur when the intake air temperature is above 140°F (60°C).

SB-0708

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

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 SOFTWARE, NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID, NOTCHY STEERING FEELING. *RM

1003

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

SHIFT SOLENOID IDENTIFICATION. *TT

1002

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

CLEARING ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. OCTOBER TECH LINE INFORMATION. *TT

010702

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THIS ARTICLE MENTIONS THERE IS NO T ON REPLACEMENT TOP PISTON RINGS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Acura Slx by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000100—
1999100—
1998610—
1997Viewing120—
1996321—
1995101—
1994000—
1993000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.