Model year record

1996 Acura SLX recalls & problems

The 1996 Acura SLX has 2 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (1 complaint).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints3filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicJun 3, 1997

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 97V092002873 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THE LINE CAN BE DAMAGED DURING VEHICLE OPERATION AND CAN RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS, AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Fix: 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.

Seat beltsDec 12, 1996

Rear/other

Recall 96V248002163 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH AN INCORRECT REAR CENTER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY BUCKLE. THE MISBUILD INVOLVED FITTING A BUCKLE FOR ANOTHER MARKET WITH THE CORRECT U.S. SPECIFICATION SEAT BELT.
Risk: SUCH INSTALLATION RESULTS IN A REAR CENTER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE BELT TONGUE CANNOT BE INSERTED INTO THE BUCKLE AND A CONSQUENT INABILITY OF THE SYSTEM TO PROVIDE PROPER OCCUPANT RESTRAINT DURING PANIC BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE OR AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT TONGUE AND BUCKLE AND INCORRECT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1996 Acura SLX 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

SLX

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

SLX

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.2 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
Suspension	1	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	1	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE AND STOPPING DISTANCES WERE INCREASED AS A RESULT. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 97V092002, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES HOSES AND LINES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR.
Feb 28, 2006 · 112,500 miles
Air bags › FrontalCrash
FRONT COLLISION AT 35-40 MPH, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. NO INJURIES.*AK
Apr 8, 2002
Suspension
VEHICLE'S SUSPENSION IS NOT VERY STABLE CREATING THE POSSIBILITY FOR ROLL OVER.
May 12, 1997

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

RISK OF ROLLOVEROpen
CU ATTORNEY (NANCY PERKINS, ARNOLD & PORTER) AND ODI AGREED THAT AN EXTENSION IN THE PETITION REVIEW PROCESS WILL BE NECESSARY TO ALLOW ODI TIME TO CONDUCT A PROPER REVIEW OF THE NEW MATERIAL SUBMITTED BY CU ON DECEMBER 23, 1996.THEREFORE, THE NEW DUE DATE WILL BE APRIL 21, 1997.CONSUMERS UNION (CU) PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE 1995 AND 1996 MODEL ISUZU TROOPER AND ACURA SLX VEHICLES ARE DEFECTIVE WITHIN THE MEANING OF 49 U.S. C. CHAPTER 301.SPECIFICALLY, CU ALLEGED THAT TESTING DEMONSTRATED A DANGEROUS PROPENSITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ROLL OVER WHILE PERFORMING A DYNAMIC STEERING MANEUVER TO AVOID EMERGANCY SITUATIONS.
DP96011 · opened Aug 20, 1996