What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

1998 Acura CL

Typical pattern

9.1% of complaints about the 1998 Acura CL came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 1998 vehicle — around the middle of the 180 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 9.9 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (17 complaints), typically at 10.8 yr or about 95,000 miles.

Complaints
55
Median age at failure
9.9 yr
Median mileage
95,000 n=29
Crash / fire / tow
7.3% of reports
Safety recalls
5

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
17 reports · 95,000 mi
10.8 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

20V026000 2020-01-17
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupt

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

03V423000 2003-10-27
Electrical system:ignition:switch

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND PREVENT PROPER INTERLOCK OPERATION, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK."

IF THE VEHICLE OPERATOR DOES NOT SHIFT TO "PARK" BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

02V120000 2002-05-16
Electrical system:ignition:switch

ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.

WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

99V069000 1999-05-10
Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint

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 SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.

THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.

98V018000 1998-02-10
Power train:automatic transmission:park/neutral start interlock switch

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES (HONDA ACCORD SEDANS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 18, 1997 TO JANUARY 10, 1998; COUPES MANUFACTURED DECEMBER 11, DECEMBER 15, 1997, AND JANUARY 5, 1998; ACURA 2.3CL MANUFACTURED OCTOBER 22, 1997 THROUGH JANUARY 7, 1998). DURING MANUFACTURING, THE CASTING DIE CAUSED AN IRREGULARITY IN THE RIGHT-SIDE TRANSMISSION COVER. THIS IRREGULARITY CAN LIMIT THE MOVEMENT OF THE PARKING PAWL ACTUATION LEVEL AND PREVENT ADEQUATE ENGAGEMENT OF THE PARKING GEAR PAWL. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN AN INCLINE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED IN "PARK," INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system mileage not reported 9 mo in service
WHEN DRIVING ON FLAT SURFACE AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, 1500RPMS THE VEHICLE WILL JERK AND PULL FOR APPROX. 30 SECONDS OR UNTILL THE SPEED IS CHANGED. THE DEALERSHIP THINKS THAT THE COMPUTER IS THE PROBLEM, WHICH WILL IN SOME CASES AFFECT THE TRANSMISSION. *AK
Electrical system mileage not reported 9 mo in service
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM APPEARS TO CONTAIN A SHORT, ALL LIGHTING (HEAD,DASHBOARD AND TAIL) ALL FLASH IN SINC WITH THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTING WHEN APPLIED. MJS
Electrical system mileage not reported 4.9 yr in service
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH. CONSUMER HAS ATTEMPED TO CONTACT THE ACURA CLIENT SERVICE AND RECEIVES A MESSAGE EACH TIME REPLYING THE OFFICE IS CLOSED. TO DATE THE RECALL REPAIR HAS NOT BEEN MADE, RECALL NOTICE 02V12. *JG *DT

Other CL model years

2003200220011998

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